Roma v Salzburg is the return match of the Europa League round of 16 play-offs, to be played on Thursday at 21:00: free-to-air TV, line-ups, predictions
Lots of bad luck in the first leg in Salzburg, but also lots of inaccuracy in front of goal, now one of the hallmarks of José Mourinho’s Roma version 2.0. The Portuguese coach, as well as all Giallorossi fans, still has in mind the clamorous mistakes and the woodwork caught by his team a week ago in the Austrian away match.
And above all the goals devoured by the English centre forward Abraham, who is failing to be a factor this year as he was last season. In Austria Roma certainly deserved more than a ‘mock defeat’ (1-0) that now complicates their plans to qualify for the Europa League round of 16. At the end of the match, Mourinho paid compliments to Matthias Jaissle’s line-up, which has been an example for years in terms of the development of young talent, but at the same time emphasised the dominance of his men. But in football, you know, if you don’t score goals you risk big. And Roma were punished just two minutes from the end, when the tie seemed already on ice. Capaldo’s goal obliged Pellegrini and his team-mates to beat Salzburg in the return leg at the Stadio Olimpico, who, as happened several times last year in the Conference League, would have to be the twelfth man on the pitch and push their favourites towards a not easy comeback.
Mou with doubts Abraham and Dybala
Mourinho approaches a crucial challenge with more than a few formation doubts as he risks missing two starters Abraham and Dybala. The former Chelsea striker suffered a face injury in the league against Verona and will only be able to play with a protective mask. Dybala’s recovery is less certain.
Fernando and Okafor
Some problems also for Jaissle, who in defence will not be able to count on the Serbian Pavlovic. In his place is Bernardo, while in attack Fernando and Okafor should play, supported by Adamu. In the meantime, the Austrians continued to win – 3-1 at WSG Tirol – also at the weekend, as they often do in their championship, where they are currently first in the standings with six points ahead of second-placed Sturm Graz. Roma immediately turned the page, beating Verona 1-0 with a goal from winter signing Solbakken to move back into third place, level with AC Milan on 44 points. But now the focus is on the cup: elimination would be a bitter disappointment after last year’s Conference League triumph.
The prediction
That Roma did not deserve defeat in the first leg is beyond doubt. The Giallorossi had several chances to take the lead but did not take them. They cannot make mistakes in the return match, where winning by at least one goal would mean going into extra time. Barring any possible absences, Mourinho’s side should be able to get the better of a Salzburg side who, as they proved last autumn in the double-header against AC Milan, are less fearsome away from home.
Roma v Salzburg likely line-up
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Zalewski, Matic, Cristante, El Shaarawy; Dybala, Pellegrini; Abraham.
- SALISBURG (4-3-1-2): Kohn; Ulmer, Bernardo, Solet, Dedic; Seiwald, Gourna-Douath, Capaldo; Adamu; Fernando, Okafor.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
