Game used for reference: AS Roma 2-0 Lazio, 2024-2025 Serie A, Round 19
AS Roma finished 5th in Serie A last season and qualified for the Europa League, and have therefore strengthened their squad with players like Evan Ferguson and Daniele Ghilardi. Under Claudio Ranieri, who is now an advisor for the club and not the manager, Roma lined up with a back three in defense and two wingbacks. Up front, they like to play with two strikers, one who can hold up the ball and the other who can make runs into space.
The result? Roma are incredibly dangerous in transition and love to exploit open space between lines. They're quick, and one slip-up could mean catastrophe. If Everton want to win against this side, they'll have to be compact in defense and leave no room for Roma's striker and wingbacks to run into.
Defensively, having Jake O'Brien at right back would definitely help quell Roma's wide threats, but the question remains if the Toffees have the midfield strength required to match up against this Europa League side.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who just joined the Toffees, might not feature in this friendly, but if he does, it would be interesting to see where David Moyes puts him. On the right wing, we could see either Charly Alcaraz or Dwight McNeil continue to get minutes there with the club still struggling to find their wide attacking threat.
This game will be tight, but Roma have more weapons at their disposal and are definitely the favorites. If Everton can silence Roma's counterattack and take advantage of the space that the opposition wingbacks leave behind, we could see a few goals from either Beto or Thierno Barry.