A bit of fun before the serious stuff starts at the weekend. After a defeat to Real Mallorca, we get a second stab at European qualification with a trip to Burton to face Roma. I Giallorossi are winless in their 3 friendlies so far this summer, having travelled to Slovakia to face Kosice (1-1), back to Rome for a home defeat to Toulouse (0-1) and then to Central Italy, to face Olympiakos on neutral ground (1-1). Arguably, they're set to face their toughest test yet in Darrell Clarke's chargers, who have netted 10 times across 4 friendlies. There is no head to head history as both sides have always managed to avoid each other in European competition to date. Tammy Abraham often leads the line for Daniel De'Rossi's side. The 26 year old former Chelsea striker netted the only goal in his last meeting with the Reds, as Chelsea snuck past Valerien Ismael's Tykes in the FA Cup in 2021, a game notable for the debut of Daryl Dike in a red shirt. New signing Artem Dovbyk may feature after his summer move from Girona; the Ukrainian inspired the Blanquivermells to briefly mount a La Liga title challenge last season with his 24 goals in 36 league games, which forced La Lupa to pay €38m for him this summer. Dovbyk aside, Roma struggle for goals meaning I can see the reds edging this one. The first showing of Georgie Gent and his quick footwork may be enough to bamboozle the yellow and reds, and therefore I see Darrell Clarke's side running out 1-0 winners, courtesy of a Max Watters header. You reds.
Don’t care what the score will be. But please please just give them a fkn hiding. Despicable club who deserve nothing.
Interesting test, Chris. But if you think the football season is starting on time, that’s sadly not going to happen..?
4-1 to the reds. Josh Earl Hatrick, late Sam Cosgrove header with Francesco Totti notching AS Roma’s solitary reply
2-1 to Roma but with a positive performance from a young reds team made up I suspect of fringe players. We are 6/1 at Billy Hills for this one atm.
After seeing the team.. seems a pretty pointless friendly.. could beat the Leeds score from last season this