View from the Opposition: The quickfire scouting report on Hellas Verona

We asked Simone Antolini from Verona’s L’Arena newspaper to tell us how Hellas are shaping up for the match at the Stadio Bentegodi and reveal how the Gialloblu might line up following the transfer window…

What have been the positives and negatives of Verona’s season so far after 22 games?

“The main positive is that despite everything the Gialloblu are still alive. Many times, we’ve thought they had given up but then they have surprised us with signs of life every now and again, most recently during the win away to Fiorentina in the last match, which was unexpected and unhoped-for. It means that [Fabio] Pecchia hasn’t lost the dressing room completely and there’s still something to work on and aim for.

"On the other hand, the negatives are that Verona are yet to find balance and, although often and voluntarily the team have had to do without important players, they have shown massive mental weakness in defence, conceding bags of goals and failing to close out results in important fixtures against our rivals in the fight to stay up. A recent example was in the 3-0 loss at home to Crotone two matches ago. A win there would have been worth more than the three points against Fiorentina on Sunday because it was against another club mired in the bottom half of the table.

"Moreover, some big players like [Giampaolo] Pazzini, [Martin] Caceres, [Daniel] Bessa and [Bruno] Zuculini left during the January transfer window, and have been replaced by [Ryder] Matos, [Bruno] Petkovic, [Deian] Boldor, [Jagos] Vukovic and [Rolando] Aarons, who are almost all gambles. So, I don’t think Verona have strengthened.”

What formation will Pecchia go for and who can we expect to see in the starting line-up?

"I’ll start by saying that in recent weeks the Verona coach, following arrivals and departures during the transfer window, has often caught us by surprise with his selections and formations. Right now, given that [Moise] Kean, who was the star against Fiorentina with a brace, is suspended, I can imagine a 4-4-2 with Nicolas in goal, Ferrari and Fares at full-back, Caracciolo and Vukovic at centre-back, Romulo, Valoti, Buchel and Matos in midfield, and Verde and Petkovic up front. This could, however, transform into a 4-2-3-1 depending on what Pecchia asks his players to do during the game.”

Who will be Verona’s key player against Roma?

“It’s hard to say because we’re talking about two teams with a huge gulf in quality between them. In any case, the Gialloblu’s key player could be Verde, who is unpredictable and can beat his man to create numerical superiority; or Vukovic, who has a powerful physique and is dangerous on set pieces, as he showed against Fiorentina; or finally Romulo, who could cause danger with his runs up the wing.”

If you could take one player out of the Roma team, who would it be?

“I’d say Dzeko because Verona typically struggle with balls played into the box for a striker who is difficult to shift like the Bosnian. Aside from knowing how to score, he holds the ball up well and is a threat on set pieces. His battle with Vukovic will be interesting.”