View from the Opposition: Spezia

"Spezia will be expecting a response from Roma. They'll be out for revenge."

That's the view according to Paolo Ardito, Italian newspaper Secolo XIX's correspondent for the club.

After Tuesday's Coppa Italia exit, coupled with a similar exit five years ago in the only other meeting between the two sides, the Giallorossi will be determined to turn a page.

Here's what Ardito had to say about Saturday's game and how Vincenzo Italiano's side might approach it...

Does everyone around Spezia expect Roma to come out fighting on Saturday?

"Of course. They are expecting a revenge mission, I think, after the second Coppa Italia elimination in as many meetings - after that one in 2015. Roma will want to bounce back and I don't think they will underestimate their opponent this time, as perhaps they did in the first few minutes of Tuesday's game.

"So I think Spezia will be prepared for a really fired up Roma side."

What changes might we see from the team that played on Tuesday night?

"In that game, Spezia put out a lot of their back-up players. Leo Sena, for example, was making his debut. So on Saturday the starting defence will come back in and that is especially important for one reason: one of the keys to Italiano's style is building out from the back. In the cup Spezia struggled with that because Erlic, Vignali, Ismajli and the goalkeeper Krapikas aren't very good with the ball at their feet. With Terzi and Provedel, who are both much better in that area, Spezia will be more balanced."

What about further up the pitch?

"In the centre of midfield we could see the return of Matteo Ricci, an ex-Roma player himself - who is definitely better prepared than Leo Sena. I say we could see that, because I think he is fighting with Agoume, an 18-year-old who has done really well whenever he has come in for Ricci.

"Up front it seems really unlikely the top goalscorer, Nzola, won't be available and so that means Italiano might risk Galabinov again - a great centre-forward but fitness-wise a bit fragile.

"Let me just add this, though: We will definitely see a more accomplished Spezia line-up, but even if the team ends up finishing the first half of the season on 18 points [by losing the game], that will still be a spectacular achievement."

Given how the team did on Tuesday, could that change Italiano's thoughts at a few different positions?

"I don't think so. Italiano did what he needed to as far as rotation goes. I don't think he will change all 11 players from Tuesday night, but I think in his head he always had the side he was going to put out for this game."

If you could, which player would you steal from Roma?

"Both the central midfielders, Pellegrini and Villar, made a big impression on me. Personally, I only really saw the defence struggle with moving the ball out from the back on Tuesday night. In terms of the chances they created, I would put Roma alongside only Juventus and Napoli. I think those are the only three teams that have caused Spezia so many problems. And maybe only Atalanta created as many chances on goal."

What is your prediction for Saturday's game?

"1-1. I think that was always possible, even without the aftermath from the Coppa Italia and the likely response from Roma. But I have to say this: Spezia are a very unpredictable side. They've already picked up a few results no-one could have anticipated."