Roma will host Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday for Serie A round No. 4. Roma are a perfect six wins from their last six matches in all competitions against Empoli.
Can Jose Mourinho’s team pick up another win over Empoli on Sunday?
📸📸📸📸 | MORNING SESSIONAllenamento mattutino al Sussidiario; nel pomeriggio di nuovo al lavoro verso la sfida di domenica contro la Roma pic.twitter.com/7ntd7qLuVU— Empoli Football Club Official (@EmpoliFC) September 13, 2023
📸📸📸📸 | MORNING SESSIONAllenamento mattutino al Sussidiario; nel pomeriggio di nuovo al lavoro verso la sfida di domenica contro la Roma pic.twitter.com/7ntd7qLuVU
Empoli are struggling and go into the match at the foot of the Serie A table. The Azzurri are last in the table, with zero points from three games.
They are the only team in Serie A to go into round No. 4 with zero points.
Not only have Empoli failed to pick up points to start the season, but they have not scored a goal. Meanwhile the defence conceded five times in three fixtures.
Like Empoli, Roma have not started well this season. The Giallorossi have just one point from three games.
They were outscored 6-4 in those three games. Empoli were beaten 1-0, 2-0, and 2-0 in their opening three fixtures.
After a 2-2 draw against Salernitana at the Stadio Olimpico to begin the season, Roma lost back-to-back games against Hellas Verona and AC Milan. Both games ended in 2-1 defeats.
Roma’s new signing Romelu Lukaku played just 20 minutes for Roma before the international break.
He could start against Empoli. Andrea Belotti, who failed to score in Serie A last season, has tallied half of Roma’s goals this season, with two.
Houssam Aouar and Leonardo Spinazzola scored Roma’s other two goals. Injuries have been an issue for Mourinho’s team this season.
Paulo Dybala has missed gametime and hopes are that he will be available for Sunday.
Dybala led the team in goals last season, with 12. Abraham added eight league goals to the Roma cause in 2022-23.
Stephen El Shaarawy had a rebirth, tallying seven Serie A goals.
Forward Tammy Abraham is out of action due to an ACL injury. Lukaku’s signing was to address the absence of Abraham.
Adding to Mourinho’s absences for this weekend are Renato Sanches and Marash Kumbulla.
Mourinho could also be without Spinazzola, Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Nicola Zalewski. The number of injuries keep mounting for Roma.
Empoli coach Paolo Zanetti could be without goalkeeper Elia Caprile due to an ankle injury. In addition, forward Daniel Maldini could miss the game due to a muscle injury.
Roma should get off the mark with a 2-1 win over Empoli at home. The Giallorossi may be struggling for points, but Empoli are the ideal team to play against this weekend.