FIORENTINA

League position: 10th
Form: W W D L L
Serie A top-scorer: Gaetano Castrovilli (4)
Last time out in Serie A: Fiorentina 3-2 Udinese (Castrovilli (2), Nikola Milenkovic)

Their season so far: After a poor start to 2020-21 - losing two of their first three matches - Fiorentina did manage to secure a second league win of the season courtesy of victory over Udinese last time out.

The 2-1 midweek Coppa Italia victory over third-tier Padova may have been somewhat laboured, but it did make it back-to-back wins for under pressure coach Giuseppe Iachini and also saw Jose Callejon score his first goal for the club.

Callejon was brought to the club to replace the attacking threat of Federico Chiesa this summer and La Viola will hope that his cup strike will be the first of many.

But it is at the back that Fiorentina have real concerns, after conceding 10 in their last four league games.

Their leaky defence will also be without captain German Pezzella - who was an injury casualty in the win over Udinese - and Sunday’s visitors will also be missing Borja Valero for the trip to the capital.

They do welcome back Franck Ribery, however, with the main question marks going forward over who will partner him in attack out of Callejon, Patrick Cutrone, Christian Koumae and Dusan Vlahovic.

One thing is for certain; that in-form Castrovilli will be deployed in support of the front two as he looks to add to his club-high four league goals.

Iachini has used a 3-5-2 formation so far this term and is unlikely to deviate from that formula; with Luis Martinez Quarta set to deputise for Pezallain the centre, while Cristiano Biraghi and Pol Lirola operate from the flanks.

What they've said:

“Dzeko stretches opponents and holds the ball up well. Fonseca knows how to get the best out of him and besides Dzeko he has a very competitive squad." - Iachini, Fiorentina coach

“Roma are stronger than they were last season, so it's an even tougher game than last season. It's an experienced, technically sound side. We need to make sure we keep the tempo high for 90 minutes. I want to see a courageous performance tomorrow, just as we did against Inter in Milan.” - Fiorentina boss Beppe Iachini