Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi forms the backdrop for Saturday night’s exciting Serie A encounter between Hellas Verona and Roma. Let’s take a look at our match preview for this exciting fixture.
Verona had to survive a nerve-shredding playoff to secure Serie A survival last season, getting the better of Spezia. However, the club’s poor spell of form toward the end of the campaign spelled the end of Marco Zaffaroni’s tenure shortly after the season ended. After helping Lecce hold onto their top-flight status upon their Serie A return, Marco Baroni has a new job.
The 59-year-old is now the chief of staff at the Bentegodi, and he couldn’t have hoped for a better start to his new adventure. Summer arrival Federico Bonazzoli slotted home midway through the second half to inspire Verona to a 1-0 win at Empoli on the opening weekend.
That success, coupled with a 3-1 Coppa Italia triumph over Ascoli a fortnight ago, sets the Mastiffs up perfectly for this fixture. However, they’ll likely have to punch above their weight to maintain Baroni’s perfect record in charge.
Visiting Roma will take the field seeking amends for a stomach-wrenching start to 2023/24. Despite Andrea Belotti’s breathtaking performance, Jose Mourinho’s injury-plagued side could only manage a 2-2 home draw against Salernitana on matchday one.
Following a dreadful maiden season at the Stadio Olimpico, the ex-Torino striker excelled last week. He netted on either side of halftime to salvage a point for Roma, having failed to get on the scoresheet in the entire 2022/23 Serie A campaign. But I Giallorossi will need more if they’re to return to winning ways at the Bentegodi.
Match Preview
Verona’s abovementioned victory at the Stadio Carlo Castellani marked only their fifth opening-day triumph in the 21st century. History beckons for the hosts as they pursue back-to-back wins at the beginning of a new Serie A season for only the third time in the club’s top-flight account.
Achieving that feat would see Verona defy another underwhelming record, having pulled off just 12 wins in 72 previous meetings with the upcoming rivals Roma (D22, L38). Baroni will be equally motivated to play down the odds on Saturday after going winless in his five managerial encounters against I Giallorossi (D1, L4).
But it’s not all doom and gloom for Verona. Before succumbing to a 3-1 loss in this corresponding fixture last term, they had won two consecutive home league matches against Roma, netting precisely three goals on both occasions.
Player to Watch: Federico Bonazzoli
After scoring off the bench on his Serie A debut for Verona, Bonazzoli could find himself in the starting XI this weekend. Last season wasn’t kind to the Italian forward, as he only netted twice in 24 league games for parent club Salernitana. But it’s a new dawn at the Bentegodi.
Roma
Mourinho’s ten-day touchline debut was perhaps the main reason behind Roma’s first failed attempt to get a new Serie A campaign off to a winning start under his stewardship. But the Portuguese manager won’t be around to navigate his team’s resurgence in Venetia, which could be a significant factor.
On the bright side, Roma have developed a habit of starting strong away from home, losing on their first road trip only once in the last 12 seasons (W7, D4). Against this backdrop, their away record in 2023 threatens to dampen the spirits among the traveling faithful, with I Giallorossi emerging victorious just once on their last 13 travels this year (D5, L7).
What’s even worse is that Roma couldn’t score more than once in their last nine away league matches toward the end of 2022/23. But Belotti’s return to prominence may flip the script.
Player to Watch: Paulo Dybala
Belotti could be on the verge of recovering his old form, but Paulo Dybala is a master of this craft. Back from suspension, the Argentine is keen to pick up where he left off last term, having tallied 18 goals and eight assists in his first season at the Olimpico.
Team News
Saturday’s clash will come too soon for long-term Verona absentee Thomas Henry. But on a more positive note, Darko Lazovic and Ajdin Hrustic could make the matchday squad after missing out on the opening round due to minor fitness problems.
As for Roma, Dybala’s return is not the only boost for Mourinho’s troops. Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini is back, leaving Tammy Abraham and Marash Kumbulla as the only absentees in the visiting camp. With the standout duo ready to reclaim their roles in the starting lineup, the visitors should look far more threatening than against Salernitana.
Hellas Verona vs Roma Potential Lineups
Hellas Verona (3-4-2-1): Lorenzo Montipo; Giangiacomo Magnani, Isak Hien, Coppola; Davide Faraoni, Martin Hongla, Ondrej Duda, Josh Doig; Cyril Ngonge, Jordi Mboula; Federico Bonazzoli.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling, Diego Llorente; Rasmus Kristensen, Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Leonardo Spinazzola; Houssem Aouar, Paulo Dybala; Andrea Belotti.
Hellas Verona vs Roma Prediction
High scoring has been a common theme in Verona’s recent home league meetings with Roma. Based on the visitors’ goal-glutted season opener, we can envisage another action-packed contest and a potential share of the spoils.
Prediction: Draw
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