Hellas Verona vs. Roma: Match preview
The Giallorossi got the job done in their match against Helsinki on Wednesday and set up a very important match next week to determine whether they can make it through the Europa League group stages or suffer the ignominy of relegation back to the Europa Conference League. This match is undoubtedly in everyone Roma in the player’s mind right now, but before I Lupi face Ludogorets, they must take care of business on the Italian peninsula.
Tomorrow’s Halloween match against 19th-placed Hellas Verona might not appear to be the most challenging thing on Roma’s radar, but the three points the Giallorossi can grab against Verona will be vital in their quest. the Champions League football next season.
Tammy’s return two goals?
Tammy Abraham finally broke his scoring drought and overall form against Helsinki, scoring one goal and (basically) another that was eventually ruled an own goal. You could see from the look on Abraham’s face after scoring how relieved he was to finally find the net again; all strikers go through the peaks and valleys of form, but that doesn’t make those valleys any less painful for both the player and his club.
Helsinki looked closer to the Serie B team than against Europa League contenders Roma, but it didn’t matter WHO Abraham decided against his scoring drought; the most important thing was to get that ball into the back of the net. Hellas Verona is likely to be a bit a more challenging opponent for the Giallorossi, but I still believe in Abraham’s ability to score goals now.
With Paulo Dybala out and Nicolò Zaniolo in similar poor form, the Giallorossi’s hopes and dreams rest on their English striker, at least for now.
No pressure, Tammy.
Will young people get a new chance?
Roma’s youngsters were strongly featured in the win in Helsinki, but that was to be expected, as the Giallorossi’s bench depth was low due to injury and suspension. and were in the middle of a grueling part of the calendar. When Primavera graduates like Cristian Volpato and Giacomo Faticanti were called up, they looked promising – maybe not ready for prime time against a big club, but promising nonetheless.
The only way for them become ready to play against the big boys, however, is that they get more game time at senior level. Tomorrow’s match against Hellas Verona offers an opportunity to do just that.
Of course, there are rumors that the Giallorossi might clear the farm system this January to bring in Davide Frattes, who I’ve been backing for over a year. If that is the case and the Giallorossi are unable to include buy-back clauses in the contracts of their Primavera players, then the need to give more minutes in Serie A to Bové, Volpato, Faticanti or whoever else is involved in this hypothetical deal is critical.
Nevertheless, given the poor form of some of the senior team players, there is clearly room in the first team for players such as Volpato and Edoardo Bove; the question is whether Mourinho will still recognize this and give the kids a chance when the stakes are a little lower than in the derby.