With their win against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16, Roma have extended their winning streak: the win against the Basques was their fifth in a row between league and cup. As against Como last Sunday, the Giallorossi came out on top again with a comeback win (2-1) and once again benefitting from their opponents being outnumbered: if against Como it was a goal by Dovbyk that gave Claudio Ranieri’s team the three points, on Thursday at the Olimpico it was the substitute striker Shomurodov who decided the match, scoring in injury time and making the stadium explode with joy.
Regardless of how things turn out next week in Bilbao, there’s no denying the exponential growth of a Roma team that hasn’t lost in Serie A since mid-December and that, thanks to this string of positive results, is back in the running for a place in Europe, putting back on its feet a season that, after two changes of coach and a disastrous first part, didn’t seem to have much to offer.
Despite the fact that there is the cup to think about, Ranieri is now called upon to take advantage of a calendar that will undoubtedly be favorable in the coming days: the match against Empoli represents another opportunity to recover further positions in the standings (Fiorentina, in seventh place, is the target, as the Giallorossi are 2 points behind them). In the last round, the Tuscans were unable to follow up their historic qualification for the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, won at Juventus’ home ground: at Marassi, against Genoa, Roberto D’Aversa’s team allowed themselves to be caught up with 10 minutes to go (1-1) and had to settle for a draw. One point that didn’t allow Empoli to leave the third to last place but that at least interrupted the long negative streak of the Azzurri (4 defeats in a row).
Empoli-Roma: the latest news on the lineups
The infirmary is always crowded at Empoli. Against Roma too, D’Aversa will have to do without several players, from Fazzini to Viti, as well as Maleh, Ismajli, Anjorin, Zurkowski, Ebuehi, Haas and Pellegri. Forced choices, therefore, for the Azzurri coach. Marianucci is confirmed in defense, in attack there’s Colombo, supported by the Esposito-Cacace duo.
On the other hand, Ranieri will make some changes in view of the San Mamés challenge, but above all to give some rest to those who spent a lot on Thursday. In defense, Rensch replaces Mancini, who is suspended, in front Shomurodov is ahead of Dovbyk. Saelemaekers and Koné are back in the starting lineup, while the injured Celik could be out.
Odds comparison
Roma’s win is quoted at 1.98 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.95 on Snai. The “Goal” sign is quoted at 1.72 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.77 on Snai.
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The prediction
It’s difficult to go against Roma at the moment, but the Europa League match against Athletic Bilbao will certainly have taken a lot of energy away from the Giallorossi, who will have to be careful of a reshuffled Empoli side that is hungry for points that will help them stay up. After all, last August the Tuscans already played a trick on the Capitoline team, winning 2-1 at the Olimpico and creating the conditions for De Rossi’s dismissal. It would not be a surprise if this time too the Azzurri managed to score at least one goal against Ranieri’s team.
The probable line-ups for Empoli-Roma
EMPOLI (3-4-2-1): Silvestri; De Sciglio, Goglichidze, Marianucci; Gyasi, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella; Esposito, Cacace; Colombo.
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Rensch, Hummels, N’Dicka; Saelemaekers, Koné, Paredes, Angeliño; Dybala, Pellegrini; Shomurodov.