Probable Formations: Ajax vs Roma

The matches continue to come fast and furious for a Roma side desperate for victory. But, after dropping yet another league result on Saturday, picking up a much needed W will be no easier on Thursday in Amsterdam. Form aside, Roma would be hard-pressed to win this one even if they entered in form due to all of the absences that Paulo Fonseca is dealing with.

The Giallorossi will again be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Chris Smalling who trained individually this week. Meanwhile, Max Kumbulla and Stephan El Shaarawy recently joined those two on the sidelines. Throw in Rick Karsdorp’s suspension due to yellow card accumulation and the Giallorossi will be without three sure fire starters and two key rotation pieces.

In a bit of good news though, Fonseca will regain Gonzalo Villar and Roger Ibañez who were suspended Sunday against Sassuolo. Additionally, after coming off the bench on the weekend Jordan Veretout is fit enough to start tomorrow. Fonseca confirmed that the Frenchman would start in the midfield and confirmed Edin Dzeko as the starting striker.

In addition to a return to the starting XI for those two, Villar, Ibañez, and Bruno Peres should all be part of the match from the start. Peres will take the right wing spot for the suspended Karsdorp. Meanwhile, Villar should slot into the midfield alongside Veretout with Lorenzo Pellegrini pushing into the attacking midfield.

Also, joining Pellegrini and Dzeko in the attack should be Pedro. The Spaniard is out of form, but with Mkhitaryan and SES out injured, the veteran will likely start over Carles Perez.

Rounding out the starting XI will be Pau Lopez in goal, Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini in defense, and Leonardo Spinazzola on the left wing.

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