Roma's troubled start to the season took another turn for the worse on Thursday night as their players were booed by their own fans before the Serie A game against Torino. The Giallorossi are struggling for form and confidence, having lost 5-1 to Fiorentina last weekend, a result that prompted speculation about the future of manager Ivan Juric.
The heavy defeat at the hands of Fiorentina has pushed the Croatian manager to the brink, and he faces mounting pressure to guide the team to a win and kick-start their season. There have been numerous reports of heated arguments in the Roma locker room during Sunday’s match in Florence, something Jurić confirmed during his pre-match presser. He admitted there were arguments, heated ones at that, but that it was better to have aired the laundry already. He felt that the accumulated emotions over the past few days have been released and that the team was ready to move on. While the news of these arguments might seem alarming, Jurić seemed to see it as a positive thing, favoring confrontation and honest discussions rather than small talk behind the scenes. He expressed confidence in the team's mindset and their ability to perform.
Despite the turmoil, Jurić appears to be sticking to his guns, with the line-up against Torino looking very similar to the one that took the field against Fiorentina. The only real question mark is in central midfield where Enzo Le Fée, who missed time during training yesterday, is expected to start alongside Manu Koné. The rest of the starting XI seems to be a consensus amongst the Italian media outlets, suggesting that the team's issues go deeper than just the manager's tactical choices.
Roma’s Tactical Approach
The Giallorossi are expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation with Svilar in goal, Mancini, N’Dicka, and Angeliño in defense, Çelik, Koné, Le Fée, and Zalewski in midfield, Pellegrini and Dybala behind a lone striker, Dovbyk. While they have assembled an expensive attack, Roma are struggling to find consistency and have been averaging just one goal per game. They sit 14th in the Serie A standings. However, they have a history of success against Torino at home, winning 12 of their last 14 league games at Stadio Olimpico.
Torino's Hopes for a Win
On the other side of the pitch, Torino are hoping to capitalize on Roma's struggles and climb further up the table. They are currently ninth, having won their last game against Como. Despite conceding three goals in three consecutive games for the first time in four years, Torino managed to shut out Como and have the confidence to go into the game against Roma knowing they can compete. Torino will be missing Ivan Ilic and Borna Sosa, while captain Duvan Zapata is out for the season. But they will have Che Adams and Antonio Sanabria leading their attack.
A Crucial Game
This match is a crucial one for both teams, as it could have a significant impact on their season. Roma are in desperate need of a win to appease their fans and ease the pressure on Juric. Torino, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their good form and climb the table.
What's Next?
The game kicks off at 20:45 CET (18:45 GMT) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. It is a game that will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, as it could be a turning point for both clubs. This match will be a battle of wills and strategies. Will Roma finally find their form, or will Torino continue to climb the table? Stay tuned for the live updates, in-game coverage and post-match reactions as they come in. This is a match that could have long-lasting consequences for both clubs.
