As the sun rises over the Eternal City this Easter Saturday, Roma finds itself at a critical juncture in its Serie A campaign. On April 19, 2025, at 20:45 CET, the Giallorossi will welcome Hellas Verona to the Stadio Olimpico, seeking a much-needed victory to reset their charge up the table and continue their quest for Champions League football.
This match may not carry the apocalyptic weight of a European knockout tie or last week’s Derby della Capitale, but for a Roma side that has stumbled through managerial upheaval this season and clung to its continental ambitions by a thread, it offers something rarer than gold these days: a breather. Roma comes into this clash slightly disappointed from last weekend’s 1-1 derby draw, where Matías Soulé’s equalizer helped preserve coach Claudio Ranieri’s unbeaten record against Lazio—a record that now spans generations of chaos in Trigoria.
Currently sitting in 7th place with 54 points, Roma is five points behind Juventus, who occupy the fourth spot. The team has recorded 15 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses, scoring 47 goals while conceding 32. Artem Dovbyk stands as Roma's top scorer with 11 goals this season. Conversely, Verona, in 14th place with 32 points, has struggled significantly, with a record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 18 losses, having scored only 30 goals while conceding a staggering 59. Casper Tengstedt is their top scorer with just 6 goals.
In their previous encounter this season, Verona stunned Roma with a 3-2 victory, a match that marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for the Giallorossi. Coach Ranieri is acutely aware of the threat Verona poses, especially on the counterattack. "Verona is going to be an incredibly difficult game because they've really sorted themselves out well. They close down all the space then break forward at incredible speed," he noted, emphasizing the need for his players to remain vigilant.
On the injury front, Artem Dovbyk and Stephan El Shaarawy trained separately leading up to the match, but Ranieri confirmed that both are fit to play. "I’ll make up my mind, as I always do, between tonight and tomorrow morning," he stated. Meanwhile, Eldor Shomurodov is expected to start in place of Dovbyk, who is recovering from a minor injury, marking a significant opportunity for the Uzbek forward to solidify his role within the team.
Shomurodov, who recently signed a contract extension keeping him at Roma until 2027, has shown promise as a key player in the forward rotation. As he steps into the starting eleven, he has the chance to prove himself further and potentially adapt to a two-striker system that could better utilize his strengths. "He’s not a 20-goal striker, at least not for a club like Roma. However, Shomurodov can be a connective piece—smart, fast, selfless—and in the right setup, he might just be the perfect partner in crime to Artem Dovbyk," remarked a source familiar with the team's dynamics.
Looking at the probable lineup, Ranieri is likely to confirm the eleven that faced Lazio, with minor adjustments. The expected formation is a 3-4-2-1: Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Mats Hummels, and Kevin N'Dicka in defense; Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Paredes, Kone, and Angelino in midfield; with Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini supporting Shomurodov in the attack. For Verona, coach Marco Zanetti will be without Tengstedt due to injury but will have Sarr and Suslov available for selection.
The match will be officiated by referee Luca Pairetto, with Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni serving as the VAR referee. This season, Pairetto has officiated 11 matches, awarding 4 penalties and issuing 48 yellow cards and 7 red cards.
Fans can catch the action live on DAZN, starting at 20:45, with coverage available on multiple platforms. This match is crucial for Roma, not only to maintain their pursuit of a Champions League spot but also to regain momentum after a series of mixed results. "We want the three points but it's going to be tough," Ranieri admitted, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
As the Giallorossi prepare to face off against Verona, the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico is expected to be electric, with over 61,000 fans anticipated to cheer on their team. The supporters deserve the very best, as Ranieri stated, and they will be hoping for a performance that reflects the passion and determination that Roma fans are known for.
In conclusion, with the stakes high and the pressure mounting, Roma must rise to the occasion against a determined Verona side. This match represents not just another fixture in the Serie A calendar, but a critical opportunity for the Giallorossi to reaffirm their ambitions and continue their fight for a coveted Champions League spot. The time for action is now, and the fans will be watching closely as their team takes the field.
