View from the Opposition: Hellas Verona

Hellas Verona are the visitors to the Stadio Olimpico this weekend, as Igor Tudor's side like to do the double over Roma this season.

We spoke to Alberto Fabbri, editor of Hellas Live, to get the lowdown on the Gialloblu and the season they are having to date.

Saturday's game in Rome gets underway at 18:00 CET.

Hellas come into this one after scoring four against Udinese - what did that win mean for the team?

"It confirmed the very impressive start they are having to 2022 - 12 points from six games so far. It underlines the great form Igor Tudor's side are in, with the fourth best attack in Serie A this season and being the only side with three players among the top 10 goalscorers in Serie A. They are also the only side in Europe's big leagues to already have three players that have scored nine goals or more."

Have the team's ambitions for the season changed now, then?

"The only target remains staying up. But, given that they already have 36 points after 25 matches, it's true that Hellas can start to realistically dream about achieving something more over the final 13 games."

How might the team change its approach for this one, compared to the game against Udinese?

"Very little, if at all. Faraoni could come back into the side to replace Depaoli but I don't expect any other major changes byond that. The formation (3-4-2-1) is pretty much set at this point; the individual players can change from time-to-time but Verona have shown they can travel throughout Italy with this system and show who they are.

"I hope that Giovanni Simone gets back among the goals on Saturday evening at the Olimpico. He's now gone eight games without troubling the scoring charts, despite having 12 goals to his name this season. He remains a key piece for Tudor and will want to get back on track in that department."

In your opinion, which element of this Roma team would Tudor prefer they be without?

"The desire the team and Jose Mourinho will have to get back to winning ways in front of their fans."

If you could, which players would you love to steal off Roma?

"I feel Tammy Abraham, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Nicolo Zaniolo are the players with the most quality among the Giallorossi ranks. I also have a lot of admiration and affection for Marash Kumbulla, who came through the system and broke into the first team at Verona. I would love to see him wear the club's kit again one day."

What is your prediction for the game on Saturday?

"To come away with a point at the Olimpico would feel like a victory for Verona."