Empolivs.Roma

While the Giallorossi won their Europa League game in midweek and are back in the mix for a top-six domestic finish, their hosts sit inside the Serie A drop zone.

Match preview

After scoring in recent games against Napoli and Monza, Roma wing-back Angelino popped up with another goal on Thursday evening, as the capital club turned the first leg of their latest Europa League tie on its head.

Trailing Athletic Bilbao with the hour mark approaching, the Spanish star pulled his team level, before substitute Eldor Shomurodov's winner came from almost the last kick against tiring 10-man opponents.

As a result, Roma now have the most victories in the history of UEFA's second-tier club competition - with 97 wins from 185 games - and will take a lead to the Basque Country for next week's return.

Also unbeaten in Serie A this year, the Giallorossi overcame Como last Sunday, with Artem Dovbyk netting the decisive strike in a 2-1 victory and making it 11 league games without defeat.

Since Claudio Ranieri's return in November, only league leaders Inter Milan have won more matches across all competitions, and Roma have already prevailed 10 times this calendar year.

Back in his home city, Ranieri arrived as interim coach when Ivan Juric followed club legend Daniele De Rossi through the door amid a thoroughly grim start to the season.

The latter's sacking came soon after the Giallorossi lost 1-0 to Empoli in Rome. They have, however, won eight of their last 10 league games against Empoli, including a 7-0 success last term.

That represented the heaviest defeat in Empoli's entire Serie A history, but the Azzurri crucially came out on top when the teams most recently met at Stadio Castellani, on the final matchday of 2023-24.

Needing victory to avoid relegation, a last-gasp strike secured a vital 2-1 win and they survived by the skin of their teeth. Almost one year on, the Tuscan club are again in danger of demotion, due to an awful run of results.

Alberto Grassi's first Serie A strike since 2019 was not quite enough to earn maximum points in Genoa last time out, as Empoli conceded a late goal that kept them stuck inside the bottom three.

Roberto D'Aversa had previously seen his side thumped 5-0 by Atalanta BC during a run of four league defeats by an aggregate scoreline of 14-1, so at least they stopped the rot in Liguria.

The only bright light amid such gloom was last week's shock penalty shootout win over Juventus in the Coppa Italia, which broke new ground by setting up Empoli's first-ever cup semi-final.

They will play Bologna over two legs in April - with the winner to meet either one of the Milan clubs in Rome - but first the minor matter of fighting for survival is at hand.

Empoli Serie A form:

D

L

L

L

L

D

Empoli form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

W

D

Roma Serie A form:

W

D

W

W

W

W

Roma form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

After Roma's top scorer Artem Dovbyk celebrated his return from injury by scoring in consecutive matches, it remains to be seen whether he will be rested on Sunday evening, with one eye on next week's trip to Bilbao.

Claudio Ranieri is set to rotate his squad significantly, though young forward Tommaso Baldanzi will be keen to stay in the starting XI upon returning to his former club. He will fight with Stephan El Shaarawy, Matias Soule, Nicolo Pisilli and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini for selection.

While Leandro Paredes returns after serving a one-match UEFA ban, Gianluca Mancini is now suspended; so Ranieri may consider a rare start for Mats Hummels, who has recently been out of favour.

Meanwhile, Empoli are still burdened by a long injury list, featuring five long-term absentees. Defensive duo Mattia Viti and Ardian Ismajli may also miss out, while Tino Anjorin and Jacopo Fazzini remain doubtful.

Once again, Marco Silvestri and Devis Vasquez will vie to start in goal; formerly first choice, the latter might return after Silvestri's late error effectively cost the Tuscans two points in Genoa.

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, Pezzella; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Maleh, Cacace; Esposito, Colombo

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Rensch, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Soule, Pellegrini; Shomurodov

We say: Empoli 0-2 Roma

Following four successive home wins, Roma can boost their modest away record by beating lowly Empoli.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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