Challenge information
When do you play? Thursday 5th May 2022
Kick-off time? 21:00
Where is it played ? Olympic Stadium (Rome)
TV channel: TV8, Dazn and Sky Sport Uno
Roma-Leicester: match presentation and prediction
Lorenzo Pellegrini’s goal in the 15th minute, on an assist from the excellent Zalewski, had given Roma the momentary advantage on the Leicester pitch. The English team, however, made the match for the other 75 ‘and at 67′ found a draw at the end of a good choral action, which led to Mancini’s own goal. The draw in the first leg in England requires both teams to play to win, also because with the draw, regardless of the number of goals scored, the match would last at least into extra time. Josè Mourinho already from the post game of the first leg made an appointment for the return match, highlighting how the Olimpico, which will be packed, will play a non-secondary role. The goal of the Giallorossi is the final in Tirana and, to get it, all that matters is winning.
Roma are giving everything in Europe so much so that the recent results in the league confirm this. Two points collected in the last three games, with the 0-0 against Bologna on Sunday evening with a lot of turnover of the Special One. Roma are fifth on par with Lazio at 59 points, with Fiorentina and Atalanta chasing at 56. Situation in some ways similar for Leicester, who have only won two games – one with PSV, the other with Crystal Palace – in the last nine between the league and the Cup, so much so that the KO with Tottenham over the weekend has made Brendan Rodgers’ team slide to eleventh place with 42 points, +8 from the relegation zone and -10 from seventh place that would be worth the access to next year’s Conference League. To stay in Europe.
The game in detail
As for the probable formations, José Mourinho has very few doubts and only one absent because Mkhitaryan, who got hurt in the first leg match – injury to his right thigh -, will have to stay still for at least another week, so much so that the goal is to recover it for the eventual final. In goal there will be Rui Patricio, while Mancini, Smalling and Ibanez are the three central defense. Karsdorp and Zalewski are back as owners while Cristante and Oliveira make up the duo in the median. On the trocar, Lorenzo Pellegrini is hunting for another goal in Europe – 5 goals in 10 Conference matches this year – while forward it will be up to Zaniolo and Abraham to drag the team into a really complicated match.
Brendan Rodgers could also fully confirm the eleven who took the field in the first leg even if the only doubt concerns Castagne, who went out prematurely during the first fraction. In goal there is Schmeichel, Pereira and the former Atalanta are the two owners even if, as mentioned, Castagne could be replaced by Soyuncu, with Evans and Fofana in the center. Dewsbury-Hall and Tielemans confirmed in the middle of the field while the three on the back will be Lookman and Albrighton – or Barnes – with Maddison behind the only striker who is Jamie Vardy. But be careful because Rodgers’ long bench could make the difference: Iheanacho and Daka, as well as Perez, Soumare and Thomas are really important options for a team that dreams of the first European final in its history.