The Spaniard is expected to replicate his stellar performance from last year’s Champions League when he was with Atletico. This summer, he was close to joining the black and blue side, and now Juric is banking on him.

Mario Hermoso is set to reclaim the spotlight, this time sporting the yellow and red jersey. Last year, he was one of the key figures in the Champions League eighth-finals, when his team, Atletico Madrid, surpassed Thuram and Lautaro Martínez’s Inter. In the match awaiting Roma on Sunday evening, he will be in the starting line-up, a strategic choice on Juric’s part, determined to exploit the Spanish player’s characteristics and use Angeliño in a more advanced position on the wing. On the other side again, the Frenchman and the Argentine, who aim to reinvigorate the Scudetto ambitions of the Nerazzurri after a start that hasn’t convinced everyone. This summer, Hermoso could have been wearing the Nerazzurri jersey himself. Indeed, there had been talk of his possible transfer to Inter, but the deal did not materialize because the Milan-based club preferred to focus on a younger profile like Palacios. So, having joined on a free transfer after the market closed, the Spaniard has so far struggled to make the desired impact, hindered by a less than perfect physical condition due to a lack of summer preparation. This will be a pivotal showdown where utmost focus will be essential, as they will be up against the champions of Italy, and Roma is in dire need of points. In the past, Hermoso has shown that he is a player who thrives in high-intensity matches and in a battle-like atmosphere, just like the ones that Juric expects from his upcoming commitments (following Inter, Dinamo Kiev and Fiorentina await). His regained form comes at a crucial time for Roma, who is in desperate need of points to climb up the rankings. Juric appears to want to change the setup, positioning Angeliño in his natural spot with the 22 Giallorossi, he will be tasked to ensure balance and stability in one of the most important games of the season.