Mohamed Salah is ready for AS Roma debut
Hellas Verona and Roma will both hope to kick off the the new Serie A season in style with a win at Stadio Marcoantonio Bentegodi on Saturday evening.
While Verona will stick primarily with the same squad from last season, Rudi Garcia could name at least four summer signings in the starting XI, including an all new front three. Iago Falque, Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah are all in line to start for their debuts for the Giallorossi as they hope to find the goal-scoring touch that evaded the club last season all too often.
pre-season friendly games, with Salah scoring two goals in as many games and creating two others in victories over Spanish sides Valencia and Sevilla.
He opened the scoring in a 3-1 win over Valencia with a simple tap-in into an empty net after some good work from Ivorian forward Gervinho and was also on target in an exciting 6-4 victory over Sevilla, finding the net from a tight angle with a powerful shot with his weak right foot after holding off a challenger.
His promising displays have prompted Roma’s passionate fans to chant his name in the stands while Fiorentina’s supporters have cursed him on social media after a contractual dispute marred his last week in Florence.
Salah forged a fine partnership with the likes of Gervinho, Francesco Totti, Miralem Pjanic and new recruit Eden Dzeko, indicating a quick blend into a team renowned for their quick passing game under French coach Rudi Garcia.
“I spoke to him (Rudi Garcia) when I was in London. He told me how much he wanted to have me in his team. I’ll get on very well with him,” Salah said after completing his loan move to Roma, who have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
“My family and I had a great six months in Florence but that period is over now. I had the right to choose my future and that’s why I’m here in Rome.”
Salah’s marauding runs that exploit any defensive gaps as well as a proven ability in efficient one-twos should come in handy for Roma, whose last Serie A triumph was in 2001.
“Juventus are a very strong side but I think my new team-mates and I can surpass expectations,” he added.
Expected Starting XIs
Verona: Rafael; Pisano, Marquez, Moras, Souprayen; Sala, Greco, Hallfredsson, Jankovic, Toni, Gomez
Roma: Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Castan, Torosidis; Pjanic, De Rossi, Nainggolan, Mohamed Salah, Dzeko, Falque
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