One of the favourites to lift the Europa League trophy Roma will be hoping to live up those expectations when they host Feyenoord in the first leg of their last-32 clash on Thursday.
Roma were instantly instilled as one of the teams to go on and win this competition after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League group stages losing out to Bayern Munich and Manchester City in Group E. This could be only opportunity for Rudi Garcia’s side after failing to make ground on Serie A leaders Juventus at the weekend after a draw with bottom club Parma.
Feyenoord are also one of the teams that many consider that could go all the way in this competition after finishing top of Group G ahead of another competition favourite Sevilla. Like their hosts this could be their opportunity of silverware this season as they currently sit a massive 20 points behind Eredivisie front-runners PSV and were knocked out of KNVB cup some time ago. They could prove a stern test for their Italian counterparts as they have won their last three games in the Europa League aswell as keeping clean sheets in these games.
Kevin Strootman and Federico Balzaretti have both been left out of Roma’s Europa League squad as they both suffering with long term injuries, they aren’t the only concerns with; Leandro Castan, Victor Ibarbo and Juan Iturbe all out and Francesco Totti and Maicon are doubts. They can however welcome back Gervinho who made a return at the weekend after his victorious AFCON campaign aswell as Jose Holebas who was suspended for the weekend game.
Elvis Manu is unavailable for the Dutch outfit through injury but Luke Wilshere could make a return to the side, coach Fred Rutten will be hoping the Australian is available as Khalid Boulahrouz has been struggling with illness. A major concern will be that five regular starters for Feyenoord are all one booking away from suspension.