Roma vs. Lecce: An Unorthodox Strike Partnership
In a surprising turn of events, AS Roma is set to face off against Lecce with an unorthodox strike partnership of Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy. This match is crucial for Roma’s coach, Claudio Ranieri, who is seeking his first win against the revitalized Lecce team. The game is scheduled to kick off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.
Ranieri’s Struggles and Line-up Changes
Ranieri has faced challenges since becoming Roma’s third coach of the season and fourth of 2024. Recent defeats to Napoli and Atalanta, coupled with a thrilling Europa League draw at Tottenham Hotspur, have put pressure on the team. To add to Ranieri’s woes, Artem Dovbyk is sidelined with flu symptoms, and Bryan Cristante is dealing with a muscular issue. As a result, El Shaarawy has been moved to a pure attacking role alongside Alexis Saelemaekers, supporting Dybala as a False 9. Additionally, Nicolò Pisilli returns from suspension but will start on the bench.
New Management for Lecce
Lecce, under the new management of Marco Giampaolo, has shown promising results with a recent victory against Venezia and a draw against Juventus. Despite missing key players like Antoino Gallo, Lameck Banda, and others, Lecce remains competitive. Patrick Dorgu retains his attacking role, while Ante Rebic gets his first start of the season alongside Nikola Krstovic.
Official Line-ups
Here are the official line-ups for the Roma vs. Lecce match:
Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, N’Dicka; Celik, Koné, Paredes, Angelino; Saelemaekers, El Shaarawy; Dybala
Lecce: Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Jean; Coulibaly, Ramadani, Rafia; Dorgu, Krstovic, Rebic
As the teams gear up for this crucial showdown, all eyes will be on the unorthodox strike partnership of Dybala and El Shaarawy. Will Ranieri secure his first win, or will Lecce continue their impressive form under new management? Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as the action unfolds at the Stadio Olimpico.
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images.