Serie A | Gameweek 14

Dec 2, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Olimpico

Roma vs. Atalanta BC

Match preview

Roma have been disappointing in Serie A, sitting in the bottom half of the standings with a third of the season played. Their latest Europa League campaign hasn't been much better.

The Giallorossi were lucky to get a draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night. Mats Hummels scored in the 91st minute to give them a slim two-point buffer to the relegation places in the league table.

After a rough start to life in Rome, where he was largely ignored by former bosses Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric, Hummels made up for conceding an early penalty by salvaging a point on Claudio Ranieri's return to England.

However, Roma haven't won any of their last five games, including last week's 1-0 loss at Stadio Maradona. Napoli claimed victory with an almost inevitable goal from former Roma player Romelu Lukaku, spoiling Ranieri's comeback.

So, the capital club have lost their last three league games and could now suffer four straight Serie A defeats for the first time in 16 years. Also, they've got the worst start to a season this century with a tally of 13 points from as many matches so far.

At 73, Ranieri was brought back to the club to help revive it, but he's already had to deal with three managers leaving in under a year. It's a big task, especially with Italy's top six, including Atalanta, playing so well.

As Roma have only managed to pick up one point from the sides' last four meetings before they meet again on Monday, history is not on their side either.

It's clear that the provincial team has overtaken the capital city team in Italy's pecking order. Atalanta has only lost once in their last 10 away games against Roma.

La Dea are also feeling very confident after another convincing win last week. An inspired Charles De Ketelaere – who scored twice in last season's 2-1 home victory over the Giallorossi – played a part in five goals during a 6-1 thrashing of Young Boys.

After winning the Europa League last season, Gian Piero Gasperini's team are still unbeaten in Europe this season. Success in Switzerland means they're one of eight teams in line for a spot in the Champions League's last 16.

That was the latest in a run of seven straight wins across all competitions. Atalanta kept their pursuit of a first-ever Scudetto on track by beating Parma 3-1 last weekend.

The team has been on a roll, with plenty of goals across the board. They've already racked up 28 points, which is the best they've had at this stage of a top-flight season.

They've only won more successive Serie A matches once before – in fact, it was nine times between February and July 2020. But the Bergamaschi are fast closing in on that landmark.

Recent Performance

Roma Serie A form:LLWLLL

Roma form (all competitions):WLDLLD

Atalanta BC Serie A form:WWWWWW

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Team News

Claudio Ranieri was able to include Alexis Saelemaekers in Roma's squad on Thursday, after a two-month absence with an ankle injury. However, the veteran coach will be without Mario Hermoso and Eldor Shomurodov once again.

Rising star Niccolo Pisilli is suspended due to accumulated bookings, so it looks like captain Lorenzo Pellegrini will be back in the hosts' starting XI.

It looks like Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy will be supporting Artem Dovbyk up front, but Saelemaekers, Tommaso Baldanzi and Matias Soule are all in the running for a place on the bench if Ranieri decides to make some changes.

Meanwhile, Gian Piero Gasperini – who's suspended after his latest outburst on the touchline in Parma – is still missing Rome-born Gianluca Scamacca and ex-Roma wing-back Davide Zappacosta, but Nicolo Zaniolo could play a part against his old club.

Giorgio Scalvini, who also suffered an ACL injury, made a quick recovery and is expected to be on the visitors' bench.

Atalanta's top scorer Mateo Retegui – who also leads the Capocannoniere rankings – is the first player in La Dea's history to reach 12 goals at this stage of a Serie A season. Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman, the latter of whom is yet to score against Roma, will complete a potent triumvirate.

Possible starting lineup

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Celik, Kone, Pellegrini, Angelino; Dybala, El Shaarawy; Dovbyk

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui