Real Sociedad v Roma is a Europa League round of 16 return match to be played on Thursday at 21:00: live TV, formations, predictions.
A ruthless yet cynical Roma brought themselves within a step of qualifying for the Europa League quarter-finals last Thursday by securing one of the best possible results against fearsome Real Sociedad. In San Sebastian they will restart from the reassuring 2-0 win at the Olimpico, a match in which the Giallorossi played a bit of cat and mouse, hitting the Basque formation at the right point, first with El Shaarawy and then with Kumbulla.
José Mourinho’s team left the ball to Imanol Alguacil’s men, limiting themselves to doing what they do best under the Portuguese coach’s management: defending by keeping their centre of gravity low and breaking quickly. Real Sociedad fell into this ‘trap’ and are now one foot out of the second continental competition. They will have to win by at least three goals to put an end to the Capitolini’s European adventure. All done, then? Not by a long shot. Mourinho applauded his team in the first leg, but warned them against possible slumps. Roma will have to be good at defending the first leg lead in a stadium where the temperature will be very high, without thinking about the imminent derby against Lazio, which could prove decisive in terms of Champions qualification. The Portuguese coach wants to turn the page immediately after the disappointing performance on Sunday against Sassuolo, who beat them 3-4 at the Stadio Olimpico to break Pellegrini and his team-mates’ long unbeaten run at home.
Real Sociedad can’t win anymore
It is not a particularly exciting moment for Real Sociedad, who cannot find an antidote to the crisis. The Bianzzurri have barely won a game between competitions since mid-January and last weekend they were forced to postpone their appointment with three points, drawing 1-1 at Mallorca.
The qualification for the next Champions League, which only a couple of months ago seemed a foregone conclusion, is now at risk. Alguacil’s men now only have a three-point lead over fifth-placed Betis and have lost touch with Atletico Madrid. More evident than ever are the offensive limits of Oyarzabal and his team-mates, who have not scored more than one goal since the King’s Cup defeat to Barcelona on 25 January: the exception is the match a month ago against Espanyol, the Basques’ only success in the last period. To try and be more dangerous Alguacil is thinking of deploying both Kubo and Sorloth, with the Japanese behind the Norwegian striker and Oyarzabal. This means David Silva will drop back a few metres. On the other hand, Mourinho will not exaggerate with the turnover, despite the extra-cittadina being just around the corner: Karsdorp and Spinazzola will be on the flanks, while in front Dybala and Pellegrini – the latter will play with a helmet on after the 30 stitches on his head – will support Abraham. Ibanez returns from disqualification
The Prediction
Real Sociedad have shown they have more than one problem with ball possession, and with a side who will do all they can to defend their 2-0 win in the first leg, we don’t expect a spectacular match: as in the first leg, the total number of goals could be less than four. The Basque team should be able to avoid defeat this time.
Real Sociedad v Roma likely line-up
- REAL SOCIEDAD (4-3-3): Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; David Silva, Zubimendi, Illarramendi; Kubo, Sorloth, Oyarzabal.
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibañez; Karsdorp, Matic, Cristante, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Dybala; Abraham.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1