Thanks to last Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Fiorentina and a helping hand from the Juventus-Bologna draw, Roma ended the weekend tied with the Old Lady for fourth place on the league table.
While that was an extremely exciting development, don’t start popping those celebratory bottles of champagne just yet.
With Roma, Juventus, Bologna, and Lazio separated by one point and each chasing Italy’s final Champions League place, Serie A fans are in store for a dramatic finish to the season.
Given the practically non-existent margin for error, Claudio Ranieri will need all hands on deck as the Giallorossi seek to return to Europe’s biggest stage for the first time in nearly seven years.
And that includes a certain embattled captain. Love him or hate him, you can’t keep Lorenzo Pellegrini out of the starting lineup.
Despite facing sharp criticism from sections of the fanbase, Pellegrini’s place on the pitch has seldom been in question, with the 28-year-old Roman starting six of the club’s last eight matches.
However, with Ranieri’s attack struggling over the past several weeks, Pellegrini’s place in the starting lineup has come under increased scrutiny.
And with outlets in Italy suggesting that Niccolo Pisilli may replace Pellegrini against Atalanta on Monday, the anti-Pellegrini crowd was poised to get their wish.But, as is often the case with Roma, fate has intervened. After withdrawing from today’s training session due to a muscle injury, Pellegrini may miss Monday’s crucial match against Gian Piero Gasperini’s club, meaning Pisilli may start by default.
With three matches remaining and millions of dollars at stake, if Pisilli shines and Roma scores an upset on the road, it may be difficult for Pellegrini to restake his claim as the club’s starting central midfielder.
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