I aim for a successful return to the continental stage, Roma meet Sporty Bilbao in hers Europa League Opening as they launch their campaign on Thursday evening.

The clash at the Stadio Olimpico will be the first meeting between the two teams in UEFA competition, with the hosts having changed coaches and their Basque visitors in top form.

Game preview

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With just three points to his name from four Serie A games, the Roma board recently sacked the former coach Daniele De Rossibefore the club icon could launch an attack to move two steps further in this year’s Europa League.

After the takeover of Jose MourinhoHe led the Giallorossi to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Bayer Leverkusen, but a slow start to the season cost him his job and his Croatian coach Ivan Juric was quickly appointed.

Despite fan protests at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma finally managed to record their first win of the season in their last game, defeating in-form Udinese 3-0 thanks to goals Artem Dovbyk, Tommaso Baldanzi And Paulo Dybala.

Having made such a strong start in difficult circumstances, Juric will now look to lead his side to victory on the opening matchday of the new-look Europa League, in which each team plays eight different opponents in the league phase.

Of course, the Giallorossi won their first Conference League trophy under Mourinho just over two years ago, and they also have a strong recent record in Europe’s second-tier tournament.

Roma have lost just three of their last 18 Europa League games (winning half of them) and suffered just one setback in seven home games in last season’s competition.

However, the capital club go into Thursday’s game having won just one of their last eight games against Spanish sides, with Athletic Club’s tenth game against Spanish sides set to be.

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While Roma are regulars in UEFA competitions, Athletic’s last appearance on the European stage was in 2018 when they were eliminated by Marseille in the round of 16 of the Europa League.

The Bilbao club have lost their last three games this season and six years later they will be doing everything they can to avoid losing four European games in a row for the first time in their history.

Ernesto ValverdeThe Barcelona side will certainly be confident of avoiding that fate and taking points home from Rome as they now aim for a fourth consecutive victory after three wins in La Liga in the second half of September.

Last week, Athletic moved up to third in the table after a first-half brace against Celta Vigo Gorka Guruzeta And Alvaro Djalois the first goal in Spanish football.

After triumphing in the Copa del Rey last season and finishing fifth in the league, the Basques have set their sights even higher this time – and former Barcelona coach Valverde could also be aiming for great success in Europe.

Having won just once in nine previous trips to Italy – and not since 1997 – Athletic Club can look to turn over a new leaf on Thursday and get their Europa League challenge off to a fast start.

Roma form (all competitions):

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

Team news

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Ivan Juric can make changes between league games anyway, but in the Roma captain’s case his decision could be forced Lorenzo Pellegriniwho it is doubtful whether he will be there on Thursday.

The Italian midfielder limped off the pitch against Udinese with a knee problem and subsequently missed training so he was able to take part Alexis Saelemaekers And Enzo Le Fee on the sidelines – the latter hopes to be back for Sunday’s Serie A game against Venezia.

Having now scored in back-to-back games for the Giallorossi, Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk faces one of the few La Liga sides he failed to score against in an excellent 2023/24 season in Girona.

In the meantime, Athletic Club will have to make do without the services of a star player Nico Williams for their trip to Italy as the Euro 2024 winner suffered an ankle sprain in the recent game against Leganes.

Yeray Alvarez and regular goalkeeper Unai Simon are also not available with Julen Agirrezabala The latter continues to be represented between the offices.

Inaki Williams He is expected to step in in his brother’s likely absence Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet and Alvaro Djalo also struggled for selection in the final third; Gorka Guruzeta should start at the front.

Roma possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Mancini, Hermoso, Ndicka; Celik, Kone, Cristante, El Shaarawy; Soule, Baldanzi; Dovbyk

Possible Athletic Bilbao starting lineup:
Agirrezabala; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Ruiz de Galarreta, Vesga; I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta

We say: Rome – Athletic Bilbao 1:1

Now that Ivan Juric has taken the reins at Roma, the home side will be harder to beat, meaning Athletic Club may continue to wait for a win on the Italian peninsula.

Both teams would likely settle for a point from one of their tougher league stage contests, with much friendlier encounters on both sides next month.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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