Roma are set to face La Liga side Real Sociedad in the second leg of Europa League last 16 second leg after they won 2-0 in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico.
Despite this two-goal lead, there are plenty of dangers for the Giallorossi. The major one is the Derby della Capitale, which is scheduled for Sunday afternoon and could distract players and fans.
Coach Jose Mourinho during yesterday’s press conference has stated that the most important game for him is always the next one, trying to keep his players focus on today’s match.
The Special One is a specialist in Europa League as he has only lost two of his 16 games in the knockout stages of this competition.
The Giallorossi have also progressed from all five of their previous two-legged ties in the knockout stages of Europa League when winning the first leg.
Results from their last five matches in all competitions:
Real Sociedad:
D L D L D
Roma:
L W W L W
Team News:
Roma skipper Lorenzo Pellegrini will be back in action. He received 30 stitches in the forehead after a blow received during the first leg. He’s likely to start the game and he’ll be playing with a protective helmet.
Andrea Belotti is back too after missing out the last Serie A game due to a wrist surgery but he’s likely to start form the bench.
Tammy Abraham will be the lone striker with Paulo Dybala back in the line-up after starting from the bench in the last league game against Sassuolo, when he managed anyway to score his 13th goal of the season with The Giallorossi.
Georginio Wijnaldum scored too against Sassuolo but that won’t be enough to retain his place as Nemanja Matić and Bryan Cristante are likely to start the game in midfield.
Roger Ibanez is back after being suspended in the first leg and he’ll be playing next to Chris Smalling and Gianluca Mancini.
Predicted XIs
Real Sociedad (4-3-3): Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Merino, Zubimendi, Silva; Kubo, Sorloth, Oyarzabal.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Dybala; Abraham.
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Andrea Agostinelli I GIFN
