AS Roma and Viktoria Plzen go head-to-head in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
Both sides will be searching for crucial points in the league phase, with the Giallorossi looking to bounce back from consecutive home defeats. At the same time, the Czech visitors aim to continue their unbeaten European campaign.
AS Roma vs Viktoria Plzen – Match Preview and Team News
Date: 23rd October, Thursday.
Kick-off: 8pm BST.
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Roma.
AS Roma Team News
Roma could hand increased minutes to summer signing Leon Bailey. The on-loan winger made his long-awaited debut against Inter Milan after spending almost two months sidelined with a thigh injury sustained in his first training session. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed Bailey has looked impressive in training and provided a spark off the bench in his cameo appearance.
Paulo Dybala has recovered from his thigh injury and is fully available after featuring against Fiorentina and Inter. The Argentine forward is pushing for a starting berth as he aims to score his 200th career goal. However, Gasperini faces a selection dilemma with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Stephan El Shaarawy also vying for attacking positions alongside Matias Soulé.
Spanish wing-back Angelino remains a doubt. Tsimikas is expected to deputise on the left flank in case Angelino misses out. Midfielder Edoardo Bove continues his recovery from cardiac issues.
Roma’s striking duo of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson have struggled for form, combining for just one goal and two assists this season. Dovbyk’s confidence will need rebuilding after he missed two penalties in the 1-0 home defeat to Lille, with the match producing the remarkable spectacle of three consecutive penalty saves.
Viktoria Plzen Team News
Viktoria Plzen will be without Iraqi defender Merchas Doski, who must serve a suspension following his straight red card in the 3-0 victory over Malmö. The sending-off came after a dangerous tackle that saw the referee initially show no card before upgrading the decision to a dismissal upon VAR review.
Forward Rafiu Durosinmi leads the line for the Czech side and has been in excellent form, scoring two goals in his first two Europa League appearances this season. The 22-year-old Nigerian has recorded six goal involvements in five Europa League starts throughout his career and will pose a significant threat to Roma’s defence.
Experienced striker Matej Vydra will partner Durosinmi in attack. The 33-year-old Czech international, formerly of Burnley and Watford, has impressed domestically with six goals in nine league games and netted once in Plzen’s opening Europa League fixture.
Jan Kopic and Jiri Panos remain fitness doubts for the visitors and are unlikely to feature.
Form
AS Roma
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side has endured a challenging period despite sitting fourth in Serie A. The Giallorossi have suffered consecutive 1-0 home defeats to Inter Milan and Lille, with both losses exposing their struggles in front of goal. Roma have scored just seven goals in seven league matches, with only eight Serie A teams proving less prolific.
However, their defensive record remains impressive, as they have conceded only three goals in domestic competition. The Romans secured a credible 2-1 away victory at Fiorentina before the international break and opened their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Nice on the French Riviera. Their attacking issues stem from misfiring centre-forwards, with Gasperini experimenting with false nine formations featuring Dybala.
Viktoria Plzen
The Czech side played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Hradec Kralove before securing a 1-0 victory over Bohemians in domestic action. Durosinmi found the net in both fixtures, demonstrating his importance to the team.
In the Europa League, Plzen earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Ferencvaros in their opener after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser. They bounced back emphatically with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Swedish champions Malmö, despite both teams being reduced to ten men. Currently eighth in the Europa League standings with four points, Plzen have made an unbeaten start to their continental campaign.
Predicted Lineups
AS Roma: Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka; Rensch, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Tsimikas; Bailey, Baldanzi; Dovbyk.
Viktoria Plzen: Jedlicka; Jemelka, Dweh, Spacil; Valenta, Souare, Cerv, Havel; Memic, Vydra; Durosinmi.
How to Watch AS Roma vs Viktoria Plzen?
UK fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports 6 and Discovery+.
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