A terrace on the third place. The anticipation of the 28th matchday pits Roma against Fiorentina (at 20.45), coincidentally you are paired on equal points (53) on the lowest step of the podium. In short, it's not a playoff but we're close, because if it's true that there will be another 10 games left to play, it's equally true that a misstep, at this point, could cost a lot. It would have been reasonable to expect a fiery eve, especially after the accusations that Paulo Sousa, a few weeks ago, had addressed to the Romanist world ("I knew they would have given Zarate 3 days, so he would have missed Roma"), instead the two coaches preferred to compliment each other.
"They have done an extraordinary job, a real work of art with a modern and spectacular football - Spalletti's words on Fiorentina," they have improved from all points of view, these statements, for me, are already a victory ” the reply of Paulo Sousa. However, there will be no room for effusions on the pitch: this match between the Giallorossi and Viola is giving away heavy points and whoever slips, provided they don't both do it with a draw, would allow the Milanese to forcefully return to the Champions League race.
“It's decisive for Roma, not for us – however glossed over the Portuguese coach. – We are the intruders, while they have a duty to finish third. We have to see the match as a great opportunity, in fact we are fighting with everything we have to make the most of it". Indeed, this is exactly how things are, it is no coincidence that Spalletti has been repeating for some time that the Champions League is not a simple goal but a real obligation. In this sense, the facts are proving him right: the 6 consecutive victories collected in the last month have put the Giallorossi boat back in motion.
“We have done a masterpiece in reversing the situation – confirmed the coach. – I've always said that you can work well in Rome, the environment is ideal for playing football and in fact I'm back here. The boys have embarked on the right path, now they have to continue". The match, at least on paper, promises to be beautiful: on the one hand the crackling attack of the Giallorossi (55 goals scored, like Napoli), on the other the champagne football of the Viola (in a positive series of 7 games). No turnover for Spalletti, evidently more focused on today's match than on the next Champions League match with Real Madrid.
Roma's 4-2-3-1 will see Szczesny in goal, Florenzi, Rudiger, Manolas and Digne in defense, Pjanic and Keita in midfield, Salah, Nainggolan and El Shaarawy in the frontline, Perotti (favorite over Dzeko) in attack. Sousa will respond with the same form, with Tatarusanu between the posts, Roncaglia, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Astori and Marcos Alonso in the back, Badelj and Vecino in the midfield, Tello, Borja Valero and Bernardeschi behind the lone striker Kalinic.
