HJK – ROMA | Thursday 21:00
Roma’s qualification to the knockout phase of the Europa League was supposed to be a formality and yet, with two days to go, it is at serious risk. The Giallorossi have had a disappointing European campaign so far and José Mourinho and his men have just two games left to get themselves back on track and qualify as runners-up behind unreachable Betis. In the worst-case scenario, by finishing third, Roma would find themselves in the Conference League and would – despite themselves – have the opportunity, as the Portuguese coach mentioned with some sarcasm, to defend the title they won last year. For the Capitolini, the defeat at Ludogorets, who are currently three points ahead of Pellegrini’s Andalusians, who only need a point to be sure of top spot, is proving to be detrimental.
Roma are therefore obliged to defeat the Bolt Arena in Helsinki, home of bottom-of-the-table Hjk, who have already been beaten 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, and then play for everything in a week’s time in the capital against the hostile Bulgarian team coached by Ante Simundza. In the hope, of course, that Ludogorets do not get the better of the Spaniards. In short, every scenario is still possible, but Roma cannot allow themselves any more breaks. The objective of Mourinho and his men is also to turn the page immediately after the home defeat in the league against Napoli, who came through in the final thanks to a Euro goal from Osimhen. A match in which Abraham and his team-mates showed the usual problems in the non-possession phase. The Lusitanian coach will be without the injured Dybala and the disqualified Zaniolo: Belotti is likely to be present in attack, while Camara should be back in the middle: Matic is also out.
Toni Koskela, coach of Hjk Helsinki
The Prediction
An away match not exactly “comfortable” for Roma, mainly for geographical and, above all, meteorological reasons, but the Giallorossi should pass without problems in Helsinki against a team that has so far shown all its limitations at certain levels. And which, by the way, has barely been able to score a goal in four games. There is a good chance the Giallorossi will keep their goal unbeaten, as they did in the first leg.
The likely line-up for HJK v Roma
- HJK (3-4-3): Hazard; Raitala, Hoskonen, Peltola; Soiri, Boujellab, Tanaka, Browne; Olusanya, Radulovic, Riski.
- ROMA (3-4-1-2): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibañez; Zalewski, Cristante, Camara, Spinazzola; Pellegrini; Belotti, Abraham.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-2
