For The First Time, AS Roma Can Play Full Team Against Inter Milan

AS Roma entered the full team against Inter Milan. (X@OfficialASRoma)

JAKARTA - AS Roma, for the first time, can play a full team when they host Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A match at the Stadio Olimpico, Sunday, February 11, 2024 in the morning WIB. Only striker Tammy Abraham is still absent due to the recovery process.

Coach Daniele De Rossi seems to have returned to Rome in the right time. While still under Jose Mourinho's handling, the Roma squad was never complete because there were always players who were absent due to injury.

Whether it's a serious injury that takes a long time to recover or a minor injury that only takes a few days or weeks to recover. Mourinho was forced to change the composition of the players because he anticipated those who were absent.

When Mourinho was dismissed and replaced by De Rossi, the players had returned one by one. Including defender Chris Smalling who is the pillar of the Giallorossi defense.

The former Manchester United defender has left the field since September 2023. He played three times in the competition before being sidelined due to a tendon injury.

Now, Smalling has recovered and has the opportunity to appear against Inter. Likewise, Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches who missed several matches in the first round of the competition.

He was already sitting on the bench when Roma won 4-0 over Cagliari. However, Sanches was not played by De Rossi.

Of all the players who can perform, only Abraham is still waiting for recovery. The former Chelsea forward suffered a severe ligament injury in last season's last game.

As a result, he had to miss this season. Abraham is predicted to be able to return to play in March 2024 or when the competition has entered the last few weeks.

Roma does have good capital to serve Inter. In addition to the complete squad, Romelu Lukaku et al are increasingly confident in a landslide victory over Cagliari.

"Sooner or later, you will face this match. And, now is the time for us to appear with strong confidence," said De Rossi.

"Everyone said Inter was the best team in the league. I agree. But not all said they were the best in playing football. Obviously, it was coach Simone Inzaghi who made Inter able to play well," he said.

Currently, Roma is in fifth place with 38 points. If they win, Roma will shift Atalanta who is only one point ahead. Atalanta, who is in fourth position or in the Champions League zone, will be treated by Genoa.