Probable Formation: Roma vs Lecce
“I think football is in constant motion, constant evolution. Sometimes you move forwards and sometimes you go backwards. I think what Mancini can do on the right, [Evan] Ndicka can do on the left. Why not? I wouldn’t rule anything out. For five minutes or so against Atalanta, Angelino went back to playing in a back three – not because I wanted him to, but because [Lazar] Samardzic was coming inside. Then after the subs we switched back to four. So anything can happen during a game. I think the lads can do anything. Hummels has trained. He’s fine. Hermoso has trained. He’s fine. Cristante’s ankle is still on the mend. It’s blue. We’ll see tomorrow.”
That was Claudio Ranieri’s response to a journalist asking about the availability of Hummels, Hermoso, and Cristante, as well as Mancini’s ability to play fullback in a back four during his pre-match presser. The news of Hummels and Hermoso being fit means that Ranieri will have all four center-backs available for the first time. That lends to the belief that Roma will again line up with a three-man backline featuring Mancini, Hummels, and Ndicka.
The news regarding the attack isn’t as good, though, as Artem Dovbyk is at risk of missing this match due to illness.
“He’s not 100%. He has flu but managed to play against Atalanta. I don’t know if he’ll be available for Lecce – let me be honest about that. I’ll have to give it some thought. I don’t know if he’ll train tomorrow or what shape he’ll be in.”
If he does indeed miss out later today, then Paulo Dybala will likely play as a false nine. Projections from various sources have Stephan El Shaarawy playing in support of the Argentine. Ranieri spoke about Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, who will hope to get back into the starting midfield in this one.
“Pellegrini is training well and that means a lot to me. He’s calm and just needs to keep doing what he’s doing, then I’ll decide for each game. Dybala hasn’t got the intensity but I’m happy with the way he’s played. He’s not a player who gives you intensity – he offers quality. He has to find himself in the right place at the right time between the lines and help the coach and the team that way.
“Lorenzo is a fabulous player from the midfield up. He has vision, a great shot, an eye for goal, the ability to lose his marker, killer passes. The lot. They all train together so that I can pick any of them during the match. I didn’t bring him on because I needed someone who could battle with Atalanta’s players at both ends of the pitch. I see Pellegrini more as an attacking midfielder.”
It’ll likely come down to Pellegrini and Niccoló Pisilli, who returns from suspension last match to complete the midfield trio. Whoever Ranieri goes with will join Leandro Paredes and Manu Koné, as the Argentine seems to find himself with a new lease on life after the arrival of Ranieri.
“We’ll see. We can all see what a top player Paredes is. Everyone can see that. I hope he can maintain this level. He’s had two amazing games so I don’t see why I should change at the moment. But what a coach says one day can change the next. Football is changing constantly. Nothing is set in stone. We need to keep our eyes open and see what’s best for the team. Right now the team is doing well with those two.”
Lastly, Alexis Saelemaekers appears to have the leg up on Zeki Çelik on the right, while Angeliño will continue to be omnipresent on the left flank.
ROMA (3-5-2): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Koné, Paredes; Pisilli, Angeliño; El Shaarawy, Dybala.
