Juric explains surprise Roma choices against Udinese | OneFootball

New Roma coach Ivan Juric explains his surprising picks for the debut against Udinese, including why he left Manu Koné, Mario Hermoso and Mats Hummels on the bench.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

There is confusion and chaos around the club, as on Wednesday morning it was announced that Daniele De Rossi had been fired, he was replaced by Juric and then today CEO Lina Souloukou handed in her resignation.

The fans are staging a protest, boycotting the Stadio Olimpico stands for the opening 30 minutes of this match.

New Roma shape under Juric

Juric has always used a three-man defence and made that shift immediately here, but moved Bryan Cristante to the midfield rather than big summer investment Koné.

“We want to change the way we play in certain things, some players give a better response than others right now. Kone has a lot of talent, but there’s a lot of work to be done,” Juric told Sky Sport Italia.

Angelino is used in the back three, so Hummels and Hermoso are again left on the bench. Is this because their fitness levels are not up to scratch after a summer as free agents without training?

“They are a little behind in fitness, but not that much. We have five games over the next two weeks, they will have time to show what they can do.”

Stephan El Shaarawy is given the role of playing down the entire left wing, as Alexis Saelemaekers is out for two months with an ankle injury.

“At this moment, we don’t have many options down that flank. He did that role well over the years, so he can do it here too,” concluded Juric.