Maicon returns to Roma squad for decisive Derby della Capitale against Lazio

Defender Maicon has returned to the Roma squad for Monday’s vital Derby della Capitale against Lazio. The Brazil international – capped 76 times – was expected to be out for the season due to persistent knee problems, but has been named by Head Coach Rudi Garcia in his 26 man group.  Whether Maicon will take […]
by
sambafoot_admin
2015-05-25 12:41:00

Defender Maicon has returned to the Roma squad for Monday’s vital Derby della Capitale against Lazio.

The Brazil international – capped 76 times – was expected to be out for the season due to persistent knee problems, but has been named by Head Coach Rudi Garcia in his 26 man group. 

Whether Maicon will take to the field is unclear. He last featured for Roma in a Coppa Italia defeat to Fiorentina in March, while his most recent outing in Serie A was the 1-1 draw with Empoli in January.

Maicon’s injury problems were significantly severe for it to be considered possible that he may move on at the end of the season, despite being contracted until June 2016. Recent reports suggested that Roma may offer him a mutual termination, which would leave him free to move on to Major League Soccer if his knee issue subsided.

His return to the squad to face Lazio should be a welcome boost for Roma, given his importance, particularly last season.

This term, he has featured just 19 times in all competitions, scoring twice, with his record overall for Roma standing at four goals in 50 appearances.

The Giallorossi need a win to guarantee them second spot in Serie A and a direct passage into next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage, while a victory for Lazio would secure them a top three finish and also a place in Europe’s premier competition.

Roma squad

Goalkeepers: Morgan De Sanctis, Bogdan Lobonț, Łukasz Skorupski

Defenders: Davide Astori, Federico Balzaretti, José Holebas, Ashley Cole, Maicon, Kostas Manolas, Nicolás Spolli, Vasilis Torosidis, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa 

Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi, Seydou Keita, Radja Nainggolan, Leandro Paredes, Miralem Pjanić, Salih Uçan

Forwards: Seydou Doumbia, Víctor Ibarbo, Juan Manuel Iturbe, Adem Ljajić, Antonio Sanabria