Embroiled in the battle for a top-four finish, Roma enter their final 10 fixtures of the Serie A season when they visit mid-table Torino on Saturday.
While the Giallorossi also have the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final to prepare for, they cannot afford to slacken the pace in pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Match preview
© Reuters
Belatedly bouncing back from derby defeat just before the international break, Roma saw off Serie A's second-bottom side Sampdoria last time out, to stay inside the top five and within a point of third-placed Milan.
After their visitors saw Jeison Murillo sent off early in the second half, Jose Mourinho's men capitalised fully on their advantage, scoring three times - including Paulo Dybala's late strike from the penalty spot - to secure maximum points at Stadio Olimpico.
Since the start of 2023, only Napoli and Juventus have won more Serie A matches than Roma, who have posted seven victories in the league this year, along with arch-rivals Lazio.
During that time, too, the Giallorossi have kept seven clean sheets - only Lazio and Napoli have done better - and despite disciplinary problems both on the field and by the touchline, they seem ready to fight until the bitter end for a place in Italy's top four.
That would fulfil Mourinho's minimum aim for his second season in charge, but whether he then resists the overtures of other major European clubs during the summer remains to be seen.
More continental success could also be on the cards for the avid trophy-collector and his Roma side this term, as they tackle Feyenoord in a Europa League quarter-final tie over the next fortnight - pitching them together with the team they beat in last year's Conference League final.
First, though, they continue domestic duty away to Torino, where they have won on four of their last six league visits.
© Reuters
In the clubs' last 14 top-flight meetings, Torino have been beaten 10 times and drawn only once - in the most recent encounter, last November.
On that occasion, the Granata dropped two of some 12 points fumbled from leading positions this term, as Roma's Nemanja Matic equalised after Karol Linetty had netted the opener.
Last time out, Toro actually salvaged a point from behind, when in-form Antonio Sanabria hauled them level at Sassuolo, and in 2023 only Victor Osimhen (12) and Lautaro Martinez (seven) have scored more goals in Serie A than the Paraguayan's tally of six.
While such firepower has helped Ivan Juric keep his side in contention for a top-half finish, they are 10 points shy of the top six approaching the run-in and achieving European qualification would require a remarkable run between now and June.
Torino were well beaten in their last home fixture - a 4-0 reverse to champions-elect Napoli - but have generally proved tough to beat in Turin, conceding only eight times in 12 previous games as hosts. As Roma regularly falter outside the capital, the Granata may therefore fancy their chances of victory this weekend.
Team News
© Reuters
Jose Mourinho's life will be made easier this week, by comparison with last Sunday, as several of his players return from suspension: Bryan Cristante, Gianluca Mancini, Roger Ibanez and Marash Kumbulla are all back from bans, and all but the latter should start against Torino.
Therefore, Diego Llorente and Stephan El Shaarawy could return to the bench, while Nemanja Matic may miss out too.
Having become the first Roma player since Mohamed Salah in 2015-16 to record at least 10 goals and five assists in his first season at the club, Paulo Dybala features in the visitors' front line, where Tammy Abraham will tussle with ex-Toro striker Andrea Belotti to start up front.
By contrast with the man he replaced as Torino's first-choice centre-forward - Belotti has yet to score a league goal since moving to Rome - Antonio Sanabria has eight Serie A strikes and two assists to his name this term.
In support of the hosts' frontman, Aleksei Miranchuk is back in contention to start, so Nemanja Radonjic's place in the lineup is particularly vulnerable.
Ola Aina (calf) and David Zima (knee) are both ruled out by injury, while Ivan Ilic (ankle) and Ronaldo Vieira (thigh) remain doubts.
Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Gravillon, Schuurs, Buongiorno; Singo, Ricci, Linetty, Rodriguez; Vlasic, Miranchuk; Sanabria
Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Zalewski, Cristante, Wijnaldum, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Dybala; Belotti
We say: Torino 0-1 Roma
The input of two tactically astute coaches is likely to result in a low-scoring game, with perhaps a single goal deciding the outcome. While the distraction of a European quarter-final looms large, Roma are back to full strength and boast more individual ability up front, so three more points could be coming their way.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
