View from the Opposition: The quickfire scouting report on Chievo

We asked Adriano Ancona, a Verona-based journalist who writes for Il Corriere dello Sport, to talk us through Chievo's season so far and tell us what sort of team Rolando Maran will put out against Roma on Sunday...

How much have Chievo changed since last season and what are their targets for the current campaign?

“They don't have many new faces but they do have several key players back from injury – Riccardo Meggiorini especially. He did his knee in March and has only just come back.

“Chievo have the oldest team in Serie A and while that means they have plenty of experience we'll see towards the end of the campaign whether they're able to stay the course. Their entire backline – Dario Dainelli, Alessandro Gamberini, Fabrizio Cacciatore and Bostjan Cesar – is over 30.

“Lucas Castro's injury is a big blow because he's an important player for them. He won't be back till February.

“Chievo have done well so far, collecting 20 points from their first 15 games, which means they're in a comfortable league position. They'll aim to finish the season keeping well away from any relegation danger and just try to pick up as many points as possible – especially against their direct rivals in the lower half of the table, as they've managed to do so far.”

What formation and what line-up do you think Maran will go with on Sunday?

“Ivan Radovanovic will return again after a two-match ban and he's the only real certainty in midfield, where Maran has lots of selection doubts. Besides Castro, Perparim Hetemaj and Nicola Rigoni are also doubtful, so if I had to guess their starting line-up I'd say 4-3-1-2 with Sorrentino in goal, Cacciatore, Dainelli, Gamberini and Massimo Gobbi from right to left at the back, Fabio Depaoli, Radovanovic and Samuel Bastien in midfield with Valter Birsa in the hole behind Roberto Inglese and Meggiorini.”

Who do you see as Chievo's key danger man against Roma?

“Valter Birsa has the ability to turn a game and he's a real threat from free kicks and corners – situations Chievo will try to exploit against a superior side such as Roma. Playing in the hole, he's also the focal point of Chievo's attacking play so he's the one who could provide the ammo for the front two.”

If you could take one player off Roma, who would it be?

“Radja Nainggolan because he's absolute top quality and because Chievo have big problems in midfield going into Sunday's game.”