View from the Opposition: Cremonese

We get the lowdown on Monday's visitors to the Stadio Olimpico...

The game, a 18:30 CEST kick-off, is yet another sell-out - with over 60,000 fans expected to attend.

We spoke to Andrea Ferrari from Cuore Grigiorosso to get an insight into how Cremonese, back in Serie A after 26 years, might approach the match...

Cremonese will be playing at the Olimpico in Serie A again after 26 years - how is the mood in the city?

"It's fever pitch here, just like it was last season for the first game in Serie A in 9590 days.

"Being at the Olimpico will make it really special, the city of Cremona lives for these moments. It's a game that, whichever way it goes, will live on in the club's history - because obviously it's not that often that the two clubs are in the same league.

"It's always a great atmosphere when Roma are playing and the stadium is sold out, but Cremo will do everything possible to ruin the occasion for them. In Florence they were very close to doing so."

What is the approach favoured by Massimiliano Alvini, in terms of formation and tactics?

"Alvini lives and breathes football, he's extremely passionate about the game. He's joked more than once about how he cheats on his wife with football. He doesn't sleep before games - or after them, if they haven't gone the way he wanted.

"He builds a good bond with his players, staff, board and the fanbase - his qualities as a person have seen the fans really take to him. They will support him whatever goes on to happen this season, I think - even if, for obvious reasons given this is the first time the team is back in the top flight, things quickly become tricky.

"In terms of playing style, pre-season say the team play in a 3-4-1-2 o 3-4-2-1. He wants his side to win the ball back quickly through pressing and then get it forward quickly, looking for the forwards. Probably a senisble approach for a team just adjusting to life in Serie A."

What are the main characteristics of this Cremonese side?

"I would highlight how they look going forward: the technical ability and speed with the ball of Zanimacchia and Buonaiuto, along with the pressing from the midfield duo (Pickel-Ascacibar and or Castagnetti/Escalante) and then the forwards themselves.

Dessers and Okereke, both new signings and both Nigerian, already seem to have a good understanding and do a great job of finding spaces where they can really hurt the opposition. They are not just fast and strong but also technically they have real quality and can cause problems.

"The side also attacks well from out wide - Valeri and Ghiglione, on the left and right respectively, hold their own in that regard."

After the mistake against Fiorentina how will goalkeeper Radu react?

"Radu has the support of everything around the club and the mistake - as the boss said himself after the game - was immediately made up for.

"It's a shame that a lot of media outlets want to dredge things up and go over them for clicks at all costs, without acknowledging that the same goalkeeper saved Cremonese on many other occasions up until that last-minute goal.

"He's been training with the group like nothing happened. Clearly, from a mental perspective it's not going to be easy for the lad especially when so many others have had things to say. But it's a mistake that will happen in his line of works and he is still nonetheless the goalkeeper really, really wanted and believe in as they look to stay in the division."

What will the side be most worried about when it comes to Roma?

"Definitely Cremonese will be a bit awed by the quality and quantity of options in both midfield and attack that the Giallorossi hvae. With all of them available, it could even see Georginio Wijnaldum start for the first time.

"Against Fiorentina they showed that they are still a bit of a work-in-progress defensively, especially coping in one-on-one situations against players who know how to beat their man. So it's probably going to prove tough for them to stop Dybala, Zaniolo, Abraham and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

"I'd even add Leonardo Spinazzola to that - both Aggiungerei anche Spinazzola: both Ghiglione and Bianchetti (or whoever else may play down that flank) will have to make sure they don't give him too much space."

What's your prediction for the game?

"It all really depends on how Roma come out really, for obvious reasons. Cremonese have changed about 20 players from last season and it will take time for them to all get to know each other; that process has already started, but it's hardly stabilised just yet. Games like this will only help that process.

"Roma are clear favourites but Cremo will try and frustrate them as much as possible, limit them where they are strongest, and see where that gets them."