AS Roma open Serie A season with away fixture at Cagliari
AS Roma kick off the new Serie A season on Sunday 18 August with an away match at Cagliari Calcio at the Sardegna Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45. For Roma head coach Daniele De Rossi, it marks the beginning of his first full season in charge of the Giallorossi. Cagliari, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, are embarking on a new chapter under incoming manager Davide Nicola.
Cagliari determined to be more than relegation fodder
The 2023-2024 Serie A season ended with Cagliari Calcio finishing sixteenth, just one point above the drop zone. Club legend Claudio Ranieri, who steered the Sardinians through that nerve-shredding survival battle, subsequently announced his definitive retirement from management. The baton has been passed to Davide Nicola, who has been tasked with establishing Cagliari on firmer footing in Serie A. In the transfer market, business was done with Atalanta: right winger Nadir Zortea arrived for five million euros, while defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana made the journey in the opposite direction for eight million euros. Pre-season produced mixed results — one win, one draw and one defeat across three matches — but in the Coppa Italia, Cagliari showed real resilience with a convincing 3-1 victory over Carrarese. A similar statement against Roma would give Nicola a flying start. Centre-back Yerry Mina will be absent through suspension. Nicola is expected to set his side up in a 3-4-1-2 system, with Gianluca Lapadula and Roberto Piccoli leading the attack.
Roma targeting a top-four breakthrough under De Rossi
Daniele De Rossi begins Sunday's match as AS Roma head coach for the first time in a full campaign, having been appointed mid-season last year following the departure of José Mourinho. The 41-year-old Roman finished that season in sixth place with 63 points — exactly the same tally as in each of the two preceding seasons. Breaking that pattern and securing a Champions League berth are the stated ambitions for the season ahead. To make that step, the club has invested significantly in fresh talent. Last season's top scorer in La Liga, Artem Dovbyk, was signed from Girona FC for 31 million euros. Roma further strengthened with Matías Soulé, who joined from Juventus for 26 million euros, and Enzo Le Fée, brought in from Stade Rennais for 23 million euros. On the outgoings side, Houssem Aouar departed to Al-Ittihad for 12 million euros and Andrea Belotti moved to newly promoted Como for 5 million euros. Romelu Lukaku is also no longer available, with his loan spell having expired and the Belgian returning to Chelsea. For the opening fixture, De Rossi will be without Leandro Paredes, who is serving a suspension. The expected starting line-up is a 4-3-3, with Stephan El Shaarawy flanked by new arrivals Matías Soulé and Artem Dovbyk in the attacking line.
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Source: Sportmonks
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