Assault on second place, but also defense of third. On this Monday of the championship (20.45) Roma are awaiting a real crossroads: to win another victory (it would be the tenth in 11 games) to go in pursuit of Napoli, or find themselves once again in the sights of Inter, brought minus 5 after the success of Frosinone.
In short, Donadoni's Bologna will have a rather important role in the continuation of the championship, as well as several interested spectators. The rossoblu will have the support of Napoli and Inter, both hoping, albeit for different reasons, that the Giallorossi race will stop on the Olimpico lawn.
“We will have to be very careful, they are the only ones who forced Juventus to draw – commented Spalletti. – Donadoni is also a great coach, he works seriously and manages to transfer all his ideas to the team. The current drop is the result of a salvation achieved well in advance, but this very tranquility makes the match rather insidious".
The Giallorossi coach doesn't trust him, although his team's technical rate is clearly higher than that of his opponents. Even the numbers don't seem to give the guests great chances, without victories since February 14 (1-0 in Udine): since then there have been 3 draws and 3 defeats, the last against Verona, bottom light of the championship. Quite the opposite of Roma, very much launched by a series of consecutive useful results that really deserve applause.
After the knockout in Turin (January 24) Spalletti's men never stopped, suffering a slight slowdown only at home against Inter (1-1). The best attack in Italy (66 goals like Napoli but with one match left) is the result of a clear and precise change of gear compared to the past, so much so that many wonder where the team would be if Garcia had been sacked earlier. In any case, it is still early for definitive praise: the championship is still long enough to authorize any scenario.
Spalletti knows this well, determined to beat Bologna to shake off Inter and challenge Sarri's Napoli. The Giallorossi 4-2-3-1 will see Szczesny in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Rudiger and Digne in defense, Pjanic and Keita in midfield (Nainggolan is suspended), Salah, Perotti and El Shaarawy behind lone striker Dzeko. Nothing to do for Totti, now chronic substitute and relegated to the last option for the attack.
“I'm one of the few who treats him like a real player, out of respect for him and above all for his teammates – Spalletti glossed over. – I don't know what will happen in the future but I can say that we will always run in the same direction for the good of Roma".
Donadoni doesn't have these problems, however eager to end the negative streak (3 consecutive defeats) in a prestigious stage like the Olimpico. The rossoblu 4-4-2 will see Mirante in goal, Mbaye, Gastaldello, Maietta and Masina in defense, Mounier, Donsah, Diawara and Rizzo in midfield, Brienza and Floccari in attack.
