Roma v Sampdoria: Three opposition players to watch

Having taken all six points from their first two encounters, surprise packages Sampdoria are Roma’s opposition on Sunday.

The Giallorossi stars return to action after international duty this weekend, but will face no welcoming test on Sunday afternoon.

While Luis Muriel will be trying his best to find fitness and make a return, here are three other players who have had surprisingly strong starts for the Blucerchiati…

Bruno Fernandes

Already something of a veteran of Serie A, the 22-year-old switched clubs this summer from the nearby Adriatic coastline of Udine to the Ligurian Sea of Genoa.

While Fernandes had three goals and four assists last year, his average of 1.7 shots per game was only just behind his strikers, underlining his ability to get into dangerous spots.

Alongside the evergreen Fabio Quagliarella, Roma’s defense must be wary of the youngster’s creativity and unpredictability.

Last season's 1.4 key passes per match was a joint high for Udinese and, with the likely absence of Muriel to factor in, Fernandes will be depended upon for scoring in addition to creating at his new club.

Karol Linetty

An initially unassuming summer purchase from Lech Poznan, the centre midfielder is showing signs that a prosperous career awaits him. Just 21, Linetty is a rugged midfield opponent – a claim supported by his statistics of having the second highest tackles in the league (five) after two games, whilst also averaging two interceptions per 90 minutes.

In his last match for Poznan this summer, the Polish player grabbed a goal in their 3-1 win over league heavyweights Legia Warsaw. In his debut match, a friendly against Barcelona, Linetty did well to avoid the Blaugrana’s constant pressure with some smooth passing, and was tenacious in ball recovery.

Already growing in confidence under Marco Giampaolo, Linetty has all the tools needed to become another top player under the esteemed coach.

Fabio Quagliarella

Having played for eight different clubs and won three consecutive Serie A titles during a rich career, the former Italy international now finds himself back at the team where he first made himself known throughout the peninsula.

In his half-season with the Blucerchiati last year he was able to accumulate three goals; while he is already off the mark this term thanks to a penalty kick that helped sink Atalanta.

A centre forward who can do it all – score from long range, find space behind the centre backs, and help his teammates get into goalscoring positions – Quagliarella is one of the top players in his generation.

Of course, at 33 he is not the force he once was. If Roma’s defenders remain focused and can beat him to the ball from the off, his chances should be few and far between.