Venezia vs. Roma | Serie A | Pre Match

Still trailing behind in the race for European places, Roma will aim to continue their Serie A revival when they visit Venezia on Sunday in what promises to be a crucial encounter for both sides. The clash at Stadio Penzo sees the Giallorossi looking to build on their recent league momentum while their hosts, Venezia, are fighting desperately to climb out of the relegation zone. With the business end of the season fast approaching, both teams will view this fixture as an opportunity to secure vital points that could shape their respective campaigns.

Roma’s midweek Coppa Italia disappointment means that the Europa League is now their only realistic hope of lifting silverware this season. Their journey in the domestic cup came to an abrupt halt on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final defeat to AC Milan at San Siro. It was a frustrating night for Claudio Ranieri’s men, as they found themselves trailing by two goals at halftime—both scored by Roma-owned striker Tammy Abraham, who seemed intent on proving a point to his parent club. Despite pulling a goal back through Artem Dovbyk, the capital side ultimately fell short, ending their Coppa Italia hopes for another year.

Interim coach Claudio Ranieri, a beloved figure in Italian football and especially in Rome, has brought a sense of stability and renewed belief to the team since taking over. Under his guidance, Roma have started to climb the Serie A table and have also ensured progress in the Europa League. While their league position is still far from where they aim to be, they remain within striking distance of the European qualification spots. A recent 1-1 draw with league leaders Napoli in the Derby del Sole further showcased their resilience. In that match, former Roma player Leonardo Spinazzola put Napoli ahead, only for Angelino—his successor in the left-back role—to fire home a late equalizer, earning Roma a valuable point.

Roma’s league form has been notably improved under Ranieri, with the team currently enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run in Serie A. This comes in stark contrast to their form before his arrival, when they had lost seven of their previous nine league games. Since the managerial change, only Inter Milan have scored more goals in the league, underlining the attacking intent that Ranieri has instilled in his side. However, despite this progress, their away form remains a significant concern. Prior to their hard-fought victory over Udinese late last month, Roma had gone 13 consecutive away games without a win—a statistic that underlines their struggles on the road. They will need to address this inconsistency if they are to mount a serious challenge for European qualification.

Meanwhile, Venezia find themselves in a precarious position, desperately in need of points to avoid slipping deeper into the relegation battle. The Lagunari have been winless in 2025 so far, and they currently sit five points adrift of safety. Their season has been characterized by an inability to hold onto leads, having dropped more points from winning positions than any other team across Europe’s top five leagues. This issue reared its head once again last week when they let a two-goal lead slip against Udinese, eventually losing 3-2. Hans Nicolussi Caviglia had briefly given them hope with a spectacular free-kick, his third goal from outside the box this season, but defensive frailties once again proved their undoing.

Despite their overall struggles, Venezia have been relatively resilient at home, losing just one of their last five matches at Stadio Penzo. With back-to-back home games against Roma and Lazio, they have an opportunity to turn their fortunes around and put pressure on the teams above them. Former Roma player and coach Eusebio Di Francesco will be keen to get one over his old club, and his tactical approach will be crucial in determining whether Venezia can cause an upset. The team has had to cope with several departures during the winter transfer window, most notably the sale of top scorer Joel Pohjanpalo to Serie B side Palermo. His absence leaves a significant void in attack, and new signing Daniel Fila will compete with John Yeboah and Christian Gytkjaer to step up in his place.

Team selection will play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of this contest, particularly with both managers needing to manage their squads carefully due to upcoming fixtures. Roma have a Europa League playoff against Porto looming, and Ranieri may opt to rotate his squad accordingly. Artem Dovbyk is expected to return to the starting lineup after making an impact off the bench in the Coppa Italia defeat. Meanwhile, Bryan Cristante and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini are likely to be reinstated in midfield, especially with Manu Kone suspended for this match. Defensively, Gianluca Mancini is available again after serving a suspension, providing a boost to the Giallorossi’s backline. New signings Devyne Rensch, Lucas Gourna-Douath, and Anass Salah-Eddine will also be available for selection.

Venezia, on the other hand, continue to grapple with injury concerns. Their absentee list includes Michael Svoboda, Marin Sverko, Richie Sagrado, Alfred Duncan, and Domen Crnigoj. Adding to their woes, first-choice goalkeeper Filip Stankovic—who has impressed since joining on loan from Inter Milan—is ruled out until next month. This means that Ionut Radu is set to deputize between the posts, a significant change that Roma may look to exploit.

With Roma eyeing a return to European competition and Venezia fighting for their top-flight survival, this match carries significant stakes for both sides. While the Giallorossi have the superior squad on paper, their inconsistent away form suggests that this could be a tricky fixture. Venezia, despite their struggles, have demonstrated resilience at home and will be eager to capitalize on any potential Roma complacency.

The tactical battle between Ranieri and Di Francesco will be fascinating to watch. Roma’s attacking talents, including Dybala, Dovbyk, and Pellegrini, will be expected to break down a Venezia defense that has been leaky this season. Meanwhile, the hosts will rely on counter-attacks and set-piece opportunities, where they have shown some effectiveness, particularly through Nicolussi Caviglia’s deliveries.

As the match approaches, Roma’s fans will hope that their team can build on their recent Serie A form and put the Coppa Italia disappointment behind them. A win would keep them in the hunt for European places, while anything less would be a setback in an already competitive race for continental qualification. Venezia, on the other hand, will see this as a potential turning point in their campaign—a chance to spark a survival push by securing a much-needed victory against one of Italy’s traditional giants.

Ultimately, this encounter at Stadio Penzo promises drama, tension, and high stakes, with both teams desperate for a positive result. Whether it will be Roma continuing their resurgence or Venezia pulling off a crucial upset remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: neither side can afford to take this match lightly.