Overview
With only a 4-point gap from Juventus (ranked fifth), while Como and Atalanta are also closely following, AS Roma is trying their best to maintain their position in the European Cup qualifying group.
The reigning Serie A champion Napoli - who just drew 2-2 with Roma in the Derby del Sole match - is also fiercely competing for a Champions League spot, while the two Milan representatives are almost guaranteed tickets.
At the Olimpico stadium, Roma showed impressive form with 2-0 victories against Cagliari and 3-0 against Cremonese. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini's team has won 16/18 maximum points in the last 6 home matches, conceding only 6 goals after 13 matches at the Olimpico - the best achievement of the tournament. That stability was further strengthened when Donyell Malen emerged as a reliable striker.
Roma also participated in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League and will face Bologna, after reaching straight through thanks to being in the top 8 of the group stage.
However, Giallorossi's weakness is their head-to-head record in the top group. They only won 2 points after 6 matches against the top 5 teams this season - 8 points behind Juventus.
In the opposite direction, Juventus has a historic advantage. Including the 2-1 victory in the first leg in December, they have defeated Roma more than any other opponent in Serie A and have only lost 1 in the last 11 encounters.
However, their current form does not favor Bianconeri. After two consecutive defeats against Inter Milan and Como, coach Luciano Spalletti's team has not won their last 3 matches in Serie A, although they previously won 7/9 matches. With 46 points, this is Juventus' worst record in this period since 2011.
February was also a forgettable time when they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and Coppa Italia. The breathtaking defeat to Galatasaray after extra time, closing the overall defeat 5-7, further exposed instability, although the courageous comeback when only 10 people were left (after Lloyd Kelly's red card) was still recognized by Turin fans.
The confrontation at the Olimpico this weekend is therefore of vital importance to both. Roma needs to affirm their Champions League ambition, while Juventus must prove they have enough bravery to overcome the period of decline.
Personnel situation
AS Roma hopes Paulo Dybala will recover from his knee injury in time to face his old team Juventus. However, another former Juventus player, Matias Soule, has not yet overcome the persistent groin problem.
Soule will sit out with Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk, while center-back Mario Hermoso has not yet ensured fitness. However, Stephan El Shaarawy is expected to return to the squad.
Regardless of those absences, Donyell Malen is still the biggest mainstay in the Giallorossi attack. Since his Serie A debut in January, he has led the league in number of goals (5), number of shots (30) and number of touches in the opponent's penalty area (63).
Juventus continues to have a headache with the personnel situation. Two center forwards Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are still injured, forcing them to consider between Jonathan David and Lois Openda.
In defense, Bremer may return after 2 absences, while Pierre Kalulu is ready to reappear after a controversial suspension in Serie A. Juan Cabal and Andrea Cambiaso also returned after UEFA sanctions, but captain Manuel Locatelli will be absent due to suspension for receiving enough yellow cards.
Expected lineup:
Svilar, Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi, Celik, Cristante, Kone, Wesley, Pisilli, Pellegrini, Malen.
Perin, Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso, Thuram, Koopmeiners, Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz, David.
The match between Roma and Juventus takes place at 2:45 am on March 2nd (Vietnam time).
