The Champions League to turn around. Roma will be the first Italian to enter the scene in this European round, looking for a success that can give meaning to the entire season. Yes, because until now the Giallorossi's journey has been marked by ups (few) and downs (many), uncertainty, controversy and tension. However, all is not lost, on the contrary: if things are already improving in the league, the Champions League could represent the real turning point.
In fact, Porto can act as a springboard, a bit like Shakhtar a year ago: a very important ride started from that (tiring) qualification, culminating in a semi-final that set the Giallorossi on fire with enthusiasm. But be careful to think that it is easy: the Portuguese, in addition to being in command of their championship (one point ahead of Benfica and two over Sporting Braga), have passed the group as first and unbeaten, plus they are coached by a Lazio doc like Sergio Conceicao.
Furthermore, if that weren't enough, there is the latest precedent to raise the antennas: the preliminary match of 23 August 2016, which finished 0-3 with the expulsions of De Rossi and Emerson Palmieri, earned him an elimination from the Champions League which marked the bankruptcy of Spalletti and the old management. The consequences of such an evening, ça va sans dire, would have even worse implications for Di Francesco, whose future is essentially linked to Europe.
“The journey is always long but it's a good opportunity to play a great game – glossed over the Giallorossi coach. – We have to be ambitious, try to bring enthusiasm back into the environment. It will be important to have a great defensive phase but without losing our identity up front."
De Rossi also took charge, returning to talk about the Kolarov issue, currently the most contested by Curva Sud. "Alex is a brother, that's why I tell the fans to trust me - explained the captain - He's a great professional, respect the thoughts of the fans but I hope that the invoice can be recomposed: in that case I would be the happiest of all".
In short, united for the Champions League, in the hope that the "little tune" can restore the sparkle to a lackluster season so far. Di Francesco knows that conceding goals could prove fatal, but also that not trying to score them would give the wrong signal: in short, his 4-3-3 will go in the usual offensive direction with Mirante in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio and Kolarov in defense, Pellegrini, De Rossi and Cristante in midfield, Zaniolo, Dzeko and El Shaarawy in attack.
"Returning to the Olimpico reminds me of happy years but I'm only focused on the match - Conceiçao warned - It will be important to score, it will take determination and courage: we are among the most important clubs in the world, our goal is to go through ”. Porto, after all, has tradition and quality and if it is true that the draw went well for Roma, the opposite is also the case.
The former Lazio and Inter midfielder will line up a 4-3-3 with the eternal Casillas in goal, Pereira, Felipe, Militao and Telles in the back, Herrera, Danilo and Torres in the midfield, Hernani, Soares and Adrian in the trident offensive.
Tonight's match will also mark the debut of the Var in the Champions League, complete with images broadcast on the big screen of the Olimpico: a historic fact, which given what happened last year (the refereeing errors in the semifinal against Liverpool still cry out for revenge! ) can only please the Giallorossi world.
