The Spanish sun awakens, setting fire to the pitches of La Liga, and the battle lines are drawn! In a midweek match that crackles with anticipation, Diego Simeone’s battle-hardened Atletico Madrid descend upon the fortress of Estadi Montilivi, ready to test their mettle against a Girona side buzzing with the confidence of an unexpected climb.
Forget sleepy siesta football! This is a clash of titans, where Girona’s fearless attack, fueled by the magic of Stuani and Castellanos, promises to tangle with Atletico’s granite defense, a wall sculpted by the steely gaze of Oblak. Simeone, the master puppeteer, will pull the strings, orchestrating a tactical ballet of pressing and counter-pressing, while Girona’s Michel, the rising star, dreams of painting his own masterpiece on the canvas of the pitch.
Roma v Cremonese H2H and Form
Roma edged Cremonese in recent clashes, but home advantage was key in the Coppa Italia tie.
Roma hold a narrow edge over Cremonese in their recent encounters, winning four of the last nine meetings. While Cremonese have claimed three victories in that span, draws have settled two other clashes.
Form suggests home comfort favors Roma. Mourinho’s men have been nearly invincible at home, winning all but one of their last 10 games across competitions (a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina). Cremonese, on the other hand, haven’t tasted victory on the road in their last three outings, losing twice and drawing once since November’s win at Brescia.
Can Cremonese break their away woes and upset the home favorites? Or will Roma’s home dominance and recent edge in this fixture prove too much? This Coppa Italia clash promises a tantalizing battle.
Roma vs Cremonese Team News
Roma set to rotate against Cremonese in Coppa Italia, seeking fresh legs amidst a busy schedule.
With Serie A skipping the winter break this year, expect significant squad rotation from Jose Mourinho’s Roma when they face Cremonese in the Coppa Italia. However, international duty and injuries will leave them short-handed.
Houssem Aouar (Algeria) and Evan Ndicka (Ivory Coast) are unavailable due to AFCON commitments, while Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham remain sidelined domestically. The good news is Marash Kumbulla is nearing a return after a long-term ACL injury, though he’s likely to start from the bench.
Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala might be given a rest, opening the door for Andrea Belotti and fringe players like Sardar Azmoun, Renato Sanches, and Zeki Celik to prove their worth. Celik will be particularly eager to impress after last year’s own goal in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.
Cremonese are also experiencing their share of absences. Cristian Buonaiuto is out for months after thigh surgery, while Alessio Brambilla and Yuri Rocchetti are unavailable. However, Giovanni Stroppa’s men boast a potent attacking duo in Massimo Coda and Franco Vazquez, with options like David Okereke, Felix Afena-Gyan, and Daniel Ciofani offering further firepower.
Both teams prefer a 3-5-2 formation, promising a tactical battle in midfield. Roma’s experience and depth might give them the edge, but Cremonese’s hunger and home advantage shouldn’t be underestimated.
Possible starting lineups:
Roma: Svilar; Celik, Cristante, Llorente; Karsdorp, Bove, Sanches, Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Azmoun, Belotti
Cremonese: Jungdal; Antov, Ravanelli, Bianchetti; Ghiglione, Collocolo, Castagnetti, Pickel, Sernicola; Vazquez, Okereke
Prediction
Despite two late stumbles in 2023, Roma return to their fortress-like Stadio Olimpico, where they’ve been nearly unbreachable this season. Expect a determined performance as Mourinho’s men look to wash away those recent defeats and advance in the Coppa Italia. While a challenge could emerge, the odds favor a dominant display and a comfortable victory for the Giallorossi.
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