As the Serie A season approaches its climax, AS Roma is gearing up to face Hellas Verona on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 20:45 in a crucial match for both teams. After two consecutive draws against Juventus and Lazio, Roma is eager to return to winning ways to keep their hopes of European qualification alive. Meanwhile, Verona, under the guidance of coach Zanetti, is enjoying a solid run, having gone four matches unbeaten and conceding just one goal in that span.
In the lead-up to the match, Roma's coach Claudio Ranieri addressed the media, expressing mixed feelings about his team's chances of qualifying for the Champions League. "Would you bet a euro on us qualifying for the Champions League? You want to lose it? Let’s be honest," he stated, emphasizing the uphill battle his squad faces as they sit five points behind the top four with only six games left to play. Despite their recent struggles, Ranieri acknowledged the team's efforts, noting that they have made an impressive comeback in the latter half of the season.
Ranieri's comments reflect a sense of realism about the team's current form. "It’s not realistic. We must be serious with the fans. I’ve always said: ‘Let’s give our best and see what happens.’ We’ve given everything," he said, urging the fans to support the team during this critical period. He highlighted that while physically the players are in good shape, their overall performance has not reached its peak. "We used to play with two touches, everything flowed naturally before, but now we are not doing that," he explained.
Roma's probable lineup for the match against Verona sees Mile Svilar starting in goal, with Gianluca Mancini leading the defense alongside Evan N'Dicka and Zeki Celik, who is favored over Mats Hummels. The midfield will feature Leandro Paredes and Kone, with Angelino on the left and either Alexis Saelemaekers or Devyne Rensch on the right, with Saelemaekers currently in the lead. In attack, the trio of Baldanzi, Soulé, and potentially Eldor Shomurodov will look to break the team's scoring drought, as they have not scored more than one goal in their last five league matches.
Shomurodov's transformation from a player on the verge of departure to a key figure has been remarkable. After signing a contract extension until 2027, he has emerged as a crucial player for the team, scoring six goals this season. His average of one goal every 172 minutes is slightly better than Artem Dovbyk's, who has one goal every 182 minutes but is currently not at 100%. Dovbyk trained separately ahead of the match, and although he is included in the squad, his starting position remains uncertain.
Ranieri's ongoing criticism of Dovbyk's performance has been evident. He stated, "He should make himself available more often, and the team should find him more when he makes forward runs. What I keep telling him is that scoring is fine, but beyond the goal, he has to perform, fight, press and be visible." Dovbyk's struggles have been a point of contention for the coach, who is looking for more from his players in this vital stage of the season.
The Verona side, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their positive momentum, with a lineup that includes goalkeeper Montipò and a solid defensive trio of Coppola, Valentini, and Dawidowicz. The midfield will see the return of Niasse, alongside Duda, while Bradaric and Tchatchoua provide width. Suslov will play a pivotal role in supporting the forward duo of Sarr and Mosquera, with Sarr recovering from injury just in time for the match.
As the tension builds ahead of kick-off, both teams are aware of the stakes involved. Roma is desperate for points to keep their European dreams alive, while Verona looks to solidify their safety in the league. Ranieri's call for support from the fans resonates as the players prepare to take the field at the Stadio Olimpico, where every moment counts.
In the press conference, Ranieri also touched upon the future of players like Mile Svilar, stating he is not worried about contract negotiations, as the player wishes to stay. The coach emphasized the importance of hard work to rectify defensive lapses, especially after conceding goals from set pieces in recent matches. "We need to work harder. We’ve conceded nine or ten goals from set pieces, and a team that wants to do well cannot allow that," he admitted.
With the match just hours away, the atmosphere is electric, and the players are ready to battle it out on the pitch. Roma's quest for European qualification hinges on their ability to find the net and secure a much-needed victory against a resilient Verona side. As the clock ticks down to kick-off, fans from both sides are filled with anticipation, eager to see how this crucial encounter will unfold.
As the Giallorossi prepare to take on Hellas Verona, the focus will be on whether they can turn their fortunes around and make a statement in their pursuit of a European spot. The match promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams determined to claim the three points.
