View from the Opposition: The quickfire scouting report on Crotone

We had a brief chat with Vincenzo Saporito from forzacrotone.it to find out more about our opponents in Week 10 of Serie A.

We hear how Davide Nicola's side will probably line up against the Giallorossi at the Stadio Ezio Scida...

What has changed at Crotone compared with their squad last season and what are the targets for this term?

“The team has changed a lot from last year. Davide Nicola had to overhaul every area of the pitch and, as things stand, thanks in part to a series of injuries, he hasn't found the right fit, especially up front where the Rossoblu are struggling to find the net.

"This year however the team have experience from last term plus the chance to train in the city in the newly revamped training ground. Lest we forget this season the team have also been able to play at the Ezio Scida from day one. A team this size only ever has one aim - survival. Crotone look better equipped this term and the hope is they can stay up earlier than they did in May when it came down to the dying embers of the league season."

How do you see Nicola lining up on Sunday?

“The coach has always said that Crotone must adapt to the opposition which is why he might do away with his 4-4-2 again in favour of a 4-2-3-1 to pack the midfield more and combat Roma's 4-3-3.

"Based on that shape I'd say the team could be: Alex Cordaz in goal, Mario Sampirisi, Arlind Ajeti, Federico Ceccherini and Bruno Martella at the back. Andrea Barberis and Mariano Izco will sit in midfield with Marcus Rohden, Rolando Mandragora and Adrian Stoian playing just off Ante Budimir."

Who will Crotone's key man be for the visit of Roma?

“The team come into the match on the back of a heavy defeat at Sampdoria and there are a number of question marks surrounding the side. Rohden pulled up in the warm-up at Marassi and there will be fitness tests for forward Simy and Martella, man of the match at home to Torino. I think the key man could be Adrian Stoian. The Romanian forward has made a good start to the season even though there are peaks and troughs in his performance levels. That said, on his day, he could hurt the Giallorossi."

If you could choose one Roma player not to be involved in the match, who would you pick?

“That's a tough one to answer. Roma have quality across the board. Can I pick Eusebio Di Francesco? All jokes aside, I expect there will be a lot of free-kicks on the edge of the box for Roma so I'll choose Aleksandar Kolarov who's becoming lethal for opposition teams with his stunning dead-ball efforts."