Claudio Ranieri’s baptism of fireplace as Roma boss begins on Sunday when he leads his boyhood membership at Serie A leaders Napoli, considered one of a trio of powerful exams awaiting the veteran coach because the Italian prime flight will get again underway.
Lifelong Roma fan Ranieri stated after he was employed final week that he has “no time for errors” as he makes an attempt to salvage one thing from a season which seems to be pretty much as good as over.
Roma head to Napoli in twelfth, 4 factors above the relegation zone after 4 defeats in 5 league matches below Ranieri’s predecessor Ivan Juric, who was sacked following a house loss by the hands of Bologna earlier than the worldwide break.
However whereas a drop to Serie B is unlikely given the standard of the squad and Ranieri’s expertise, Roma are already 12 factors away from the Champions League positions that are a key goal of the billionaire Friedkin household who personal the membership and have been the goal of supporter ire.
Roma have not certified for Europe’s elite membership competitors since 2018 and followers had been outraged by the sacking of idol Daniele De Rossi in September, after he was given a three-year contract only some months earlier than.
Ranieri could must do with out the perennially injured Paulo Dybala, who educated on his personal on Thursday, whereas Mats Hummels must watch for his first begin after coming down with the flu.
After Napoli, the capital membership journey to London to face Tottenham within the Europa League earlier than taking over high-flying Atalanta, who’re considered one of six sides presently contesting a crowded league title race.
Antonio Conte’s Napoli are some extent forward of Atalanta, Fiorentina, reigning champions Inter Milan and Lazio, with Juventus an additional level again in sixth.
Conte, with the assistance of a clutch of summer time signings together with ex-Roma striker Romelu Lukaku, has managed to stabilise a group that put within the worst Scudetto defence because the Sixties.
Midfield lynchpin Stanislav Lobotka will make his first begin since early October, however Conte is sweating on the situation of Scott McTominay who picked up a foot damage on worldwide obligation with Scotland.
Juve in the meantime tackle AC Milan — who sit seventh however are eight factors behind Napoli with a sport in hand — on the San Siro on Saturday night with Timothy Weah set to tackle the seven-time European champions on the identical floor the place his father as soon as dominated the roost.
George Weah received the Ballon d’Or a number of months after becoming a member of Milan from Paris Saint-Germain in 1995 and subsequently received two Serie A titles whereas scoring a number of memorable objectives.
And with Dusan Vlahovic out with a thigh knock — the most recent in an extended line of accidents for Juve — Weah might but begin at centre-forward simply as his dad did.
Promising 19-year-old ahead Kenan Yildiz will return to the scene of his best hour up to now in a Juve jersey, after his late brace final month gave his group a outstanding 4-4 draw away to Inter.
Man to look at: Patrick Vieira
France and Arsenal icon Vieira has to get Genoa up and operating shortly after being employed on Wednesday following the sacking of Alberto Gilardino, who struggled this season in tough circumstances.
Genoa sit one place and level above the relegation zone forward of their Sunday fixture at residence to Cagliari after two wins up to now this season and an damage disaster so unhealthy they gave Mario Balotelli his final likelihood on the prime stage.
Gilardino, who acquired Genoa promoted final 12 months, paid for these poor outcomes however his job was made harder not simply by a wave of accidents however the membership promoting his two greatest gamers — Mateo Retegui and Albert Gudmundsson — shut to begin of the season.
Fixtures (occasions GMT)
Saturday
Verona v Inter Milan (1400), AC Milan v Juventus (1700), Parma v Atalanta (1945)
Sunday
Genoa v Cagliari (1130), Como v Fiorentina, Torino v Monza (1400), Napoli v Roma (1700), Lazio v Bologna (1945)
Monday
Empoli v Udinese (1730), Venezia v Lecce (1945)
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