Roma vs Monza Serie A Match Preview and Predictions

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Roma is riding a wave of positive momentum into their match against Monza, having remained unbeaten in their last four matches and tied for the best form in the league since Claudio Ranieri replaced Ivan Jurić. The Giallorossi's renewed vigor and tactical discipline have been key to their rebirth, as exemplified by their 3-2 midweek victory over Porto in the Europa League, which showcased their attacking prowess and solidified defensive resilience. This positions Roma favorably in both Serie A and the Europa League, presenting an opportunity to make noise domestically and abroad.

In contrast, Monza's form has been dismal, with the Biancorossi anchored to the bottom of the Serie A standings and relegation to Serie B looking practically guaranteed for the 2025/2026 season. A string of disappointing performances, including a heavy 5-1 defeat to Lazio, has exacerbated their struggles, and the club's managerial changes have done little to stabilize the team's form. With only two wins this season and a shocking goal difference of -18, Monza faces an uphill battle to salvage their campaign. Roma has dominated this fixture in recent years, being undefeated in their last five encounters against Monza, and hosting them at the Olimpico, where they have won eight of their last nine matches.

The match against Monza serves as the first test in a challenging period for Roma, with a congested fixture list that includes a match against Como on March 2nd and Athletic Club on March 6th in the Europa League Round of 16. Claudio Ranieri faces the challenge of navigating and maintaining domestic momentum while advancing on the European front, and his strategic decisions regarding squad rotation will be pivotal. The choices made in this fixture will set the tone for the Giallorossi's fortunes on both domestic and European stages for the rest of the season. With Artem Dovbyk sidelined due to a muscle injury, Eldor Shomurodov is likely to lead the line against Monza, presenting an opportunity for him to remind everyone why Roma invested in him.

Roma's vulnerability to counter-attacks has been a glaring issue this season, deeply undermining a side with strong individual defenders and one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe. Claudio Ranieri has been vocal about these lapses and has implemented tactical adjustments to help fix this issue, such as reinforcing midfield coverage and ensuring full-backs are more disciplined in their forward runs. The introduction of players like Anass Salah-Eddine and Devyne Rensch has helped shore up the Giallorossi flanks. However, fixing these defensive issues will take longer than a month, particularly with a congested fixture schedule. Roma needs to build up the mentality required for a Europa League title run, starting with clean sheets against sides like Monza.

The predicted lineup for Roma includes Svilar in goal, with Victor Nelsson making his debut and Hummels returning to the starting lineup after a month out. In midfield, Paredes could start from the bench, with Cristante flanked by Koné and Gourna-Douath. On the wings, Saelemaekers will return after his suspension in Europe, while Angelino will compete for a spot with Salah-Eddine. In attack, an alternation between Dybala and Soulé is expected, with Shomurodov starting as center forward. The match kicks off at 20:45 CET/2:45 EST at the Stadio Olimpico, with Fabio Maresca as the referee. Some of the key statistics to consider include the fact that Roma has won eight of their last nine matches at the Olimpico, and Monza has a goal difference of -18. The injury to Artem Dovbyk is a significant blow, but Eldor Shomurodov has a chance to prove himself. The Europa League campaign is a significant factor in Roma's season, and they need to balance their domestic and European ambitions.