Roma v Real Sociedad is the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 and will be played on Thursday at 18:45: live TV, formations, predictions.
Another Spanish exam for Roma, who survived a tricky double-header against hostile Salzburg in the Europa League round of 16 play-off. Last autumn it was Betis, a team from the top flight of La Liga, who sent José Mourinho’s Giallorossi into the play-offs, forcing them to play two more games against an opponent from the Champions League.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Andalusians finished first in the group thanks largely to their success at the Stadio Olimpico, which had not been breached on the continent since 2018. They will attempt to emulate Real Sociedad, one of the biggest pitfalls in the last draw at Nyon, as well as the two English bogeymen Manchester United and Arsenal. Imanol Alguacil’s Basques return to the Europa League four months after that brilliant campaign that allowed them to finish ahead of the top-ranked Red Devils thanks to the better goal difference. A calling card that Roma will have to take into account, although Oyarzabal and his team-mates’ performance has dropped since January. Real Sociedad, in fact, had given the impression until the World Cup break that they could become the third man in the title fight along with Barcelona and Real Madrid, but a few negative results were enough to lose ground to the two big names in Spain.
The Stadio Olimpico has become a fortress
The fact that they have won just one game in the last six days of the season speaks volumes about Real Sociedad’s slump: a decline that is also evident in their offensive numbers, as Alguacil’s men only scored more than one goal in the match against Espanyol, who were beaten 3-2 at home.
Alguacil and Rico
The Basque side are still fourth in the table, in the running for a Champions League place, which they will have to defend tooth and nail against the possible assaults of Betis and Villarreal, their fiercest rivals. Roma are also dreaming of qualifying for the cup with the big ears, and last Sunday’s ‘short snout’ victory over Juventus, brought down by a goal from defender Mancini, has allowed the Lusitanian coach to retake Milan on 47 points, keep pace with Lazio’s cousins and avoid being too far behind: the risk was there, especially after the absurd defeat at home to Cremonese. Max Allegri’s Bianconeri also had to bow to the ‘law’ of the Olimpico, where Roma had won their last four matches without conceding a goal. Mourinho will be able to count on the entire available squad, except for the disqualified Ibanez and the former Bodo/Glimt Solbakken, not included in the Uefa list. In defence, with Smalling and Mancini, Llorente will take his place, while in front Pellegrini and Dybala will support Abraham. In Real Sociedad, Elustondo is in doubt, while former Manchester City man David Silva, recently returned from a long injury, will start from the bench.
The Prediction
Roma and Real Sociedad are more similar than you might think: they are two teams who make solidity one of their main strengths and rarely put in spectacular performances. This is why we don’t expect a very prolific first half, although in the second half the Giallorossi could raise their centre of gravity and dare a little more, with the clear objective of being able to play on two results out of three in the return match in Spain. A victory for Mourinho’s side is not to be ruled out.
Roma v Real Sociedad likely line-ups
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Llorente; Karsdorp, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Dybala, Pellegrini; Abraham.
- REAL SOCIEDAD (4-3-1-2): Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Méndez, Zubimendi, Merino; Kubo; Oyarzabal, Sorloth.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
