Massara sees important Roma ‘test’ of ambition against AC Milan

Roma director of sport Ricky Massara faces his old club AC Milan this evening for top spot, noting it will be ‘an opportunity to test ourselves and see where we are.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.

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

This is a potential turning point in the Scudetto race, because after Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Como yesterday, a victory here would make the Giallorossi the sole Serie A leaders.

On the other hand, a defeat would allow Milan to catch Roma in joint second place.

“It is a tough test, San Siro is a very difficult place to play, so we need a top level performance to bring home a result. This is an opportunity to test ourselves and see where we are,” Massara told DAZN Italia.

Angelino and Evan Ferguson have not made the trip, but Artem Dovbyk is benched in favour of Paulo Dybala as a False 9 with Matias Soulé.

Bryan Cristante is also likely to again be pushed into a trequartista role, similar to how Mario Pasalic played for Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta.

“These are tactical variations the coach is working on and many of them depend on the characteristics of the opponents too. It is true we haven’t been particularly prolific this season, but there have been a lot of chances created, and Dovbyk was on target in the last round too, so we know where we have to improve.”

Roma have Financial Fair Play issues to deal with, so is Massara planning to bring in more forwards during the January transfer window, or keep this squad to the end of the season?

“There is a selection of strikers who provide variety, while Dybala and Bailey at full fitness are important reinforcements. We will concentrate for now on the players that are at our disposal, but if there are opportunities in January, we will be ready to take them.”

Massara worked at Milan with Paolo Maldini from 2019 to 2023 before resigning in protest at the dismissal of his colleague, but during that spell they did manage to win the Scudetto as underdogs.

“It is wonderful to be back at San Siro and see a club that I was very fond of. There aren’t many players left from the squad that I worked with, but some do remain.”

There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off this evening for Giovanni Galeone, a mentor to both Max Allegri and Gian Piero Gasperini, who died today at the age of 84.

“I have fond memories of Mister Galeone, who knew how to get the best out of his players, and inspire so many of them to become coaches in future. It is a loss for football, and we send our condolences to his family,” noted Massara.