Searching for redemption after a disappointing performance in last weekend’s derby match against Inter, Roma entertain Lecce at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. Let’s look at our match preview for this contest.
Just when it looked like all the pieces were falling into place, Roma returned to old habits. With Jose Mourinho suspended after a ridiculous red card in a 1-0 win over Monza, Giallorossi took off to Giuseppe Meazza with one purpose – get away with a point. In accordance with the manager’s idea, they ‘parked the bus’ in front of Rui Patricio’s goal, only to see Marcus Thuram undo their hard work in the 81st minute.
Inter’s late winner knocked Roma down from a three-game winning streak in Serie A, undermining their ambition to haul back a five-point deficit on fourth-placed Atalanta. Back to the Stadio Olimpico, where they’ve emerged victorious in their last five competitive outings, the former Europa Conference League winners are pre-match favorites to return to winning ways against out-of-form Lecce.
Following a superb start to his managerial tenure in Puglia, Roberto D’Aversa has somewhat lost his way. Lecce won three of their first five Serie matches under his stewardship (D2), but they’ve since lost three out of five (D2), including a frustrating 1-0 home defeat to Torino last weekend. Parma’s visit to Stadio Via del Mare on Wednesday seemed a perfect opportunity for Lecce to regain confidence.
However, the second-tier outfit stunned D’Aversa’s side, running out 4-2 victors. Amends for an underwhelming Coppa Italia exit will be at the forefront of the visitors’ minds as they bid to return from the capital unscratched for the first time since 2004.
Match Preview
Roma
After a bumpy two-game winless start to their home campaign in 2023/24 (D1, L1), Roma have won their last five contests at the Stadio Olimpico by a combined score of 16-0. Considering they’ve reigned supreme in this fixture down the years, an extension of their outstanding home form is well on the cards.
Roma have won their last seven home encounters against Lecce, six of which came in Serie A. That’s not to mention they scored at least two goals on each occasion, underlining the possibility of adding to their formidable home tally. Indeed, Mourinho’s troops have netted 2+ goals in five of their seven competitive home games this term.
Player to Watch: Romelu Lukaku
He had an atypically quiet evening at Meazza last weekend, largely thanks to Roma’s defensive approach. However, he’s been on fire on home turf, finding the net in four of his six competitive appearances at the Olimpico.
Lecce
Lecce’s dip in form could lead to a misconception that they are an idle threat. But they are not. Giallorossi came from a halftime deficit to beat Roma’s eternal rivals Lazio 2-1 on the opening weekend before overcoming a two-goal disadvantage to draw 2-2 against Fiorentina on the road.
It’s also worth mentioning they made Juventus work their socks off to get a 1-0 home win in late September, proving they can be a tricky opposition to play against. Yet, as witnessed by their long-standing struggle in this matchup, Roma could be considered their ‘kryptonite.’
Scoring first could be a game-changer, with Lecce winning two out of three Serie A games in which they’ve opened the scoring this term (D1).
Player to Watch: Nikola Krstovic
Since he’s been single-handedly responsible for 40% of Lecce’s Serie A goals this season (4/10), the Montenegro international could halt the visitors’ perennial struggles in the capital.
Team News
Roma’s injury list seems to be growing each week passing. Leonardo Spinazzola has joined Tammy Abraham, Marash Kumbulla, Renato Sanches, Chris Smalling, Paulo Dybala, and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the sidelines. On top of that, Leandro Paredes is out suspended.
On the other hand, Lecce will travel without long-term absentee Alexis Blin, while there’s a good chance Albanian defender Kastriot Dermaku could keep him company in the treatment room. Other than the injured duo, the rest of D’Aversa’s squad is fit and ready.
Roma vs Lecce Potential Lineups
Roma (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Gianluca Mancini, Diego Llorente, Evan Ndicka; Rick Karsdorp, Bryan Cristante, Edoardo Bove, Houssem Aouar, Nicola Zalewski; Stephan El Shaarawy, Romelu Lukaku.
Lecce (4-3-3): Wladimiro Falcone; Valentin Gendrey, Federico Baschirotto, Marin Pongracic, Antonino Gallo; Hamza Rafia, Joan Gonzalez, Iber Ramadani; Gabriel Stefezza, Remi Oudin, Nikola Krstovic.
Roma vs Lecce Prediction
Despite their below-par performance against Inter, Roma remain in pole position to capitalize on Lecce’s bad moment and get back on track. We expect nothing less from the hosts.
Prediction: Roma Win
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