Two teams desperate for their first Europa League victory this season will face off on Thursday evening, as Roma welcome Dynamo Kiev to Stadio Olimpico.The Giallorossi were dealt a blow in Sweden in their last outing, while their Ukrainian visitors endured a second consecutive defeat, leaving both sides eager for points to kick-start their campaign in the league-phase standings.Under new manager Ivan Juric, Roma initially showed promise with back-to-back league wins and a draw against Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League opener. However, their shaky form resurfaced in October, with the most disappointing moment being a 1-0 loss to Elfsborg despite dominating possession and shots. They followed that up with a 1-1 home draw against Monza before the international break.Things didn’t improve last weekend when Roma suffered another setback, losing to Inter Milan at Stadio Olimpico after two defensive lapses allowed the reigning Serie A champions to clinch the game on the counterattack. As a result, Roma are now winless in their last three matches across all competitions.⚽️ La rifinitura prima di Roma-Dynamo Kyiv#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/Qd5vPWA8s9— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) October 23, 2024 This recent run of poor form has sparked intense speculation about Juric’s future, with rumors that club legend Daniele De Rossi could be called in as a replacement. The former Torino manager is therefore under pressure to deliver a positive result on Thursday night.Adding to the tension, Roma are currently enduring a four-match winless streak in the Europa League, their longest in the tournament’s history, including the competition’s previous incarnation as the UEFA Cup. Their fifth encounter with Dynamo Kiev – with whom they are tied at two wins apiece from their past Champions League clashes – will be crucial for Juric’s tenure.Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Dynamo have lost the advantage of playing home games in Kyiv. Instead, they were defeated by Roma’s city rivals Lazio at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, conceding three goals in the first 33 minutes. A subsequent 2-0 loss to Hoffenheim earlier this month left Dynamo still searching for their first points in the competition.Mourinho hoping to get his fourth PL title with Manchester UnitedDynamo’s struggles in Europe have been stark: they’ve lost nine of their last 10 Europa League matches, drawing the other, and their last three losses have come with a combined 7-0 scoreline. Along with another club, they are one of two sides yet to find the net in this season’s tournament, making a playoff spot the most realistic target for Oleksandr Shovkovskyi’s squad after failing to reach the Champions League group stage.In contrast to their continental woes, Dynamo remain dominant in the Ukrainian Premier League, extending their lead at the top with a 5-1 demolition of FC Obolon on Saturday.Roma, meanwhile, come into the match off the back of another disappointing defeat last weekend and face a tricky away trip to Fiorentina in Tuscany on Sunday. As a result, coach Juric is expected to rotate his lineup for the Europa League fixture.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Only Stephan El Shaarawy (calf) and Alexis Saelemaekers (ankle) are ruled out through injury, as French midfielder Enzo Le Fee returned to action with a brief appearance against Inter. With most of the squad fit, veteran defender Mats Hummels could finally make his highly anticipated debut, while Argentine winger Matias Soule is likely to take the place of Paulo Dybala in attack.For Dynamo, Ukraine Under-21 international Maksym Bragaru will miss out again as he continues to serve a suspension following his red card against Lazio on Matchday 1. Veteran striker Andriy Yarmolenko remains doubtful, which could see Nazar Voloshyn step in on the right flank, while Oleksandr Pikhalionok and Brayan Ceballos remain sidelined.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – ROUND 3Wednesday17:30: (1.80) Braga (3.60) Bodo (4.60)17:30: (1.25) Galatasaray (6.50) Elfsborg (10.5)Thursday19:45: (1.17) Eintr.Frankfurt (8.00) Rigas (14.0)19:45: (3.05) Ferencvaros (3.35) Nice (2.35)19:45: (4.80) Maccabi T.A. (3.50) Sociedad (1.78)19:45: (2.20) Midtjylland (3.45) St.Gilloise (3.25)19:45: (2.00) PAOK (3.50) Plzen (3.70)19:45: (3.10) Qarabag (3.50) Ajax (2.25)19:45: (1.62) Roma (3.80) Dynamo Kyiv (5.80)22:00: (1.85) Anderlecht (3.50) Ludogorets (4.40)22:00: (1.85) Ath.Bilbao (3.50) Slavia Praha (4.40)22:00: (2.75) Fenerbahce (3.35) Man.Utd. (2.55)22:00: (2.80) Malmo (3.30) Olympiakos (2.55)22:00: (1.72) Olympique Lyon (3.70) Besiktas (5.00)22:00: (1.62) Porto (3.90) Hoffenheim (5.60)22:00: (1.50) Rangers (4.20) FCSB (6.75)22:00: (1.45) Tottenham (4.50) AZ Alkmaar (7.00)22:00: (2.75) Twente (3.30) Lazio (2.60)***odds are subject to change***
