Servette will play host to AS Roma in Geneva for their penultimate Europa League group game of the 2023/24 season. Servette has struggled a lot this season, while AS Roma has blown hot and cold on the home front but has stayed competitive in Europe.
As of the time of writing, Servette has only won two league games in the Swiss Super League this season. The first win of the season came against Grasshoppers. After that, they played four consecutive draws – against Genk twice in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, FC Zurich and Lausanne Ouchy. They then lost to Rangers in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifiers before playing another round of draws against St. Gallen in the Swiss Super League and Rangers to eventually be demoted to the UEFA Europa League from the Champions League.
Servette thrashed Meyrin 8-0 in the Swiss Cup to record a first win since July. They followed that win with another series of below-par performances in the league against Yverdon and Young Boys – losing both games. However, they continue to record joy in the cup competition as they defeated Bulle 4-1 before defeats to Slavia Prague and Luzern in the Europa League and Swiss Super League, respectively. Servette then played a draw with Winterthur before recording their first league win since match day one against Lausanne.
Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma started the season and played out a 2-2 draw with Salernitana in their Serie A opener at Stadio Olimpico before back-to-back defeats to Hellas Verona and Milan.
Influential Paulo Dybala returned after the first three games of the season, and Roma’s form jacked up a bit as they put seven past Empoli at Stadio Olimpico. The World Cup winner was unplayable, scored two goals, and combined well with Romelu Lukaku throughout the one-sided encounter. Roma got their Europa League campaign underway with a 2-1 win against Sheriff Tiraspol. Romelu Lukaku was on target for the second game running to help the Giallorossi secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season. In Serie A, Torino forced Roma to a 1-1 draw as Lukaku scored in his third consecutive game. Roma then suffered a thumping 4-1 loss at the hands of Genoa before returning to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Frosinone at the Stadio Olimpico days later.
Servette did great in the Swiss Super League last season, allowing them to play in Europe this season. Meanwhile, AS Roma, under Jose Mourinho, have gone far in European tournaments – having won the Europa Conference League in 2021 and got to the final of the Europa League last season. Undoubtedly, the Italian side is one of the favourites to win the competition based on that.
Based on form and pedigree, the Italians should win this game and are overwhelming favourites However, the lack of consistent performances from the Italians could give the home side hope.
Match tickets
The epic match at Stade de Genève in Geneva kicks off on Thursday, 30th November, at 9 PM UK time, and it will be shown live on TNT Sports, with coverage starting from around 8 PM.
This is a match-day five clash between Servette and the former Europa League finalists. Thursday night will be special for the Swiss side in their 30,084-capacity stadium as Roma come to town.
Getting tickets for the Servette vs AS Roma match tickets could take a lot of work, given the standard of this game and the calibre of the team coming. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
As of the time of writing, Servette has no fresh injury concerns apart from Theo Magnin and Alexander Lyng, who have been missing in action for a while now. The chances of Servette going through look slim, but Rene Weiler will be hopeful that his selections for this big game will give their best against the Italian side. Kutesa and Stevanovic should line up in midfield, while Crivelli and Antunes could continue their partnership in attack.
Servette: Frick; Rouiller, Severin, Baron, Bolla ; Stevanovic, Cognat, Ondoua, Kutesa; Crivelli, Antunes.
Due to Roma’s hot and cold form this season, Jose Mourinho has made some changes to his squad in the past, and the same can be expected here as they look to reach the second round. Dybala and Lukaku, who have contributed to the goals recently, are expected to continue leading the line. Midfielder Renato Sanches remains a doubt, while striker Tammy Abraham and Marash Kumbulla are long-term absentees and could be unavailable for this trip to Switzerland.
AS Roma: Patricio; Mancini, Llorente, Ndicka; Kristensen, Cristante, Paredes, El Shaarawy, Spinazzola; Dybala, Lukaku.
Prediction
Servette needs to wake up from their sleep. They finished second in the Swiss Super League last term but have been a shadow of themselves this campaign. They have been undone by the defeat at home against Slavia Prague and will need some excellent performances in the final round of games to finish strongly.
On the other hand, Roma has blown hot and cold this season, and it is challenging to know the kind of performance the Italians will give in this game. The Giallorossi are massive bookmakers’ favourites to win this game.
A clean sheet is rare in the books of Servette, and with the presence of Lukaku and Dybala in Roma’s attack, they might not get to keep another one in this fixture.
Servette 1-2 AS Roma
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