Roma will aim to make a strong return to European competition when they face Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League opener on Thursday evening. This encounter at the Stadio Olimpico marks the first time these two sides meet in UEFA competition, with Roma recently changing managers and their Basque visitors entering the match in fine form.After a slow start to their Serie A campaign with just three points from four matches, Roma’s board dismissed former coach Daniele De Rossi. Despite leading the team to the Europa League semi-finals last season, where they narrowly lost to Bayer Leverkusen, his sluggish start to this season cost him his job. Croatian coach Ivan Juric was swiftly brought in to replace him.In his debut match, Juric helped Roma secure their first win of the season, a 3-0 triumph over in-form Udinese, thanks to goals from Artem Dovbyk, Tommaso Baldanzi, and Paulo Dybala. Now, Juric will look to guide his team to a successful start in UEFA’s newly restructured Europa League, which features an expanded format with each team facing eight different opponents in the league stage.The ‘great’ strategist Ten Hag: One win in Europe with United – and even that was barely earnedRoma’s recent record in European competitions has been impressive. After winning the inaugural Conference League under Jose Mourinho two years ago, the Giallorossi have only lost three of their last 18 Europa League matches, with half ending in victories. At home, they were particularly strong last season, losing just one of seven Europa League games. However, they have struggled against Spanish sides, winning only one of their last eight encounters.Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, are making their first appearance in European competition since 2018, when they were eliminated in the Europa League’s Round of 16 by Marseille. They ended that campaign with three consecutive losses and are now eager to avoid setting an unwanted record of four straight European defeats.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Under Ernesto Valverde, Athletic have enjoyed an excellent start to the season, securing three straight La Liga victories in September. Last week, they climbed to third in the league standings after a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo, with Gorka Guruzeta scoring twice and Alvaro Djalo netting his first goal in Spanish football. After last season’s Copa del Rey triumph and a fifth-place league finish, Athletic are aiming for even greater success this year, with Valverde eyeing a deep European run as well.Historically, Athletic have struggled in Italy, winning only once in nine visits, with their last victory coming back in 1997. They will be eager to change that on Thursday and kick-start their Europa League campaign with a win.To win Europa League (as of 23 Sep):10% 🇵🇹 Porto9% 🏴 Tottenham9% 🇮🇹 Roma8% 🏴 Man United7% 🇪🇸 Athletic Bilbao7% 🇮🇹 Lazio6% 🇨🇿 Slavia5% 🇹🇷 Galatasaray4% 🇪🇸 Real Sociedad4% 🇩🇪 Eintracht Frankfurt pic.twitter.com/9oaVa3oosr— Football Meets Data (@fmeetsdata) September 23, 2024 Ivan Juric may rotate his squad for the match, particularly with captain Lorenzo Pellegrini a doubt after picking up a knee injury against Udinese. Pellegrini could join Alexis Saelemaekers and Enzo Le Fee on the sidelines, though the latter hopes to return for Roma’s next Serie A match against Venezia. Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk, having scored in consecutive games for Roma, will aim to continue his form against one of the few La Liga teams he didn’t score against during his stellar 2023-24 season at Girona.Les compos attendues pour #RomaAthleticBilbao (Gazzetta) pic.twitter.com/yrE7wSa3pb— GuillaumeMP (@Guillaumemp) September 26, 2024 Athletic Club will be missing key players as well. Nico Williams, who suffered a sprained ankle in their recent game against Leganes, is ruled out for the trip to Rome. Yeray Alvarez and first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon are also unavailable, with Julen Agirrezabala expected to continue in goal. Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, and Alvaro Djalo will vie for spots in the attack, while Gorka Guruzeta is likely to lead the line upfront.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – ROUND 1WednesdayAZ Alkmar – Elfsborg 3-2 (1-1)/Van Bommel 44, 50, Parrott 75 pen – Ouma 23, Hedlund 53/Bodo – Porto 3-2 (2-1) /Hogh 15, Hauge 40,62 – Omorodion 8, Gul 90/Anderlecht – Ferencvaros 2-1 (2-1)/Verschaeren 60, Dolberg 66 pen – Traore 86/Dynamo Kiev – Lazio 0-3 (0-3)/Dia 4,35, Dele-Bashiru 33/Galatasaray – PAOK 3-1 (3-1)/Baba 48 og, Akgun 75, Icardi 90+5 – Konstantelias 67/Ludogorets – Slavia Praha 0-2 (0-1)/Jurasek 37, Chytil 65/Man Utd – Twente 1-1 (1-0)/Eriksen 35 – Lammers 68/Midtjylland – Hoffenheim 1-1 (1-0)/Osorio 42 – Moerstedt 89/Nice – Sociedad 1-1 (0-1)/Rosari0 45 – Barrenetxea 18/Thursday19:45: (1.60) Fenerbahce (3.90) St.Gilloise (6.00)19:45: (2.40) Malmo (3.45) Rangers (3.15)22:00: (2.00) Ajax (3.60) Besiktas (4.00)22:00: (2.15) Roma (3.45) Ath.Bilbao (3.70)22:00: (1.53) Braga (4.20) Maccabi T.A. (6.25)22:00: (1.35) Eintr.Frankfurt (5.00) Plzen (9.00)22:00: (1.60) FCSB (3.90) Rigas (6.00)22:00: (1.90) Olympique Lyon (3.60) Olympiakos (4.50)22:00: (1.15) Tottenham (8.00) Qarabag (16.0)***odds are subject to change***
