Roma vs Venezia

After a much-needed victory last week, Roma aims to achieve consecutive wins in Serie A when they host Venezia at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. Both teams have struggled early in the season, but with recent results offering a glimmer of hope, this matchup could be pivotal in shaping the course of their respective campaigns. Venezia, who also earned their first win last time out, are just two points behind Roma in the standings, making this encounter a crucial opportunity for both sides to climb the table.

Roma's Season So Far: A Rocky Start, A New Manager, and Fresh Hope

Roma began the 2024-25 Serie A campaign with high hopes, but after collecting only three points from their first four matches, the club decided to part ways with legendary midfielder-turned-manager Daniele De Rossi. De Rossi, a beloved figure at the club for his storied playing career, struggled to translate his success on the pitch to the managerial hot seat. His departure came as no surprise given Roma's underwhelming performances, which included a draw and two defeats that left fans frustrated and disillusioned.

In a bid to stabilize the situation, Roma's board moved swiftly to appoint Ivan Juric, a manager with experience in Italian football, most notably with Torino. Known for his pragmatic approach and ability to organize defensively solid teams, Juric's arrival was seen as a strategic choice to help steady the ship. Despite facing initial backlash from some sections of the Roma fanbase, who held De Rossi in high regard, Juric wasted no time in making an impact.

His first match in charge saw Roma secure a resounding 3-0 victory over an in-form Udinese side. Artem Dovbyk, a player who has been central to Roma's attack, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal, while Tommaso Baldanzi and Paulo Dybala added to the tally. This win not only gave the team a vital three points but also lifted the mood around the club, instilling a sense of optimism for the matches ahead.

Roma's Europa League Journey Begins: A Case of Missed Opportunity

Fresh off the back of their Serie A victory, Roma turned their attention to the Europa League, where they were set to face Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in their opening group-stage fixture. The match, played at Stadio Olimpico, started brightly for the Giallorossi as Dovbyk once again found the back of the net in the first half, giving Roma the lead. Juric’s tactical setup seemed to be paying dividends, with Roma controlling much of the game and creating several chances.

However, as the match wore on, Athletic Bilbao began to grow into the game, and their persistence paid off when they equalized in the 85th minute, courtesy of a well-taken strike. While Roma had been on course for back-to-back victories under Juric, the late goal from the Basque side left the home fans disappointed. Although a 1-1 draw against strong European opposition wasn’t a disastrous result, it felt like a missed opportunity for the Italian club, especially considering their dominance for much of the match.

Nevertheless, Juric will likely take heart from the overall performance, as Roma showed significant improvement both defensively and in terms of their attacking fluidity compared to the early weeks of the season. The challenge now will be to maintain this upward trajectory and secure consistency in both domestic and European competitions.

Stadio Olimpico: A Fortress Under Siege?

One of the key challenges facing Roma this season has been their form at Stadio Olimpico. Historically, the stadium has been a fortress for the Giallorossi, where they have dominated most visiting teams. However, dating back to the latter part of last season, their home form has been patchy at best. Roma has won only two of their last seven home games in all competitions, a worrying statistic for a club with ambitions of competing at the top of the Serie A table and making deep runs in Europe.

This recent slump contrasts sharply with their earlier success at home, where they had won five of six games prior to this stretch of poor results. Juric will be keenly aware of the need to restore Roma’s home dominance if they are to push up the Serie A standings and remain competitive in the Europa League. Despite the setbacks, there are reasons for optimism: Roma has managed to score in each of their last 23 Serie A matches at Stadio Olimpico, their longest scoring streak at home since 2017.

In addition to their attacking prowess, Roma boasts a remarkable record against Venezia. The Giallorossi have scored in each of their last 19 league meetings with Venezia, a streak that Juric will be eager to extend on Sunday. If Roma can maintain their offensive output and tighten up defensively, there is every chance they could claim another crucial victory.

Venezia’s Struggles: A Tough Season Ahead

For Venezia, the 2024-25 season has been a tough one so far. After securing promotion back to Serie A through the Serie B playoffs last season, the Lagunari were hoping to make a splash in the top flight. However, their return to the big stage has been far from smooth, with early results leaving them at the bottom of the table. With just one point from their first four games, Venezia found themselves languishing in last place before finally securing a much-needed victory last week.

Eusebio Di Francesco, the man tasked with keeping Venezia in Serie A, has a rich history in Italian football, including a previous spell in charge of Roma. Di Francesco's return to Stadio Olimpico as Venezia's manager adds an interesting subplot to this weekend’s fixture. The coach will be keen to put one over his former employers, but the task is a daunting one. Venezia has not won a Serie A match at Stadio Olimpico since 1947, and they have failed to win any of their last eight visits to the Italian capital.

Despite the challenges, Di Francesco will take encouragement from his team’s recent performance against Genoa. In that match, Venezia finally got off the mark with a 2-0 win, with goals from Gianluca Busio and Joel Pohjanpalo. The latter, who was Venezia’s top scorer during their promotion campaign, missed a penalty earlier in the game but redeemed himself with a late strike to secure the victory. The win provided a much-needed boost for the team’s morale, lifting them off the bottom of the table and giving them something to build on as they head into the clash with Roma.

Tactical Battle: Juric vs. Di Francesco

Tactically, the matchup between Ivan Juric and Eusebio Di Francesco promises to be an intriguing one. Juric is known for his organized, high-pressing style, which has been a hallmark of his teams in previous stints at clubs like Torino and Hellas Verona. His Roma side will likely look to press Venezia high up the pitch, forcing turnovers and creating quick transitions to catch the visitors off guard. With players like Paulo Dybala and Tommaso Baldanzi capable of unlocking defenses with their creativity, Roma’s attacking approach will be centered around quick ball movement and exploiting spaces behind Venezia’s defense.

On the other hand, Di Francesco’s Venezia will likely adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on defensive solidity and looking to hit Roma on the counterattack. With Joel Pohjanpalo leading the line, Venezia has a striker capable of finishing chances, and they will rely on him to capitalize on any opportunities that come their way. However, Di Francesco’s record against Roma is far from encouraging. In 12 previous meetings as a manager, he has failed to win a single match, losing nine of those encounters.

Key Players to Watch

For Roma, much of the focus will be on Artem Dovbyk, who has been in fine form recently. The Ukrainian striker has been a key figure in Roma’s attack, scoring in both the Udinese victory and the Europa League draw against Athletic Bilbao. His ability to hold up play and bring others into the game, combined with his clinical finishing, makes him a vital asset for Juric’s side. Additionally, the creative spark of Paulo Dybala and Tommaso Baldanzi will be crucial in breaking down Venezia’s defense.

On the Venezia side, Joel Pohjanpalo is the player to watch. The Finnish forward was instrumental in Venezia’s promotion last season, and he opened his account for this campaign with a goal against Genoa. His physical presence and poaching instincts make him a constant threat in the box, and Roma’s defense will need to be wary of his ability to capitalize on even the slightest of mistakes.

Final Thoughts and Match Prediction

As Roma prepares to welcome Venezia to Stadio Olimpico, both teams will be desperate for three points to kickstart their campaigns. For Roma, the goal will be to build on their recent win and continue adapting to life under Ivan Juric. A win on Sunday would not only move them further up the Serie A table but also strengthen the belief that they can turn their season around. For Venezia, a positive result would be a huge boost as they continue their fight for survival in the top flight.

Given Roma’s superior quality, home advantage, and recent upturn in form, they will enter the match as favorites. However, Venezia will not be without hope, especially after their win against Genoa. The key for Di Francesco’s side will be to stay organized defensively and take advantage of any opportunities on the counterattack.