Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Serie A clash between Roma and Empoli, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Having failed to find the net last week, Roma will seek a first win of the new season on Sunday, as they welcome Empoli to Stadio Olimpico.
While the Giallorossi could not find a way to break through in Cagliari, their visitors were also held goalless, drawing 0-0 with Monza.
Match preview
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After replacing Jose Mourinho last season, Daniele De Rossi passed his audition to take permanent charge of his beloved Roma, being rewarded with a three-year contract and several new signings.
While the arrivals of Artem Dovbyk, Matias Soule and Enzo Le Fee have all caught the eye, holding on to ‘La Joya’ may prove the most important moment in De Rossi’s rebuild.
Paulo Dybala recently accepted a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, but a last-minute change of heart will see the mercurial forward stay in Italy for another few months at least.
With his future still up in the air, Dybala was restricted to a substitute role in last week’s league opener against Cagliari, which ended with the points being shared in Sardinia.
Roma topped stats for high turnovers and regaining final-third possession in Serie A’s opening round, but despite some evidence of De Rossi’s plans taking shape they have now won only one of their last eight matches in all competitions.
They have, however, won eight of their last nine against Empoli, including a 7-0 thrashing of the Tuscan side at Stadio Olimpico last season.
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That represented the biggest defeat in Empoli’s Serie A history, but the Azzurri crucially came out on top when the teams most recently met, on the final matchday of 2023-24.
Needing victory to avoid relegation in May, a last-gasp strike secured a vital 2-1 success at Stadio Castellani, as they survived by the skin of their teeth.
Following his latest rescue act, coach Davide Nicola departed, so new boss Roberto D’Aversa has been tasked with extending a club record three-year stay in the Italian top flight.
His side returned to competitive action with a first-round Coppa Italia tie against Catanzaro, which brought a 4-1 home win, before playing out a goalless draw with Monza on Serie A’s opening day.
Now, they must try to end a longstanding record of failing to beat Roma in the capital: in 16 previous attempts, the Tuscans have recorded two draws and 14 defeats.
Roma Serie A form:
Empoli Serie A form:
Empoli form (all competitions):
Team News
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Having agreed to stay at the club, Paulo Dybala could be called into Roma’s starting XI on Sunday, though he faces competition from Matias Soule and Stephan El Shaarawy to support Artem Dovbyk up front.
Further down the pecking order, Tommaso Baldanzi meets the club with whom he made his Serie A debut, scoring six goals in 41 league appearances for Empoli before moving to Rome; he has yet to find the net in 14 top-flight matches for the Giallorossi.
As Leandro Paredes returns to the fold after serving a suspension, Daniele De Rossi should have a full squad to choose from this weekend – but his opposite number is not so fortunate.
Roberto D’Aversa will be missing Tyronne Ebuehi and Samuele Perisan due to injury, Szymon Zurkowski requires a late fitness test, while Alberto Grassi is suspended.
Nonetheless, Ola Solbakken – who recently joined on loan from Roma – made his debut last weekend and can compete for a place in the final third, where Lorenzo Colombo should lead Empoli’s front line.
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Soule, Dovbyk, Dybala
Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vasquez; Walukiewicz, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Haas, Pezzella; Fazzini, Esposito; Colombo
We say: Roma 2-0 Empoli
Roma have compiled too much attacking talent to go without scoring again, so they should open their victory account for the season at Empoli’s expense.
The Azzurri do not tend to travel well, and they could find themselves outgunned under the Sunday-night lights at Stadio Olimpico.
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