Stadio Olimpico forms the backdrop for a handsomely-looking UEFA Europa League curtain-raising clash between Roma and Athletic Bilbao. All eyes are on new Giallorossi boss Ivan Juric following his triumphant start in the capital.
Juric took charge of Roma last week after the club’s sudden decision to sack Daniele De Rossi. The former midfielder’s exit caused unrest among the club supporters, culminating with Lina Souloukou stepping down from her role as CEO under heavy pressure from the fans.
However, De Rossi’s farewell was seemingly the spark Roma needed to get back on track after a four-game winless Serie A start (D3, L1). Juric enjoyed a phenomenal touchline debut last Sunday, inspiring the former Europa Conference League winners to a 3-0 home win against Udinese.
Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala, and Tommaso Baldanzi were on the scoresheet to hand Juric a dream first game in charge of Roma. There’s no time for celebration as they must quickly turn to their continental duties, with high-flying Athletic Bilbao rolling into town.
Ernesto Valverde’s men put Celta Vigo to the sword at the weekend, strolling to a 3-1 home victory to extend their winning streak in La Liga to three matches. Only Barcelona and Real Madrid have picked up more points than Bilbao’s 13 after the opening seven rounds in Spain’s top flight.
That’s already a clear warning to Roma. The Spaniards will likely be heavily motivated to get their European journey off to a winning start as they return to the main stage of a UEFA competition for the first time since their 2017/18 Europa League appearance.
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Roma
Roma came agonizingly close to winning this competition in 2022/23, only for Europa League specialists Sevilla to crush their dream in the title-deciding fixture. The Giallorossi slipped at the penultimate hurdle last term, with Bayer Leverkusen besting them in the semi-finals.
Reaching the knockout stages won’t be easy with the new league phase in force. However, Roma won’t settle for anything else after qualifying for the European semi-finals or better in the last three seasons. They won seven of their nine home outings in the group stages in that sequence (D1, L1).
But bringing the tail-end of the 2023/24 campaign into the equation, the Olimpico has recently been a feeble fortress. Roma have only won two of their last six home games in all competitions (D1, L3), netting one goal or fewer on five occasions. Despite that unenviable run, they may have a psychological advantage here.
Athletico Bilbao
While this is Bilbao’s first-ever meeting with Roma, Valverde is familiar with the Italian giants, having faced them during his stint as Barcelona’s manager in the infamous 2017/18 Champions League quarter-final. That didn’t end well for him as the Giallorossi claimed an iconic 3-0 second-leg win to progress as aggregate winners.
Revenge could be a powerful motive, but it could also be a double-edged sword. Valverde can only hope the weight of past encounters doesn’t burden Los Leones as they bid to defy their humiliating all-time record in these parts, having picked up just one win on their nine previous visits to Italy (D3, L5).
Against this ominous backdrop, Bilbao have emerged victorious from four of their last six road trips in all competitions (L2), including back-to-back wins on their travels in September. More confidence stems from quick-fire starts that have seen Bilbao score before halftime in five of their last seven games.
Team News
Milan loanee Alexis Saelemaekers and marquee midfield signing Enzo Le Fee are not in contention for the matchday squad. Roma will likely have to do it without Lorenzo Pellegrini after their captain suffered an injury against Udinese last weekend. Pellegrini’s absence could open the door for Matias Soule’s return to the starting XI.
On the other hand, Bilbao will take this trip without several first-team stars, including star goalkeeper Unai Simon and highly-rated playmaker Oihan Sancet. Yuri Berchiche and Yeray Alvarez are also unavailable. Valverde’s principal concern is an ankle injury his talismanic winger Nico Williams picked up against Leganes.
Roma vs Athletic Bilbao Potential Line-ups
Roma (3-4-2-1): Mathew Ryan; Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso, Evan Ndicka; Zeki Celik, Manu Kone, Bryan Cristante, Stephan El Shaarawy; Matias Soule, Tommaso Baldanzi; Artem Dovbyk.
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Adama Boiro; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez, Alex Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta.
Roma vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
Despite winning on his debut, Juric still has a long way to go to win over the Roma faithful. A victory against Bilbao would be welcome, yet the Croatian manager’s lack of experience in European matches could derail the Italians’ chances here.
Bilbao would likely settle for a point, and we expect them to earn it.
Prediction: Draw
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