Romavs.Frankfurt

The Italian club have just a one-point buffer to the elimination zone, while their German counterparts are sitting pretty in second place.

Match preview

Approaching the climax of an inconsistent campaign, Roma risk bowing out at the opening stage of a European competition for the first time since making an early Champions League exit 10 years ago.

The Giallorossi have never fallen at the first hurdle in either the Europa League or UEFA Cup, but failing to claim maximum points in Thursday's final fixture could see them slip out of the top 24.

Last week's 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar brought stern criticism from usually avuncular coach Claudio Ranieri, as Roma failed to book their place in the playoffs, and they have won just two of seven games so far.

Ranieri may have steadied the ship after a sustained period of turmoil, but his team only sit ninth in Serie A, nine points adrift of city rivals and current Europa League leaders Lazio, who occupy Italy's fourth Champions League place.

After suffering another European setback in Alkmaar, Roma returned to domestic duty on Sunday, when they finally ended their 13-game wait for an elusive away win by beating Udinese 2-1.

Winning successive league matches for only the second time this season should brighten the mood ahead of a crucial continental clash at Stadio Olimpico.

While history will be on their side in one respect - having lost just three of their last 45 home fixtures in Europe, winning 33 - Roma have won only three of their last 14 meetings with German opponents.

Their hosts may be sitting on a knife-edge, but Eintracht Frankfurt will encounter Roma for the very first time having safely secured their place in the knockout rounds.

Die Adler can now soar straight through to the last 16 without needing a playoff, as one more point would guarantee a cherished top-eight finish.

However, in the event of a defeat, all eyes would be on results elsewhere - only three points separate Dino Toppmoller's side from 10th-placed Bodo/Glimt.

Last week's 2-0 home victory over Ferencvaros moved Frankfurt up to second spot in the standings, with goals from Can Uzun and Hugo Ekitike earning their fifth win of the league phase, and they now head back out on the road.

Though they lost 3-2 in Lyon on matchday six - ending an 18-match unbeaten streak in UEFA's second-tier competition - the 2022 champions had previously won five straight Europa League away games, so they may relish a trip to Rome.

Having warmed up for the task with an eventful 2-2 draw against Hoffenheim - with Ekitike bagging a brace before they conceded a late equaliser - Eintracht sit inside the Bundesliga's top three and should be full of confidence.

Roma Europa League form:

L

W

D

D

W

L

Roma form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

L

W

Eintracht Frankfurt Europa League form:

W

W

W

W

L

W

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

W

D

Team News

After making several changes on Sunday - such as resting star man Paulo Dybala and handing Devyne Rensch his Roma debut - Claudio Ranieri is set to name his best XI for Thursday's big game.

Dybala, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Saelemaekers and Mats Hummels are all set to return, with the hosts having a fully fit squad to choose from.

Only Spanish centre-back Mario Hermoso will be unavailable, as he has missed training while wrapping up a mid-season switch to Bayer Leverkusen.

Of course, Eintracht Frankfurt recently lost their main marksman Omar Marmoush to Manchester City, and his replacement Elye Wahi is ineligible until the Europa League's knockout phase.

Hugo Ekitike, Can Uzun and Mario Gotze could therefore join forces up front, with Ansgar Knauff also in contention; former Roma loanee Rasmus Kristensen should feature on the visitors' right flank.

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, Pellegrini; Dovbyk

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Collins, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson, Knauff; Uzun, Gotze; Ekitike

We say: Roma 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Consistently inconsistent, Roma tend to be a little more predictable on home turf, where they are far tougher to beat.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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