Claudio Ranieri is again at Roma and marks his return in opposition to Napoli within the Derby del Sole.
Sunday’s conflict on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona pits two groups with contrasting trajectories in opposition to each other.
, beneath the stewardship of Ranieri for the third time, face a stern check of their first match since his return to the bench. In the meantime, , managed by Antonio Conte, are chasing their second Scudetto in three years and can look to solidify their lead on the high of Serie A.
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 18.00 CET on Sunday.
Roma
Sitting twelfth in Serie A, Roma made their third managerial swap of the season after they dismissed Ivan Juric on November tenth. With simply three league wins beneath their belt, Claudio Ranieri’s return comes at an important juncture, with the capital membership winless of their final 9 league away matches.
The Giallorossi’s dismal street type this season—simply 4 factors in six away video games—has contributed to their early struggles: solely Lecce (1 level), Venezia (2 factors) and Hellas Verona (3 factors) have carried out worse away from house.
“I thank the followers for the belief they’ve positioned in me. The love I’ve acquired has been fantastic and I’m very grateful,” Ranieri instructed reporters previous to the match.
“I’ve at all times felt stress and it could be a nasty factor if I didn’t. In any other case, I wouldn’t have chosen to return again. The staff wants everybody. They’ve carried out poorly, they’ve carried out worse, however now they should get again to doing what they know finest. It’s not a few magician.”
Including, “It’s a few regular particular person giving them confidence and slowly fixing the issues of a ‘sick’ staff if they’re certainly ‘sick’.”
Tactically, Ranieri will undoubtedly shift Roma to a four-man defence—ditching the three-man backline most well-liked by predecessor. Veteran defender is accessible regardless of a current bout of sickness. Nonetheless, Ranieri might need to navigate his debut with out , who continues to get better from hamstring discomfort.
The long-awaited return of from an ankle fracture offers some optimism, although the Belgian nonetheless wants every week or two earlier than he’s game-ready.
Napoli
Sitting high of the desk, league leaders Napoli encountered a slight dip in type previous to the worldwide break. After a streak of 21 consecutive house wins in Serie A, Antonio Conte’s males fell of their most up-to-date house conflict in opposition to Atalanta earlier than being held to a draw by defending league champions Inter.
Although, Conte gained’t lack confidence contemplating he’s solely misplaced two consecutive house video games as soon as in his total managerial profession: occurring in November 2009 when he was answerable for Atalanta, shedding to Juventus and Roma.
“I’m happy to fulfill Claudio once more, I’ve nice respect for him,” commented Conte throughout his pre-match press convention.
“I’m pleased for him, I believed he would return to the bench for a nationwide staff however we all know that the window of the guts for Rome and Cagliari would have remained open and I’m additionally pleased for his household. Although, I hope he will get off to a powerful begin solely after having confronted us.”
He continued, “There is a crucial enter when a staff opts to make a managerial swap. They’re on their third coach this season, we knew roughly how they have been arrange earlier than. Now Roma is an enigma, a query mark, we have no idea learn how to face them.”
With a virtually full squad wholesome, Conte has loads of choices at his disposal to counter the guests. Romelu Lukaku, who loved a prolific marketing campaign on mortgage at Roma final season, is about to steer Napoli’s line in opposition to his former membership, flanked by the dynamic Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano.
The Partenopei may also profit from the work charge and creativity of Scott McTominay in midfield, whereas the ever-reliable Stanislav Lobotka anchors their play.
Predicted Lineups
NAPOLI (4-2-3-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku
Unavailable:
ROMA (4-5-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Angeliño; Soulé, Cristante, Koné, Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Dovbyk
Unavailable: Alexis Saelemaekers, Eldor Shomurodov, Mario Hermoso