In the first leg between these two teams, Roma won 2-1, with a goal in the 90th minute sealing the victory. Claudio Ranieri’s team has continued to play well, going eight games without a loss and winning seven of them.
Roma moved up to seventh place in Serie A after defeating Empoli 1-0 over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao’s form has slipped, with no wins in their last three games. In their most recent match, the Spanish team drew 1-1 at home against Mallorca after losing the first leg.
Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma History
With just one victory in the last three meetings between the two teams—the other two ended in draws—AS Roma has a tiny advantage over Athletic Club.
In their ten home games against Italian teams in all competitions, Athletic Bilbao has won eight of them; their lone loss occurred against Torino in February 2015.
The ‘i giallorossi’ had only won two of their last 12 road games in the competition, following back-to-back wins over Spanish opponents in the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League season.
In the UEFA Europa League, Athletic Club has won their past four home games, marking their longest winning streak in a major European competition since 1997.
Injury situation for both the teams
Yeray Alvarez, a center-back for Athletic Club, was sent off and now has to serve a suspension after the team lost crucial defender Dani Vivian to injury in the first half of last week’s first leg. Thus, Unai Nunez and Aitor Paredes might form a new-look back four.
Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta returns from a one-match domestic ban, but Ernesto Valverde will also be without Oihan Sancet (thigh) and Alvaro Djalo (ankle), who are both still not fully trained.
Gorka Guruzeta and Maroan Sannadi are hoping to join Inaki Williams, who will once again start in the attack with younger brother Nico Williams.
Claudio Ranieri is expected to make a number of changes to the “Yellow and Reds” team that began in Empoli, including the return of players like Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, and Angelino.
Leandro Paredes received a one-match UEFA ban last week, while Gianluca Mancini was suspended for that game; both players are now eligible.
Due to Zeki Celik’s thigh injury, Devyne Rensch may be used in the Giallorossi’s back three. Or they would keep either Victor Nelsson or Mats Hummels.
Expected Lineups
Athletic Club Lineup: Simon, de Marcos, Paredes, Nunez, Berchiche, Jauregizar, de Galarreta, Williams, Gomez, Williams, Sannadi
Roma Expected Lineup: Svilar, N’Dicka, Mancini, Hummels, Angelino, Cristante, Pisilli, Rensch, Dybala, Pellegrini, Dovbyk
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