Evan Ferguson favored to start over Dovbyk vs Bologna | OneFootball

For their season opener against Bologna, Roma will face a sold-out crowd at the Olimpico.

Gasperini is working on the lineup, and some decisions now appear to be finalized, according to today’s Corriere dello Sport.

In attack, Ferguson appears to have overtaken Dovbyk. The Irishman impressed in training with his dynamism and physicality and is favored to start as a central striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

The Ukrainian, at the center of transfer rumors, is expected to start on the bench.

Behind him, Soulé is the only reliable player after a brilliant preseason. El Aynaoui could play alongside him, moving up to the attacking midfield to take advantage of his runs and ability to read the game.

Paulo Dybala, however, remains an unknown quantity: having recently returned from injury, he doesn’t appear to have the legs to play 90 minutes. The most likely scenario is his deployment during the match as a decisive weapon to increase the quality of the play, although a starting spot isn’t entirely ruled out.

In midfield, the pairing of Koné and Cristante will ensure balance and solidity. In defense, with Svilar in goal, Gasperini will be able to count on Mancini, N’Dicka, and Ghilardi.