Roma will look to bounce back from their recent Serie A disappointments when they host Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday evening. Both clubs find themselves in unfamiliar territory this season, languishing near the bottom of their respective leagues, but the cup competition offers a chance for redemption and a path to silverware.
The Giallorossi’s woes continued last weekend with a shocking 2-0 defeat to Como, conceding twice in stoppage time against a team that hadn’t won since September. This result extended Roma’s winless away streak to 15 games, dating back to late April, and left them perilously close to the Serie A relegation zone.
Claudio Ranieri, in his third spell at the club, faces an enormous challenge to turn Roma’s fortunes around. The 73-year-old tactician has overseen just two wins since his return – against Lecce in Serie A and Braga in the Europa League. With the team having lost half of their league games so far, marking their worst start to a season since 1973, the pressure on Ranieri is immense.
The visitors have endured an even more dramatic fall, finding themselves in Serie B after years of top-flight football. Currently 15th in the second tier, Sampdoria recently parted ways with coach Andrea Sottil and are closer to the relegation zone than the promotion playoffs.
However, the Blucerchiati have found some solace in the Coppa Italia, advancing to this stage after a thrilling derby victory over Genoa in the previous round. New manager Leonardo Semplici will hope to rekindle memories of Sampdoria’s golden era when they won the competition four times between 1985 and 1994.
Team News
Ranieri is likely to rotate his squad with an eye on Sunday’s crucial league match against Parma. Key players like Paulo Dybala and Manu Kone may be rested, opening the door for talented youngsters Matias Soule, Tommaso Baldanzi, and Niccolo Pisilli to feature prominently.
Leandro Paredes has returned to training and could bolster the midfield, but Bryan Cristante remains doubtful with an ankle problem, and Mats Hummels is sidelined with flu.
For Sampdoria, Semplici may use this opportunity to assess his squad depth. The visitors will be without injured defenders Simone Romagnoli, Bartosz Bereszynski, and Alex Ferrari. There’s uncertainty in goal, with three keepers vying for the starting spot, though Simone Ghidotti impressed last weekend and may retain his place.
Expected Starting XIs
Roma: Patricio; Djimsiti, Toloi, Godfrey; Palestra, De Roon, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Samardzic, Brescianini; Zaniolo
Sampdoria: Pisseri; Curto, Prestia, Mangraviti; Ceesay, Calo, Bastoni, Donnarumma; Berti, Antonucci; Van Hooijdonk
Match Prediction
This Coppa Italia clash represents a vital chance for both teams to inject positivity into their campaigns. For Roma, progressing in the cup could offer salvation in an otherwise dismal season, while Sampdoria will view this as an opportunity to upset the odds and recapture past glories.
Prediction: Roma 3 – 1 Sampdoria
