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Schick has just returned to full fitness after overcoming a niggling injury problem in recent weeks, making a cameo appearance at the end of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Genoa. Cengiz, meanwhile, has not started a game since October’s win over Crotone – the Turkey international being generally used as an impact substitute by Di Francesco.
But at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday one of them will have the chance to impress from the opening minute.
“I’m happy that Schick’s issues seem to have gone,” Di Francesco said on Thursday. “We saw the great ability he has, even in just a few minutes [last Sunday]. I won’t say whether he will start tomorrow. I will decide that between the end of training today and the game tomorrow.
“Tomorrow Cengiz also has a chance to start – either he or Schick will play. He has improved a lot. So far, when he has come into the team he has done well, as has [Gregoire] Defrel. Cengiz has continued to train well and I am very happy about that.”
Roma will be without Radja Nainggolan, however, while Diego Perotti is also a pre-match doubt. Neither have trained fully this week.
“Nainggolan will not be in the squad tomorrow because he has a bit of muscular fatigue,” Di Francesco revealed. “He has played a lot of games recently, without being in top condition. We have put a plan in place that will see him rejoin the squad in training on Saturday or Sunday.
“We will also decide today about Diego Perotti. It is difficult for him to start the game, so we will see whether he can be on the bench.”
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