Torino is set to face Roma once again on Sunday evening, having recently triumphed over them in the Coppa Italia. This matchup marks the second meeting between the two clubs within five days. Torino previously defeated Roma 1-0 in their Serie A clash in September, breaking an eight-match winless streak against them. The Granata aim for a rare seasonal treble, having already knocked Roma out of the cup competition.
Match Preview: Torino vs Roma
In their last encounter at the Stadio Olimpico, Torino showcased resilience. After losing the lead twice, they secured a thrilling 3-2 victory. Che Adams scored twice, while Emirhan Ilkhan netted the decisive goal, propelling them to the quarter-finals to face Inter Milan. This match is crucial for them to achieve their first Serie A double against Roma since 1989.
However, Torino faces challenges in league performance, suffering six losses in their last nine matches, including recent defeats to Udinese and Atalanta. The team’s defense has been under pressure, conceding 32 goals in 20 Serie A fixtures. Manager Marco Baroni’s position could be at risk given the team’s recent form.
Roma’s Recent Performance
Conversely, Roma, despite their cup exit, is focused on the Serie A title race and the Europa League. They have recently secured back-to-back league victories by 2-0 scores against Lecce and Sassuolo. Milan’s Matias Soule stood out, contributing a goal and an assist in the last match. Currently in fifth place, they sit just four points behind second-placed AC Milan, aiming for a spot in the Champions League.
Team News
Both teams are likely to see the return of key players after midweek rotation. Torino cannot call upon Ivan Ilic due to injury, and Adam Masina remains unavailable due to his commitments with Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations. Giovanni Simeone, who scored in their previous meeting, is doubtful, allowing Duvan Zapata to potentially take the lead in the attack.
For Roma, they regain defender Gianluca Mancini from suspension. However, Tommaso Baldanzi is injured, and Artem Dovbyk is confirmed out of the match. New signing Donyell Malen could debut alongside Paulo Dybala in the front line.
Possible Lineups
| Torino | Roma |
|---|---|
| Paleari | Svilar |
| Ismajli, Maripan, Coco | Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso |
| Pedersen, Casadei, Ilkhan, Vlasic, Lazaro | Celik, Cristante, Kone, Wesley |
| Adams, Zapata | Soule, Dybala, Malen |
In summary, this clash presents Torino with a chance to assert dominance over Roma once again. Meanwhile, the Giallorossi aim to bounce back with a strong defensive performance, which has been a key aspect of their game this season. With both teams looking to build momentum, fans can anticipate an exciting match this Sunday evening at El-Balad.
