Serie A: Roma Bring Fresh Impetus to Florence

Fiorentina vs AS Roma

There’s a fresh mojo about AS Roma right now.

Now, don’t think for a minute I am adopting a U-turn following the comments I made a matter of weeks ago.

For I still believe the two European finals (one was a Europa Conference final, in fairness) Jose Mourinho has guided them to in recent years will be the best it gets for a while.

Yet after the (brief) era of the self-styled ‘Special One’, some around the Stadio Olimpico have been lifted by the arrival of his successor – and so has their Serie A form.

That makes their trip to Florence on Sunday evening extra important.

Talking Points

That is because, as it stands, the impact Daniele De Rossi has had on the team since his appointment in mid-January is impressive.

Of course, this has been seen before with many a new man at the helm – it’s called the ‘new manager bounce’.

However, the legendary club figure has been able to lift the Giallorossi in such a short amount of time that they are now dreaming about Champions League football next term.

Seven victories, one win and one draw across Serie A and Europa League action have seen his players respond very well to his arrival and even the sole defeat came at the hands of runaway leaders Inter Milan.

Certainly, in De Rossi, they have a coach who clearly and loudly believes in his players, his club, his fans and his future and many in the passionate eternal city love him for it.

After seeing off Feyenoord for the third season running, they were far too strong for an injury-hit Brighton in midweek and have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Now it’s back to what they hope will be Serie A highlights with fourth placed Bologna (and a guaranteed Champions League berth) in their sights.

Fiorentina may currently be in eighth spot but victory for them would move to within two points of their opponents and reinvigorate their own European challenge.

They were also in European action on Thursday night as they edged a seven goal thriller against Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa in a chaotic encounter.

Their danger man may even be a Roma player with on-loan striker Andrea Belotti, who has six league goals against the Giallorossi, presumably keen to prove a point to his parent club. Fellow forward Lucas Beltran is suspended.

Roma, who have Rasmus Kristensen serving a ban of his own, will have their attack spearheaded by Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala, the latter just crowned Serie A player of the month for February after netting five times in three league matches.

History

Roma have defeated the pride of Florence 33 times historically with 14 Fiorentina victories and 16 draws since 2001 .

Fiorentina have won this fixture for the past two seasons.

Last year they recorded a 2-1 success, courtesy of dramatic late goals from Luka Jovic (85) and Jonathan Ikone (88) to overturn an opener from Stephan El Shaarawy (11).

It was a game which ended Roma’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via their Serie A position.

Fiorentina had also won 2-0 at home the previous campaign when two goals in the opening 11 minutes – from a Nico Gonzalez penalty and Jack Bonaventura – won the day.

Roma won by the same scoreline at home last season, thanks to a Paulo Dybala double.

The contest in the Italian capital earlier this season finished 1-1 and was something of a feisty encounter.

Romelu Lukaku scored but was later sent off as the home side finished with nine men.

The Belgium striker headed the hosts into an early lead before Lucas Martinez Quarta’s glancing header brought Fiorentina level midway through the second half after Roma’s Nicola Zalewski had collected a second booking.

Lukaku was given a straight red for a studs-up foul three minutes from time and Viola ended the contest with 10 men after Nikola Milenkovic’s dismissal deep into stoppage time.

Betting Tip

Fiorentina have the slight edge with the SBOTOP Serie A betting odds – priced 1X2 @ 2.42 and Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.42.

That contrasts with Roma who are on offer 1X2 @ 2.72 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.16.

A repeat of the corresponding fixture last term will pay out @ 12.00 with Correct Score 2-0.

These sides seem to score and concede a fair few so I’ve naturally looked at goal bets such as over

2.75 @ 2.26, Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.21, 2-3 @ 1.91 and 4-6 @ 3.45.

With both clubs in European action on Thursday night, there may be some tired limbs, although I am still expecting a committed contest between two sides who have not totally given up hopes of a top four finish in Serie A – at this stage, a top five finish could well be enough to secure Champions League qualification.

 

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