Roma-Feyenoord is a match valid for the return leg of the play-offs for access to the round of 16 of the Europa League and is played on Thursday at 9 p.m.: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
The challenge at de Kuip seven days ago ended in a deadlock. Two headers, first Paixao’s and then Lukaku’s, were the only flashes within a very balanced and intense match. The qualification will therefore be decided at the Olimpico, a stadium that has become a real taboo for Arne Slot’s Feyenoord for a few years now, defeated twice out of two even in the last confrontations with the other Capitoline team, Lazio.
Roma will try to emulate their hated cousins, as they did last year, when a Dybala goal with a few minutes to go allowed the Giallorossi to drag the match into extra time, where then the then José Mourinho-coached lineup ramped up. Now on the bench is Daniele De Rossi, an “almost rookie” who in a short time has managed to give the jolt a team in identity (and nerves) crisis needed. Facilitated by a schedule that is far from impossible, Roma’s new coach has already achieved four victories. The only defeat is the one with the crusher of Serie A, Inter, immediately forgotten last Sunday thanks to a 3-0 win over Frosinone, a crucial victory to stay attached to the Champions League train.
Feyenoord, seven under 2.5s in a row
The constipated attack of the Mourinho era is a distant memory. Roma now has a more fluid, purposeful game and is always looking for possession. The numbers, after all, do not lie: only against Feyenoord in the first leg did Pellegrini and his teammates score less than two goals.
In contrast, the Dutch, curiously enough, are scoring with the dropper, even in the Eredivisie. And it is no coincidence that in the last seven matches the total goals have been less and less than three. On Sunday, against Waalwijk, a goal by Wieffer was enough to give Slot their third consecutive success. Little or nothing has changed in the standings, however, as the elusive PSV Eindhoven continues to have 10 more points. The red and white coach is grappling with the doubtful Nieuwkoop, who came out of the de Kuip match battered, while Trauner, already absent in the first leg, will be absent at the Olimpico. He will send in the best instead De Rossi: the only defections at home Roma are those of Bove, disqualified, and Englishman Abraham.
The prediction
Yes, ok the Olympic taboo, but Feyenoord away often less incisive than when playing in front of their own public. In the Champions League group stage, not surprisingly, three defeats out of three have come away from de Kuip. Roma’s 90-minute win would therefore come as no surprise, as the Giallorossi have won their last eight matches in European competitions played at home. The number of total goals could be between two and four.
Roma-Feyenoord
probable lineups.
ROMA (4-3-3): Svilar; Karsdorp, Llorente, Mancini, Spinazzola; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy.
FEYENOORD (4-2-3-1): Wellenereuther; Geertruida, Beelen, Hancko, Hartman; Wieffer, Timber; Jahanbakhsh, Stengs, Paixao; Gimenez.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
