Coppa Italia | Round of 16

Dec 18, 2024 at 8pm UK

Stadio Olimpico

Romavs.Sampdoria

Match preview

A 2-0 defeat at the hands of a side who last tasted success in September saw Claudio Ranieri's beleaguered Roma sink to a new low on Sunday night, conceding twice in second-half stoppage time in Como.

Now without a win in 15 games away from the Stadio Olimpico - a run that stretches back to the end of April - the Giallorossi have slipped further down the Serie A table and are now just two points above the relegation zone.

In all, they have lost half of their 16 league games so far, which is the capital club's worst record at this stage of the season since 1973.

Ranieri inherited a team in turmoil after Ivan Juric's brief reign turned sour, and the Rome-born coach is clearly struggling to turn things around.

Having recently overseen his first victories since returning for a third spell in charge - against Lecce and Europa League opponents Braga - the 73-year-old has seen them reversed by rookie coach Cesc Fabregas, so another Coppa Italia slip-up would be unacceptable.

It would also be particularly painful to lose to one of his old clubs in the last 16, especially as Sampdoria have fallen even further since his departure.

Since Ranieri left Liguria in 2021, the former Scudetto winners have been relegated to Serie B, where they are currently closer to the relegation zone than the play-off places.

Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to nearby Spezia followed a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of leaders Sassuolo, and Samp, who recently parted company with former coach Andrea Sottil, are 15th in the table after 17 games.

In contrast to their mediocre form in the second tier, the Blucerchiati have been enjoying their run in this season's Coppa Italia, which began with their elimination of Como.

In the second round, Samp overcame city rivals Genoa in a dramatic Derby della Lanterna, with Fabio Borini's late equaliser setting up a penalty shoot-out that the Blucerchiati eventually won 6-5 on penalties.

During the Ligurian club's golden era of the 1980s and '90s, they won the Coppa Italia no fewer than four times in a decade, and Leonardo Semplici's side are now just three wins away from reaching the final.

However, they must first upset the odds by eliminating Roma, with a meeting with AC Milan at San Siro awaiting the winners.

Recent Performance

Roma form (all competitions):LDLWWL

Sampdoria Coppa Italia form:WW

Sampdoria form (all competitions):LLDDLD

Team News

With a must-win league clash against Parma on the horizon on Sunday, Claudio Ranieri will be looking to rotate his squad in midweek, when stars such as Paulo Dybala and Manu Kone could be rested.

Young trio Matias Soule, Tommaso Baldanzi and Niccolo Pisilli are already established names in the hosts' squad and could be in line for a place off the bench.

Leandro Paredes recently returned to training and could feature in midfield, but Bryan Cristante is still struggling with a sprained ankle and Mats Hummels is out with flu.

Meanwhile, Sampdoria's recent change of management means their selection is even more uncertain.

In fact, there are three goalkeepers in contention - all of whom have started this season - but Simone Ghidotti starred on Saturday and could retain his place at the Stadio Olimpico.

Leonardo Semplici has hinted that he may bring in some fresh faces on Wednesday, when the experienced defensive trio of Simone Romagnoli (Achilles), Bartosz Bereszynski (muscular) and Alex Ferrari (knee) will be absent through injury.

Possible starting lineup

Roma possible starting lineup:

Ryan; Mancini, Hermoso, Angelino; Celik, Paredes, Pisilli, Zalewski; Soule, Baldanzi; Dovbyk

Sampdoria possible starting lineup:

Ghidotti; Venuti, Meulensteen, Riccio; Depaoli, Benedetti, Ricci, Akinsanmiro, Ioannou; Borini, Tutino