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Serie A Preview: Lecce - Roma
What: Serie A – Matchday 13
Who: Lecce (15th, 12 points) v Roma (17th, 11 points)
When: Sunday 23 November 2008, 15:00 CET
Where: Stadio Via Del Mare, Lecce
| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £18.50 | Draw £32.50 | Lecce £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £19.10 | Draw £31.00 | Lecce £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £18.33 | Draw £32.00 | Lecce £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £18.30 | Draw £34.00 | Lecce £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Atalanta £18.50 | Draw £33.00 | Lecce £39.00 |
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Nov 21, 2008 12:04:35 PM
Lecce host Roma this weekend in an intriguing fixture at the Via Del Mare stadium between two sides who have been struggling in the bottom half of the table for the majority of the season.
Lecce Keen To Continue Undefeated Run At Home
The newly promoted Lecce have made a respectable start to their return to the Italian topflight, after two seasons in Serie B. They currently sit in 15th position in the standings - a position that does not fairly reflect their performances to date.
Despite having won just two of 12 matches thus far, the Giallorossi of Lecce have proved to be tough opponents for most of the sides they have faced, as they have managed to get results against Milan (1-1), Lazio (1-1), Palermo (1-1) and Udinese (2-2) throughout the campaign.
They have managed to draw on more occasions than any other side in the league, as six of their first 12 matches have ended all square. Their home record is solid at this point in time as well, as it reads two wins, four draws, and zero losses from six games.
In the lead up to their match with Milan a couple of weeks ago, the team were optimistic of attaining a result, despite not looking like they had a chance on paper. The Salentini managed to get a draw from that contest, and so they will be hoping to approach this particular contest in a similar manner.
They will have it all to do, however, as they come up against a determined Roma side who will be inspired by their performance in the Derby della Capitale last weekend. Having said that, Mario Beretta’s men will be aware of the trouble their opponents have had on the road this season, something that they will be looking to take full advantage of.
Lecce should be confident heading into this contest. If they play with the same self-belief and determination they showed against Milan, there is no reason why a point or three won’t be on the cards this weekend.
Roma Looking To Build On Derby Performance
The Giallorossi of Rome were simply brilliant in the Derby della Capitale last weekend, and have potentially managed to resurrect their challenge with a potentially season-defining 1-0 victory over bitter rivals Lazio.
A solitary goal from Julio Baptista was enough to give the Romans all three points, which could prove to be vital in the context of the campaign.
Luciano Spalletti’s men are still languishing in a dismal 17th place, with just 11 points recorded from the opening 12 rounds of football. They do still have a game in hand against Sampdoria, however, as their match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch almost a month ago.
The victory over Lazio and the triumph in the Champions League against Chelsea a few weeks ago have proven that the capital club do have what it takes to mix it with the best.
The main concern for Spalletti and his side will be their form away from home this season, which has produced just one point from six matches - that coming against Bologna. In that particular match, Francesco Totti opened the scoring in the second half, before a last minute own goal by Cicinho denied the Romans their first victory on the road this season.
Roma are still yet to put two successive wins together this term, so they will certainly be hoping to change that in Lecce this weekend. They will be aware that time is continuing to run out, if they wish to revive their dismal campaign. A win is once again a must for them this weekend.
Despite facing a newly promoted club, I Lupi won’t have it all their way, as it has been made clear that the Salentini are a force to reckon with at home.
Spalletti’s men can ill afford another poor showing against a weaker side, though. If they do fail to win, their quest to play Champions League football next season will be put into further jeopardy, as they could potentially slip 15 points behind the fourth-placed side, whoever that may be.
As has been the case in recent weeks, another uninspiring performance could see the red half of Rome slip into the bottom three for the first time this season. They will be desperate to avoid that.
FORM GUIDE
Lecce
November 16 v Sampdoria (A) LOST 2-3
November 9 v Milan (H) DREW 1-1
November 2 v Atalanta (A) DREW 0-0
October 29 v Palermo (H) DREW 1-1
October 26 v Reggina (A) LOST 0-2
Roma
November 16 v Lazio (H) WON 1-0
November 8 v Bologna (A) DREW 1-1
November 4 v Chelsea (H) WON 3-1 (Champions League)
November 1 v Juventus (A) LOST 0-2
October 26 v Udinese (H) LOST 1-3
TEAM NEWS
Lecce:
There are no major concerns in terms of injuries for Beretta and his coaching staff, as they will only be without their goalkeeper Davide Petrachi and Brazilian fullback Angelo, who are both certain to miss out once again. There are no players missing through suspension, and only Souleymane Diamoutene is one booking away from a week on the sidelines; although it is expected that he will start from the bench.
Possible Starting XI: (4-4-2) – Benussi; Polenghi, Stendardo, Fabiano, Antunes; Munari, Giacomazzi, Zanchetta, Ariatti; Cacia, Tiribocchi.
Roma:
The most significant news on the injury front for the Giallorossi concerns the return of Alberto Aquilani, who is set to make a comeback from a thigh injury that has kept him out of action for around a month. Meanwhile, David Pizarro returns from suspension, whilst Simone Perrotta misses out through suspension, following the red card he picked up against Lazio.
Ex-Lecce men, Max Tonetto, Marco Cassetti and Mirko Vucinic all will have the opportunity to do battle with their former club this weekend, with all eyes on the latter in particular, who most recently officially left the club after making 111 appearances for them.
Possible Starting XI: (4-3-1-2) – Doni; Cassetti, Juan, Mexes, Tonetto; Pizarro, De Rossi, Aquilani; Baptista; Vucinic, Totti.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lecce – Simone Tiribocchi: The Roman born player has scored four of his side’s 12 goals this season, and is undoubtedly their strongest player in attack. If the home side are to achieve any form of result against the capital club this weekend, then this man will have to be at his absolute best. He will most likely need to score in the process, to ensure that his side maintain their undefeated record at home this season.
Roma – Mirko Vucinic: The Montenegrin captain has only scored once in the league this season. However, he has proved that he is capable of doing the damage when required, as he recently did against Chelsea in the Champions League. The last time he visited the Via Del Mare was just a few months ago, when his nation took on the Azzurri in a World Cup qualifier - one in which he scored in - and so he will be keen to continue his good run of form in his former hunting ground.
PREDICTION
It will be a tight contest in Lecce this weekend, as both sides will be confident heading into the match. It will be a tough opening, with very few shots in the opening half. However, I feel that in the second half the Roman determination and pressure will be too much for the home side to handle. Two goals in the final thirty minutes to Totti and Vucinic will be enough for the capital club to continue their climb up the Serie A standings.
Lecce 0-2 Roma
Adrian Del Monte
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