The Stadio Olimpico stands for many a magical football night. For example, AS Roma’s memorable comeback once morest FC Barcelona (then with Lionel Messi) is unforgettable. In April 2018, the “Wolves” retained the upper hand 3-0 following a 4-1 away defeat and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals due to the away goals rule (which has since been abolished).
Last but not least, Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle knows what a Herculean task his “Red Bulls” face in today’s second leg of the Europa League (9 p.m., ServusTV and Sky). “Anyone who has been there knows the energy this arena exudes,” emphasized the 34-year-old German, whose team traveled to the Italian capital with a 1-0 lead from the first game.
AS Roma are expecting more than 62,000 fans who have often given Jose Mourinho’s team wings. In the current championship, the Giallorossi around the two ailing and therefore questionable offensive stars Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham only conceded five goals in eleven home games, in the European Cup there were eleven wins in the last 15 games at home.
19 legionnaires, 16 senior national players, 338.75 million market value
“We meet an absolute top opponent, it will be a brutal challenge,” says Jaissle. AS Roma not only won the Europa Conference League in 2022, they are also currently on course for the Champions League as third in Serie A.
19 legionnaires and 16 senior national players are in the squad, whose market value is estimated at 338.75 million euros. The ensemble from Salzburg brings it to 223.33 million in comparison. Of that, 20 million goes to the Serbian central defender Strahinja Pavlovic.
The people of Mozart will sorely miss their mentality monster in the Eternal City, a ban does not allow them to play. Also not on board is the Brazilian Fernando, who once more suffered from thigh problems in the final training session. The two heroes from Wals-Siezenheim are in top form for this.
Goalie Philipp Köhn should have his hands full once more, Nicolas Capaldo was the gold goal scorer in the 88th minute. “The key will be that we act very disciplined once more, defend with concentration and appear courageous,” said Jaissle.
90 or even 120 minutes will show whether this succeeds.
Author
Alexander Zambarloukos
Alexander Zambarloukos
