Roma continues title chase against Como

The 15th round of the Italian championship is brought to a close by the clash between Roma and Como at the Olimpico. Thanks to yesterday’s results, the stakes in tonight’s match have doubled. Roma can once again jump back onto the track where the Scudetto is decided, while Como could climb to fourth place, that is, into the Champions League zone. Just as tonight’s duel is an opportunity for takeoff, it could just as easily mark the entrance into a tunnel. Spalletti’s Juventus are marching toward the top of the table, Bologna remain a legitimate contender for European places despite yesterday’s defeat, and Lazio are coming up fast from behind. In that context, the points on offer tonight are worth even more for both teams.

Cesc reveals ‘unpleasant‘ conversation with Senegalese coach

Roma and Como have built their positions in the standings far more on steel-solid defenses than on efficient attacks, although Fabregas’ side have shown great attacking potential in a couple of matches. The Giallorossi are the only Serie A club to have conceded a single-digit number of goals in the first 14 rounds (eight), while Como, despite shipping four goals against Inter, boast the second-sturdiest defensive line — along with Lazio — with just 11 goals conceded by Butez. The two teams cross swords after defeats in the previous round. What’s more, Roma suffered two consecutive league losses without scoring, which were masked by a win over Celtic in the Europa League, while Como’s cheeks are still stinging from the four “slaps” handed out by Inter at San Siro.

Tonight and on Saturday, Roma not only have the chance to launch their role in the Scudetto race but also to cement fourth place, given that after Como they face Juventus in Turin on Saturday. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is trying to lower the temperature among the fans in Rome, reminding them that the match against Como is, above all, a battle for a European place, and that only afterward will it become clear whether it is also one for the Champions League. In Pep Guardiola–like fashion, Cesc Fabregas used his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with the Romans to string together praise for his older colleague, revealing that fellow coaches — friends from the Premier League and Ligue 1 — call him to ask for explanations of Gasperini’s tactical solutions and decisions. Recall that the two coaches had a very spicy verbal exchange after the Como–Atalanta match, when Fabregas pointed out that Gasperini talks a lot with referees, unlike himself, and that more respect is needed from Gian Piero.

BETTING GUIDE: AS Roma vs Como, match preview, team news and betting tip

The duel between Roma and Como will also be something of an Argentine derby, given that Matías Soule and Paulo Dybala are both aiming to earn a call-up from coach Lionel Scaloni for next year’s World Cup, as is the hugely talented Nico Paz. Soule in particular will be highly motivated, as he is still waiting for his first call-up from Scaloni, while Nico Paz is his direct competitor for a seat on the plane next June from Buenos Aires to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Over the previous 20 matches in the league and Europa League, Soule has scored five goals and provided three assists. Nico Paz has netted five goals in Serie A and recorded five assists; in fact, the Real Madrid–owned midfielder currently leads the Serie A assists table.

Zirkzee has many suitors in Italy

Roma are weakened by the absences of Zeki Celik (suspension), El Aynaoui (away at the Africa Cup of Nations), while Artem Dovbyk remains injured. The good news for Gasperini is the cooperative stance of Ivory Coast, who allowed Evan Ndicka to stay in Rome and play tonight’s match. This is a major favor, as with Celik suspended, Gian Piero Gasperini would otherwise have had to look for an alternative defensive solution, such as Bryan Cristante in the role of center-back, or to “gamble” with still-raw options like Jan Zolkowski or Daniele Ghilardi. Mario Hermoso will also have to be extra cautious tonight: if he picks up a yellow card, he will have to sit out next Saturday’s match against Juventus in Turin.

Imagine the earthquake it would cause if Dybala returned to Argentina – it’s possible

Como arrived in Rome without Morata, Roberto, and Goldaniga, while Perrone is suspended due to cards. In Perrone’s place, Cacere will get the nod from the start, and the only remaining lineup dilemma concerns Dia and Adaji on the left flank. Gasperini has just one major dilemma, and it concerns the center-forward position: whether to stick with Evan Ferguson, who scored twice against Celtic and has yet to score at the Olimpico (his only league goal came in Cremona against Cremonese), or to play the Paulo Dybala card. According to Gasperini himself, if Dybala were 100 percent fit there would be no dilemma about his selection, but since the Argentine was ill over the weekend, it cannot be ruled out that the Irishman will get the chance to start tonight as well.

SERIE A - ROUND 15

Friday

Lecce - Pisa 1-0 (0-0)

/Stulic 72/

Saturday

Torino - Cremonese 1-0 (1-0)

/Vlasic 27/

Parma - Lazio 0-1 (0-0)

/Noslin 82/

Atalanta - Cagliari 2-1 (1-0)

/Scamacca 11, 81 - Gaetano 75/

Sunday

AC Milan - Sassuolo 2-2 (1-1)

/Bartesaghi 34, 47 - Kone 13, Lauriente 77/

Fiorentina - Verona 1-2 (0-1)

/Nunez 69 (og) - Orban 42, 90+3/

Udinese - Napoli 1-0 (0-0)

/Ekkelenkamp 73/

Genoa - Inter 1-2 (0-2)

/Vitihna 68 - Bisseck 6, Martinez 38/

Bologna - Juventus 1-0 (0-0)

/Cabral 64/

Monday

22.45: (2.15) Roma (3.30) Como (3.50)

*** odds are subject to change ***