Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Europa League clash between Roma and Dynamo Kiev, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two teams seeking their first win in this season’s Europa League will clash at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening, as Roma host Dynamo Kiev.
While the Giallorossi were humbled in Sweden last time out, their Ukrainian counterparts suffered a second straight defeat, so both need points to start climbing the league-phase table.
Match preview
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After winning both of their first two league games under new coach Ivan Juric – and drawing against Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League opener – Roma’s sub-par start to the season has resumed in October, with the lowlight being a dismal defeat to Elfsborg.
Despite dominating both possession and the shot count, the Serie A side were beaten 1-0 in Boras, before heading into the international break with an underwhelming 1-1 draw against Monza.
Following another setback last weekend, when two careless mistakes allowed Italian champions Inter Milan to score on the counter and decide a close contest at Stadio Olimpico, Roma are therefore winless in three games across all competitions.
Recent results have prompted wild speculation that Juric could be swiftly sacked, with club legend Daniele De Rossi brought back to replace him, so the ex-Torino tactician will be keen to start turning things around on Thursday.
Roma are also aiming to end a four-match streak without victory in the Europa League, which is their longest winless run in the competition to date – including under its former guise as the UEFA Cup.
So, the Giallorossi’s fifth meeting with Dynamo – the previous four all came in the Champions League group stage, bringing two wins apiece – has plenty riding on it for their under-fire boss.
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Hampered by a lack of home advantage – Kyiv remains off-limits due to the ongoing war in Ukraine – Dynamo lost to Roma’s Eternal City rivals Lazio on the opening matchday, when they went three goals down within 33 minutes at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion.
Then, a 2-0 reverse against Hoffenheim in early October left them pointless from two matches, so any hopes of a top-eight finish in the league phase are already fading.
After that defeat in Germany, they have now lost nine of their last 10 games in the Europa League – drawing the other – and losing each of the last three by an aggregate scoreline of 7-0.
Dynamo are one of two teams yet to even score in the competition this season, so recovering to claim a playoff place may be the most realistic ambition remaining for Oleksandr Shovkovskyi‘s side, who previously failed to make it through Champions League qualifying.
By contrast with their continental form, in the Ukrainian Premier League they still rule supreme, as Saturday’s 5-1 thumping of FC Obolon left them two points clear at the top.
Roma Europa League form:
Roma form (all competitions):
Dynamo Kiev Europa League form:
Dynamo Kiev form (all competitions):
Team News
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After another defeat at the weekend – and ahead of a trip to Tuscany, where Fiorentina will await on Sunday – Roma boss Ivan Juric is sure to rotate his squad in the Europa League.
Only Stephan El Shaarawy (calf) and Alexis Saelemaekers (ankle) are sidelined by injury, as French midfielder Enzo Le Fee completed his recovery from a tendon problem by making a cameo appearance against Inter.
With an otherwise full squad to choose from, veteran centre-back Mats Hummels could finally make his long-awaited debut in defence, while Argentinian winger Matias Soule may replace compatriot Paulo Dybala in the hosts’ attack.
Meanwhile, Dynamo will again be without Ukraine Under-21 international Maksym Bragaru, who continues to serve a suspension for his red card against Lazio on the opening matchday.
Experienced striker Andriy Yarmolenko remains a major doubt, meaning Nazar Voloshyn should start on the right wing, while Oleksandr Pikhalionok and Brayan Ceballos are still unavailable.
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Hermoso, Hummels, Ndicka; Celik, Pisilli, Cristante, Angelino; Soule, Baldanzi; Shomorudov
Dynamo Kiev possible starting lineup:
Bushchan; Karavayev, Popov, Mykhavko, Dubinchak; Brazhko, Mykolenko; Voloshyn, Buyalskyi, Kabayev; Vanat
We say: Roma 2-1 Dynamo Kiev
Roma had scored in their previous 24 Serie A home matches ahead of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat, so they should certainly find their way past a shaky Dynamo defence.
The visitors not only struggle to keep the back door shut, but history is not on their side either: the Kyiv club have won just once in 13 visits to Italy – though that was a 3-0 victory over none other than Roma in September 2004.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.