“Now I don’t even know who is available, so I need to see that first. Then we will see what our decision is. Pellegrini has played a lot of games, right? So these are options. We will see. First we need to figure out where we are. We will train today and then we will make a decision. But Dybala also becomes important.”
That’s what Gian Piero Gasperini had to say ahead of Sunday’s clash with Napoli at the Estadio Maradona. The win moves Roma into third place – above Juventus and ahead of the Partenopei on goal difference. A loss would keep Roma winless against top four opponents. In a game of this magnitude, any head coach would want to have his best lineup available.
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Unfortunately for Gasperini, he will be without Manu Cone, Evan Ferguson, Stephan El-Shaarawi and Artem Dovbik. However, he did get back Robinho Vaz. Meanwhile, his two main creative talents – Matias Sule and Paulo Dybala – remain in question.
“We need to see them today. This week has been a bit difficult for Sule so we need to see. We will make a decision this afternoon. The same goes for Dybala. He has been training regularly but he is not 100 per cent. Everyone wants to stay healthy.”
Sule appears to be more prepared for this game than Dybala and is expected to start. If he can’t, Brian Zaragoza will likely start in his place. Lorenzo Pellegrini is expected to take on another attacking midfield role, supporting Donyell Mullen.
In the center of the field, Nicolo Picilli is expected to start again alongside Brian Cristante. He seems to have a slight advantage over Nir El Ayanui. These two will once again be flanked by Wesley on the left and Zeki Çelik on the right. Meanwhile, in defence, Daniel Girardi once again looks to overtake Mario Hermoso to form a back three with Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndika.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Sveral; Mancini, Endica, Gilardi; Çelik, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Sule, Pellegrini; Mullen.
