Rome vs Lecce – News and Probable Lineups

Following a disappointing Europa League exit in midweek, Roma gears up to return to Serie A action on Sunday evening, aiming to revive their faltering top-four ambitions at home against struggling Lecce.

After facing a setback against Bologna in a thrilling all-Italian match, the capital side will remain at Stadio Olimpico for this vital league encounter.

Match overview

Despite battling through numerous difficulties across two legs, Roma faced a dramatic defeat in their last-16 Europa League tie against domestic competitors Bologna, ultimately losing 5-4 on aggregate in a captivating back-and-forth match.

After last week’s 1-1 draw at Stadio Dall’Ara, the teams faced off again in Rome on Thursday evening, where Bologna took the lead twice before a late equalizer from Lorenzo Pellegrini sent the match into extra time.

The visitors regained the advantage, and Roma could not respond, resulting in coach Gian Piero Gasperini lamenting a series of costly defensive mistakes.

Roma has also hit a rough patch in Serie A, losing their grip on a Champions League qualifying spot and dropping to sixth place.

After squandering a two-goal lead to only draw against top-four rivals Juventus, they faltered once more with a loss in Genoa, before being left empty-handed in their recent trip to fellow Champions League contenders Como.

Despite Donyell Malen putting Roma ahead from the penalty spot, an early red card for Wesley led to a 2-1 defeat, allowing their opponents to pull three points clear.

Having gone five matches without a victory, ‘Gasp’ must leverage his extensive experience to turnaround their fortunes. His team has now lost ten league matches this season, one more than all of last term, which began disastrously before Claudio Ranieri stepped in to provide assistance.

Roma will be pleased to face their favored opponents at the Olimpico: they’ve not lost any of their last 18 home fixtures against Lecce after suffering their only initial defeat at home in 1986.

In fact, Lecce has experienced 16 defeats since that sole victory, allowing an average of 2.6 goals per match on their travels to face Roma.

However, the Salentini will be determined to achieve a significant upset on Sunday as they continue their struggle for survival in Serie A.

Following a vital win in a recent six-pointer against Cremonese, Eusebio Di Françasco’s side moved away from the relegation zone, yet they remain in peril after their loss to Napoli last time out.

Despite initially leading through Jamal Siebert’s header in the third minute, Lecce was ultimately defeated by the title-holders, marking their fifth loss in their past six away fixtures.

As they compete with Cremo, Fiorentina, and Cagliari to steer clear of the 18th spot when the season concludes in May, they must earn more points against the stronger teams in Serie A.

Against clubs currently in the top half, Lecce has garnered only four points from 15 games to date — scoring just six goals — which does not bode well for their trip to the capital.

Team News

Roma remains without several forwards due to injuries, including Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, and Matias Soule, while essential midfielder Manu Kone has joined them on the injury list.

Additionally, Brazilian wing-back Wesley is suspended for one match following his controversial red card in the match against Como.

On a positive note for Gasperini, Evan Ndicka will return after a suspension that sidelined him during last week’s league defeat. The Ivorian defender, who scored in midweek, has netted in each of his last three Serie A appearances after having gone 83 matches without a goal.

Due to a shortage of available options, Malen might need to start again after playing 120 minutes on Thursday.

Meanwhile, underperforming striker Nikola Stulic is expected to spearhead Lecce’s attack, though he has yet to score an away goal this season.

With no prolific scorer since Nikola Krstovic transferred to Atalanta, the Salentini have seen their last seven league goals come from seven different players.

Medon Berisha, Françasco Camarda, and Kialonda Gaspar remain unavailable for the visitors, while Mali midfielder Lassana Coulibaly sustained a thigh strain against Napoli.

Roma probable starting XI:

Unfold; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, Kone, Wesley; Pisilli, Pellegrini; Malen

Lecce probable starting XI:

Falcon; Veiga, Gabriel, Siebert, Gallo; Ramadani, Ngom; Pierotti, Gandelman, Banda; Stulic

Despite Roma’s recent defensive frailties and their toughest patch of the season, they can keep their Champions League aspirations alive with a win over a limited Lecce side.

Di Françasco’s squad lacks the necessary firepower to threaten his former club, while Gasperini will expect a swift response to recent performances.