Dybala turns down Saudi millions and will start against Empoli: AS Roma chase first win of the season
AS Roma host Empoli on Sunday 25 August at 19:45 (GMT+1) at the Stadio Olimpico in the second round of Serie A fixtures. Following a disappointing goalless draw against Cagliari on the opening matchday, the Giallorossi are desperate for their first three points of the campaign. Paulo Dybala, who turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, is expected to start.
Roma look for answers after false start
Manager Daniele De Rossi could not have wished for a tougher beginning to the season. Last week's opening fixture against Cagliari ended goalless, and Roma had Roberto Piccoli's wastefulness in front of goal to thank for even salvaging a point. New signing Artem Dovbyk, who came close to scoring twice, was also unable to mark his Serie A debut with a goal. The draw left Roma sitting in sixteenth place in the standings. The broader statistics offer De Rossi little additional comfort: across their last eight matches in all competitions, Roma have managed just one win, with four draws and three defeats. That said, the club's strong historical record against Sunday's opponents does provide some reassurance. The Giallorossi have won eight of their last nine Serie A meetings with Empoli. What's more, Roma are the club against whom the Tuscans have played the most away matches in Serie A without ever winning — sixteen in total. The most recent home fixture against Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico ended in a crushing 7-0 victory for Roma, to this day the heaviest defeat in Empoli's Serie A history.
Dybala rejects Saudi millions: 'Thank you, Rome'
The most striking news surrounding Roma this week has been Paulo Dybala's decision to turn down a move to Saudi Arabia. The Argentine forward spurned an offer worth 75 million euros (83 million dollars) over three years, opting instead to remain in the Italian capital. He made his feelings known in typically concise fashion via Instagram: 'Thank you, Rome... See you Sunday.' That Sunday has now arrived. De Rossi is expected to stick with his trusted 4-3-3 formation, with Dybala, Matías Soulé and Artem Dovbyk forming the attacking trio. For Dovbyk, it represents another opportunity to make his mark after a debut that yielded no goals.
Empoli arrive in Rome with ambitions of their own
The visitors from Tuscany also began their season with a share of the spoils. Empoli played out a 0-0 draw of their own last week, against Monza, meaning new head coach Roberto D'Aversa was unable to celebrate his Serie A bow with the club with a victory. Empoli currently sit fourteenth, two places above their hosts. Nevertheless, D'Aversa's side travel to the Italian capital with a degree of confidence. In the final match of last season, the Tuscans beat Roma 2-1. That encouraging memory does come with historical caveats, however: Empoli have never won two consecutive Serie A matches against the Giallorossi. The visitors are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Lorenzo Colombo and Sebastiano Esposito leading the attack.
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Source: Sportmonks
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