FC Porto vs Roma: Preview, Absences, and Predicted Line-ups

 

The moment has arrived! FC Harbor will take on AS Roma this Thursday at 20:00 at the Estádio do Dragão. This matchup is one of the most anticipated in the UEFA Europa League playoffs, as both teams missed out on direct qualification for the next round.

Looking at the Portuguese side, the Dragons come into this clash after two consecutive draws in Liga Portugal Betclic. Under the guidance of Martín Anselmi, who replaced Vítor Bruno, the team is still searching for the right form to start a winning streak. Despite a goalless draw against Sporting, the performance hinted at a tactical shift in the blue and white setup.

The switch to a three-centre-back formation has been key to this evolution. Porto’s players are slowly adjusting to new routines, which raises questions about the starting lineup for tonight’s European battle. Otávio Ataíde, one of the few left-footed centre-backs, is pushing for a starting spot, while Gonçalo Borges and Pepê have been rotating in the attacking positions.

On the flip side, Roma boasts a squad full of talent but is far from its best. Claudio Ranieri, the third manager of the season after Ivan Juric and Daniele De Rossi, is striving to steer the team out of a negative run. Roma has already been knocked out of the Coppa Italia and currently sits ninth in Serie A, though they did secure a win over Venezia last weekend.

Roma’s key players include Artem Dovbyk, who has scored 13 goals, and Paulo Dybala, a seasoned professional with extensive international experience. That said, Roma has depth in every position.

Historically, the odds favor FC Porto, as they’ve only lost one of their six encounters with Roma. In 2019, under Sérgio Conceição, Porto was defeated at the Stadio Olimpico but made a remarkable comeback to progress in the tie. Who will take the upper hand and begin this playoff round with a win?