Massara: ‘Roma test ourselves against reigning Champions of Italy’

Roma director Ricky Massara notes they will use tonight’s Scudetto battle against Napoli to ‘test where we are right now against the reigning Champions of Italy.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is a real Scudetto showdown, as there are only two points separating them at the top of the table, with AC Milan up there having already beaten Lazio last night.

“The season has just started, there are many teams doing well and we are satisfied with our results so far,” Massara told DAZN Italia.

“We’ll use this match to test where we are right now against an excellent team, who are the reigning Champions of Italy.”

Gian Piero Gasperini will not be on the touchline this evening, as he sits out a ban for dissent, but has had an immediate impact.

Considering their financial limitations due to FFP parameters, do Roma need any January signings, or could they be competitive as they are?

“The work of the coach is undoubtedly remarkable. He’s done some great things, but we should also give credit to a squad that had already done well in the second half of last season. If there are opportunities to improve an already very good team in January, then we will evaluate them.”

Gasperini had asked for an attacking player on the left, but since Lorenzo Pellegrini has been taking that role successfully, does this change their January transfer strategy?

“Lorenzo is doing very well and we had no doubts about that,” replied Massara.

“The coach is using him in this position with different characteristics and he is giving the team a big hand.”

Paulo Dybala returned to the starting XI on Thursday in a 2-1 Europa League victory over Midtjylland, having been out for several weeks with a muscular problem, but he is benched tonight in favour of Evan Ferguson.

The only remaining absentees are Artem Dovbyk and Angelino, as Manu Koné has shaken off a knock.

Meanwhile, Napoli are in an injury crisis that prompted them to reshuffle their tactics to a 3-4-3 formation, so does that make them even more fearsome opponents?

“Napoli are a strong squad, they have a great coach, are the reigning Champions of Italy, so it doesn’t matter which system they use, they are always fearsome,” concluded Massara.