Roma desperate to overturn Feyenoord’s UEL quarterfinal first-leg advantage
AS Roma vs Feyenoord - 20/04/2023
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Feyenoord’s Mats Wieffer scored the only goal of the Europa League quarterfinal first leg against Roma, leading the Rotterdammers to a 1-0 win.
The victory saw Feyenoord exact some revenge on Roma after the Italians defeated the Dutch club in the Europa Conference League final last season. Feyenoord are just one win away from reaching the semifinals of the Europa League.
The winner of the quarterfinal tie between Roma and Feyenoord will face the winner of the tie between Bayer Leverkusen and Union Saint-Gilloise, which is poised at 1-1 after the first leg.
Feyenoord are on a three-match winning streak going into the second leg in Rome. The Rotterdam club defeated Cambuur 3-0 away from home at the weekend to prepare for the fixture. Feyenoord are eight points clear of second-place Ajax in the Eredivisie.
Roma defeated Udinese 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico over the weekend. The Giallorossi are now third in the Serie A standings thanks to a trio of wins.
Jose Mourinho’s team managed 44% possession in the first leg. It was expected that Roma would dig in and park the bus. Still, the Giallorossi tallied 17 shots, yet only three hit the target.
Feyenoord had two shots hit the target while taking 12 shots in total. Neither team was efficient in the final third. If Roma want to overturn the one-goal deficit, they will need to be far more clinical in attack.
Mourinho has a major injury problem going into the game. Leading goalscorer Paulo Dybala is expected to miss the match following a muscle strain. Dybala has 15 goals in all competitions, seven more than the next closest player, Tammy Abraham.
Forward Ola Solbakken will miss the match with a shoulder injury. Roma’s forward options could be compromised without either player.
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot has three players that are fighting for fitness ahead of the second leg. Mimeirhel Benita, Quinten Timber, and Patrik Walemark are all doubts due to leg injuries.
Mexican forward Santiago Gimenez leads Feyenoord in goals with 16 in the Eredivisie and Europa League combined. He should start in the centre of a front three on Thursday.
Roma will have the benefit of playing at home. The Giallorossi have a 15W-1D-6L record at the Stadio Olimpico.
Mourinho has masterminded comebacks in European competition before and could do it once more. Feyenoord can expect a hostile crowd in Rome.
The Giallorossi should complete a comeback to win the second leg 2-1. The score would mean the tie is level 2-2 on aggregate, forcing the teams into extra time.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UEL
413227
1
2 - 1
2.65
14°
1.91
1.91
3.40
4.20
no
no
no
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