As Serie A approaches its end-of-year fixtures, Roma is set to face Genoa at the iconic Stadio Olimpico. This matchup, part of Matchday 17, features two clubs with strong historical ties to their respective coaches. Gian Piero Gasperini is fondly remembered at Genoa, while Daniele De Rossi returns to his old club in a new capacity.
Recent Performance of Roma and Genoa
Roma is currently battling for a top-four finish but suffered a setback before Christmas with a 2-1 loss to Juventus. This defeat followed earlier losses to Napoli and Cagliari, despite wins in European and domestic cups against Celtic and Como. The Giallorossi have gained only three points from their last four league games.
Despite these struggles, Roma holds the best defensive record in Serie A, conceding just 10 goals over 16 matches. Since Claudio Ranieri took charge, the team’s performance has improved significantly, earning them the highest points in the league this season.
For Genoa, Daniele De Rossi’s arrival has made a positive impact. After a rough start, the club has picked up two wins and two draws, lifting them out of the relegation zone. However, their recent form is shaky, with losses to Inter and Atalanta, the latter being particularly challenging due to a red card that affected their performance.
Head-to-Head History
- In the last 20 league meetings, Roma has won 14, losing only once.
- Out of 64 top-flight matches played in Rome, Genoa has secured only nine victories, with the last win dating back to 1990.
Team News Ahead of the Match
Roma will be without Lorenzo Pellegrini due to a hamstring injury, joining Leon Bailey on the sidelines. Key defender Evan Ndicka is participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. However, coach Gasperini has welcomed Artem Dovbyk back from injury. Dovbyk is currently the team’s top scorer for 2025.
On the Genoa side, they face challenges in goalkeeping due to the suspension of Nicola Leali and the broken finger of Benjamin Siegrist. Daniele Sommariva is expected to start in their absence. Injuries also affect the squad, including Junior Messias and Maxwel Cornet among others. The return of Leo Ostigard from his injury serves as a boost for De Rossi.
Potential Lineups
| Roma | Genoa |
|---|---|
| Svilar | Sommariva |
| Celik | Marcandalli |
| Mancini | Ostigard |
| Hermoso | Vazquez |
| Rensch | Norton-Cuffy |
| Kone | Frendrup |
| Cristante | Malinovskyi |
| Wesley | Ellertsson |
| Soule | Martin |
| Baldanzi | Vitinha |
| Dybala | Colombo |
Match Prediction
Many predict a close match, favoring Roma with a forecast of 1-0. The team is currently on a streak without draws in 28 matches. While Roma’s defense has faced recent challenges, they are typically strong at home, suggesting De Rossi’s return may not yield the desired upset for Genoa.
