Stadio Olimpico forms the backdrop as top-four Serie A hopefuls Roma and newly-promoted Cremonese go head-to-head in their first meeting since 1996. Somewhat expectedly, the sides experienced contrasting fortunes on the opening weekend as we take a closer look at the upcoming Monday clash between ‘David and Goliath.’
Inspired by a raft of high-profile summer signings, Roma claimed a 1-0 win away to Salernitana, courtesy of Bryan Cristante’s first-half strike from the edge of the box. For the fourth season in a row, a midfielder has opened the Giallorossi account in a new Serie A campaign, helping marquee summer arrival Paulo Dybala win on his debut for Roma.
After ending a 26-year hiatus from Serie A, Cremonese showed they are not back just as spectators. Despite eventually going down 3-2 at Fiorentina on matchday one, thanks to Ionut Radu’s epic howler in the final seconds of the match, Massimiliano Alvini’s men demonstrated some attacking brilliance and a great team spirit at Artemio Franchi.
It’s been a busy summer for Roma. In addition to Dybala, Nemanja Matic, Mile Svilar and Georginio Wijnaldum have joined Jose Mourinho’s side. Promoted Cremonese weren’t taking any chances, as they’ve captured as many as 18 new players in the summer, including two headline Nigerian signings, Cyriel Dessers and David Okereke.
Match Preview
Roma
The abovementioned triumph at Salernitana, combined with a 3-0 demolition of Torino on the final day of last season, means Roma have kept back-to-back league clean sheets for the first time since 2018. It was long coming, pretty much since the day they decided to appoint Mourinho as their new chief of staff.
Mourinho is chasing a piece of history. After navigating Roma to consecutive wins at the start of the 2021/22 campaign, he could become only the third Giallorossi boss in a three-points-per-win era to win two opening league fixtures in back-to-back seasons. And there’s plenty to look forward to if you’re a Roma fan on Monday.
Though their most recent Serie A clash against Cremonese dates back to 1996, Roma boast a resounding all-time H2H record in the competition. They’ve won ten of their 14 previous top-flight clashes against this opposition (D2, L2), including the last three in a row via an aggregate score of 9-2.
Cremonese
Despite fighting back twice against Fiorentina, Cremonese lost their first Serie A fixture in over two decades last time out. Alvini’s side allowed as many as 28 shots on goal, including 11 on target, more than any other side on matchday one, suggesting defending may not be their strong suit this season.
Cremonese come into proceedings as betting outsiders, albeit there’s a silver lining for the visitors here. Only twice in their Serie A history have Le Cremo been defeated in both opening matches of a top-flight campaign. However, it’s already ancient history, with Alvini’s boys looking to hold onto something more solid here.
That something could be an action-packed 3-2 win over Ternana in the inaugural Coppa Italia round earlier in August. Yet, bringing the 2021/22 Serie B season into the equation, Cremonese have lost three of their last four away league outings (W1), conceding at least twice in each defeat. No wonder the odds are heavily stacked against them.
Team News
Roma boss Mourinho has no major injury concerns on his plate, with Gambian midfielder Ebrima Darboe listed as the only absentee ahead of this clash.
As for Cremonese, Eibar loanee Gonzalo Escalante is unavailable for selection after picking up a red card against Fiorentina. Midfielder Michele Castagnetti and left-back Emanuele Valeri are the only injury doubts in the visiting camp.
Roma vs Cremonese Potential Line-ups
Roma (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio, Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling, Roger Ibanez, Rick Karsdorp, Nemanja Matic, Georginio Wijnaldum, Leonardo Spinazzola, Paulo Dybala, Nicolo Zaniolo, Tammy Abraham.
Cremonese (3-4-1-2): Ionut Radu, Matteo Bianchetti, Vlad Chiriches, Johan Vasquez, Paolo Ghiglione, Charles Pickel, Santiago Ascacibar, Leonardo Sernicola, Luca Zanimacchia, Cyriel Dessers, David Okereke.