View from the Opposition: Salernitana

Nicola Roberto is a reporter for Tvoggi Salerno and the editor of Solosalerno.it, marking him out as one of the most knowledgeable journalists covering Salernitana.

We spoke to Roberto to get his insight into what to expect from La Granata.

The weekend game at the Olimpico gets underway at 18:00 CEST.

For Salernitana, is Sunday's game against Roma a last chance to kickstart their survival bid?

"If CONI confirm that the matches against Udinese and Venezia need to be played {after Covid positives caused their postponement] then Salernitana will still have the chance to pick up point against those two sides, which is something that shouldn't be overlooked.

"Against Roma they will have to have a go, to try and get something from the game, but they can do so without some of the pressure and anxiety that has followed them in some recent games - especially at home.

"So it won't be their last chance, but they will have to pick up some points from somewhere very soon if they want to give themselves any real hope of putting up a survival fight."

What has been behind such a disappointing return to Serie A this season?

"The trust put in place to run the club by the former ownership, which was allowed by the FIGC only at the start of July, has ended up having an impact on the entire season.

"Pre-season took place with a group of players that were not adequate, either in numbers or quality, for the challenge that Serie A poses. The summer transfer window saw business conducted on a budget and without much of a strategy behind it, while in January the new owners and sporting director Walter Sabatini did not have much time to try and put things right."

What sort of approach are you expecting from Salernitana on Sunday?

"With the arrival of Davide Nicola on the Granata bench, we are now getting used to seeing a very aggressive side out there on the pitch. High pressing and attempts to disrupt the opposition in various ways are there, but so far those changes have not been rewarded with results.

"In the last game, against Torino, Nicola changed things slightly from a tactical perspective but did not come away with any points. In Rome I think the team will be setup with more of a defensive focus, while they might add an extra central midfielder to plug some of the holes there we have seen in recent games. Then they will try and hurt Roma by using the physicality up top of Djuric."

What changes to the line-up are you expecting from that defeat against Torino?

"Nicola seems like he has a prefence for the three-man defence, but the extra midfielder would be the mostable notable change. So it would be a 3-5-2 in that sense, instead of the 3-4-1-2 we saw against Torino.

"Federico Fazio, who Roma fans will know well, and Federico Bonazzoli - the team's top goalscorer - are both suspended. Dragusin should come into the defence alongside Gyomber and Radovanovic.

"In midfield the young Norwegian Bohinen might end up making his full debut for the club, while Mikael could be the surprise name chosen in attack to partner Djuric. If Nicola wants a more creative player in there, though, then he has both Daniele Verdi and Franck Ribery to call upon."

Do you think Roma's involvement in the Europa Conference League could have an impact on the match?

"In Norway the Giallorossi had to work hard and they did not get the result they will have wanted - so on Sunday they will be even more focused and determined to do better. The big sides all know how to manage a fixture pile-up at this point, both mentally and physically.

"And, of course, Jose Mourinho is a great motivator - so he will know how to make sure the players lift their efforts and start the game in the right tone."

Which Roma players will Salernitana be most fearful of?

"I would have said Lorenzo Pellegrini, but he is suspended. So I will say Tammy Abraham. And, if he is available, Nicolo Zaniolo - his dad played for Salernitana in the past. So he will be one to watch out for too."

What's your prediction for the game?

"Roma are chasing fourth spot, while Salernitana really need the points. I wouldn't mind a draw in this one, although obviously Mourinho wouldn't agree!

"Roma definitely start as favourites, not least because they are not conceding many goals right now and Salernitana have struggled a bit in front of goal recently. So logic suggests it will be 2-0 or similar, but I wouldn't be upset if it finished 1-1..."