View from the opposition: Latina

After the mountain training camp in Pinzolo and the North America tour, Roma continue pre-season this evening with a friendly against Latina, who play in Italy’s Serie B.

Ahead of the match, we caught up with Amedeo Di Sora, a journalist for Il Corriere dello Sport based in Frosinone, to get an idea of what’s in store for Roma at the Stadio Francioni later...

After their first historic promotion into the second tier in 2013, Latina are now about to begin a fourth straight season in Serie B. What’s your take on the team heading into the new campaign?

“Latina are still putting together their squad for the new season. They’ll definitely sign some more players between now and the end of the transfer window but, from the little I’ve seen thus far, the team - under the new, competent coach Vincenzo Vivarini, who joined from Teramo - have already proved they can produce his style of play. It’s little wonder they recently made it through the second round of the Coppa Italia, beating Matera at home. The Nerazzurri have made some exciting signings like goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio, on loan from Juventus after spending last season at Livorno, along with midfielders Michele Rocca and Alessandro De Vitis, who have both joined from Sampdoria. In summary, I believe that Latina will be aiming to and should comfortably stay up in Serie B.”

Which player could make an impact this season?

“I think both the goalkeeper Pinsoglio and forward Daniele Paponi could achieve great things. The keeper has already acquired excellent experience at this level, while the forward, 28, a Parma youth-team product, caught the eye recently by scoring a wonderful overhead kick in the Coppa Italia. It’s crucial that Latina have quality at either end of the pitch, given they face a tricky start to the season. Their opening match is away at newly-relegated Hellas Verona who are plotting a way back into the big time, before they entertain Spezia, who made last year’s promotion play-offs. Finally, they travel to Frosinone for the derby. That all makes for a very testing start for Vivarini’s men.”

Latina played three friendlies in July against lesser outfits, before taking on Matera in the Coppa Italia. To what extent can facing a club like Roma help the team with their preparations for the new campaign?

“A great deal because I think Vivarini has stepped up their work in terms of fitness levels given their tricky start in the league that I mentioned earlier. A friendly against a top team like Roma will at least allow him to assess where his team are at against a side gearing up for a Champions League play-off a few days later. That said, I think that’s today’s match at the Francioni is above all a very prestigious showcase at home against a top side, which will whet the supporters’ appetite ahead of the new Serie B season.”

Do you expect Vivarini to pick his strongest side?

“I suppose so. The coach will pick his best players because there’s no better way to test his potential starting 11 for the league season than against a top side. If he goes down that route, I don’t think the side will differ a great deal from their last match against Matera in the Coppa Italia, namely: Pinsoglio, Esposito, Dellafiore, Garcia Tena, Bruscagin, Rocca, De Vitis, Mariga, Scaglia, Corvia and Paponi. We’ll see whether, much like in the cup tie, they’re all out of puff come the hour-mark and there will be definitely be several substitutions.”

From a tactical perspective, what system do you think Latina will play?

“I believe Vivarini will go with a 4-4-2 given that, like all good coaches, he can switch formation during the game. The wide midfielders are versatile and can therefore push on higher or drop deeper if the situation warrants it. As I’ve said, Vivarini is a decent coach and so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see frequent tweaks throughout the match.”

What have you made of Roma’s pre-season and their transfer dealings?

“Roma are a top side with a very good coach and I think they’ve done well in the market, signing players they needed to improve certain areas of the pitch and allowing Luciano Spalletti to build the team he’s envisaged. The Giallorossi are therefore the fiercest challengers to Juventus, who once again start as favourites.”

Which Roma would player would you pinch if you could?

“Roma have an array of exceptional talents, who have no place in Serie B. If I really had to name someone, I’m a massive fan of Radja Nainggolan, although I must confess that if Kevin Strootman is back to his best – as it seems – he too is a world-class performer.”

What’s your score prediction?

“There’s no doubt about it, the result looks fairly cut and dried. Although Spalletti will pick a second-string side, ultimately the Giallorossi will win comfortably. Today’s match is above all a showcase for Latina in front of their own fans, while for Roma it’s a game that will allow them to hone certain aspects of their play ahead of the upcoming important game against FC Porto.”

For supporters outside of Italy, Latinva v Roma will be streamed live on Roma TV+ on the club’s official website, asroma.com.

The live stream will be available to fans who register for free with RomaTV+ beforehand.

Fans who haven’t already registered for free on Roma TV+ are advised to sign up now to avoid any delays when the match kicks off.

Click here to sign up now and visit the Roma TV+ live stream page.