Roma and Athletic Bilbao are set to lock horns in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, a matchup that promises high intensity and tactical battles. Having already met in the group stage, where they played out a 1-1 draw, both sides now seek to establish control in this knockout round.
For Roma, the journey has been anything but smooth. After struggling early in the season, a managerial change brought stability, leading to a crucial 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt that secured their playoff spot. A dramatic 3-2 win against Porto then paved their way to the last 16.
Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, arrive in Rome in strong form, despite a narrow 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid last weekend. Prior to that, they dominated Girona 3-0 and hammered Real Valladolid 7-0, proving their attacking prowess.
On the team news front, Roma could welcome back top scorer Artem Dovbyk into the starting lineup after his goal-scoring return from injury. However, Paulo Dybala’s involvement remains uncertain, with youngsters like Matias Soule and Tommaso Baldanzi waiting in the wings.
Statistically, Roma have been dominant at home in Europe, winning 27 of their last 38 matches while suffering only two defeats. However, Athletic Bilbao are determined to avoid past knockout-stage failures, having lost four of their last five elimination ties. Given the quality on both sides, a closely contested affair is expected.
Prediction: Roma 1-1 Athletic Bilbao. While the home side boasts a strong European record, Athletic’s attacking threats should ensure they leave Rome with at least a goal. The second leg in Spain will likely decide the fate of this compelling tie.