If, as in many South American countries, there were an opening championship and a “closing” championship, today Roma would be in command of the second. Since the Serie A season after the World Cup, in fact, the Giallorossi have done better, with 10 points in 4 games, 1 more than Napoli, leaders with 12 points ahead of Milan. Taking into account only what happened in 2023, then, that of Sunday night at Maradona, would be a clash of the Scudetto, certainly will face 2 of the most fit teams, along with Atalanta, Empoli and Lazio of the moment.

Compared to Napoli, the Giallorossi did even better, overcoming a round of the Coppa Italia (against Genoa) and winning the quarter-final qualification where they will face Cremonese, who surprisingly eliminated the team coached by Spalletti. Mourinho, who yesterday was at the Tre Fontane to attend the Spring race together with the “children” Bove, Volpato, Tahirovic, Boer and Zalewski, in 2023 was almost a clear path: 3 wins and 1 draw (against Milan) in the league and a victory in the Italian Cup, with 8 goals scored and 2 conceded with 4 clean sheets.

Sunday evening for Roma there will be the final exam against a team that is dominating the Serie A: on the first leg on 23 October at the Olimpico, Napoli won 1-0 thanks to a great goal from Osimhen. This time the Giallorossi are looking for the shot that would give great enthusiasm and a big boost in the Champions League race. Special One will have to give up Celik, stopped for a turn by the sports judge: in his place will play Zalewski, with a ballot on the opposite strip between El Shaarawy and Spinazzola. The Pharaoh, a sign against Spezia, is however candidate to play next to Dybala in case Pellegrini could not recover.

Yesterday the captain has still played separate work and today he should return to the group: with him on the field, El Shaarawy could make the fifth midfield, otherwise it will be up to Spinazzola who does not start from the first leg against the Neapolitan team.