View from the Opposition: Spezia

Paolo Ardito is sports editor at Secolo XIX, the local paper that covers all the goings on at La Spezia.

Sunday's game at the Stadio Picco gets underway at 18:00 CET.

Here's how Ardito sees the contest...

Spezia come into the game having lost their last league meeting, against Bologna. What impact will that result have had on the squad?

"It was one of the most painful defeats of the season. Spezia hardly got past the half-way line, and their weaknesses in possession were brutally exposed: last year they had two deep-lying playmakers, this season they don't even have one. That was a transfer market decision that didn't pan out, especially considering that the Brazilian midfielder Leo Seno, after picking up Covid, still hasn't got back to a position where he can play.

"The biggest loss in that area of the pitch though has been Matteo Ricci, who joined Frosinone after not getting a contract extension from the club. So now Spezia have a real weakness in that part of the game; they have to get by on the individual flashes of brilliance of Daniele Verde (an ex-Roma player himself) and the efforts of Kevin Agudelo, who is often used as a mid-game substitute. But they lack an overall coherent tactical plan - as was sorely evident against Bologna.

"Complicating the issue in midfield is the ongoing injury that is holding back captain Giulio Maggiore. Then there is the attack as well: Verde, Nzola and Manaj have managed three goals in total between them."

In such an up-and-down season, however, Spezia have nevertheless managed to beat AC Milan and Napoli...

"They were two incredible feats. The one against Milan was somewhat the result of a few controversial moments - Junior Messias had a goal disallowed at the end - but if we look back at the action then it was actually Rebic who fouled Bastoni before that, not vice-versa.

"Let's say that Spezia seem to be paying the price for Vincenzo Italiano's summer exit, just nine days after he signed a new contract with the club. Instead, he then decided to go to Fiorentina after the issue with Gattuso. The club had to scramble to react and in the end they landed upon Thiago Motta.

"Then the Covid pandemic further complicated the club's pre-season plans, leading to cancelled friendlies and the Coppa Italia curtainraiser against Pordenone proving to be their first game of the season. Then - the cherry on top - FIFA imposed a transfer ban on the club for four transfer windows, for failures related to the signings of some Nigerian footballers. In my opinion, that was unjust."

What's the view on Thiago Motta so far?

"He remains an inexperienced coach. But, if we look at the league table, Spezia nevertheless have the same amount of points they had at this point last season and they have never been in the relegation zone. Things are going better than anyone could have reasonably expected.

"Nevertheless, if we look at the last few games - a win against Sampdoria where a draw would perhaps have been fairer, a draw against Salernitana where VAR helped out, two defeats against Fiorentina and then Bologna - it's clear that Spezia have a bit of an issue getting shots off at goal. The team as a whole is going through a difficult period right now."

What changes are you expecting ahead of Sunday's game?

"With Bastoni back and available, I would imagine Thiago Motta will go back to a 4-3-3 setup. I don't know whether or not Maggiore will be called upon, because he's struggling to stay fit at the moment.

"Nevertheless, when they are at home Spezia have seemed to gain drive and determination from the support of the fans this season. They've always tended to put in full-blooded performances."

Which Roma player will be the dangerman against Spezia, in your opinion?

"The best of them is Nicolò Zaniolo. A natural talent. If it were not for injuries he would be a world-class player at this point. He has the ability to change a game."

What's your prediction for the match?

"Roma have been struggling a bit recently - but then so were Bologna, and they ended up beating Spezia. So I think an away win is most likely; the difference in quality is there even if Spezia always make things tough at the Picco.

"There is another aspect, though: the pitch there is much narrower than other grounds in Italy. That makes life a lot harder for sides that like to use the flanks to create chances. On paper it's not much of a contest. But, then again, against Milan and Napoli it wasn't supposed to be much of a contest either..."