Three to Watch: Pride motivates Chievo with safety already assured

With just two matches remaining in the season, Roma have successfully managed to defend second place thus far, but must now surpass the stubborn defence of the Veronese side.

Rolando Moran has done an adequate job of ensuring safety for his side - often rotating players, enforcing wing-play, and protecting leads - although the comparatively poor campaigns from rivals has also helped.

Although they will be missing a few key names such as Perparim Hetemaj and Riccardo Meggiorini, our columnist believes these three players will look to prove that no match should be taken for granted.

Valter Birsa

Now in his third year for Chievo, Birsa’s versatility in attack has made him a dependable player in Moran's system.

While the Slovenian international enjoyed stints with Sochaux, Genoa, and Milan, he was highly touted in his homeland from a young age – scoring 29 goals in Slovenian’s first division, when just 18 years-old.

Although 12 years have since passed, Birsa has produced a fruitful career and is now enjoying one of this finest seasons to date – scoring seven goals, followed by eight assists, and created 69 scoring chances.

With a total of 1020 completed passes with a pass accuracy of 80%, 72% have been forward passes, demonstrating Birsa’s proficiency in driving play forward.

Roberto Inglese

A native of Puglia, the centre-forward began his career at Pescara, where he helped the Delfini in their ascension to top-flight football.

Returning to Chievo last year after two successive loan spells, Inglese has incorporated himself nicely into the first team – scoring eight goals and tallying three assists this season.

An athletic striker, the 25-year-old has a knack for finding space for himself within the opponent’s box.

Calm and composed in front of the opposition’s goal, Inglese could surprise the Giallorossi as he continues to rise in the ranks of Italian football.

Ivan Radovanovic

Also making his way from an ex-Yugoslavia state, Radovanovic has added physicality to Moran’s defensive-midfield.

Tough tackling and powerful, the Serbian international measures at 1.86 metres tall, and has been an aerial force this term.

Quick in initiating attack after winning the ball, Radovanovic has completed 1529 passes with a pass accuracy of 84% - of which 81% were forward passes.

Now 28, the former Partizan player is sure to complicate matters for the Giallorossi’s passing – but strategic movement in midfield could complicate matters and allow Roma to bypass the Serbian obstacle.