Roma is coming off a 3-0 victory over Brescia on Sunday night in Rome after the conclusion of the international break. As they grab some momentum and confidence ahead of one of their most important matches of the season. Roma is forced into a must-win match on Thursday night during American Thanksgiving. They travel to Turkey to face Istanbul başakşehir for the second time in their Europa League group. After being robbed out of points against Borussia and losing to them last time out it puts them in a desperate situation. During the first meeting against Istanbul başakşehir at the Stadio Olimpico Roma ripped them apart in what was a 4-0 victory. This will not be the same situation going to Turkey is never an easy game regardless of the quality that exists on the other side. Roma has the opportunity to jump over them with a victory they must get three points without it there chance of qualifying goes out the window. It will be the Cengiz Under Derby on Thursday as the Turkish Superstar gets a crack against his old team in a stadium that he once called home. The Winger joined Roma in 2017 for 13.5 million after playing two seasons with Istanbul başakşehir This is a hugely important game for Roma they have no choice it’s a must-win anything less is unacceptable. If Roma can grab momentum they can have a legit shot of winning the Europa League but to do that they need to fight through a tough environment in Europe. Roma does have more quality and have beaten them already this season will we see something different? Or will it be much of the same that we saw in the first meeting? We will find all that out and more when Roma head to Turkey for a must-win game against Istanbul başakşehir in the Europa League.
A.S Roma
Roma as always it should come out of their typical 4-2-3-1 formation ahead of this must-win match. There’s a growing belief that we should see more or less the same line up with maybe just a few changes. As always Roma’s goalkeeper Pau Lopez. In Roma’s backline, I wouldn’t make many changes as they performed quite well over the weekend. However, I think a few changes are in order. Kolarov has a lot of miles on his legs and could use a rest as the Inter Milan match is rapidly approaching. At left-back, we should see Leonardo Spinazzola. I would start set a Federico Fazio next to Chris Smalling then beside him put Roma Captain Alessandro Florenzi. In Roma’s defensive Midfield they should go with Jordan Veretout and Gianluca Mancini returning to the defensive Midfield just for this match. Diawara has just returned to the team and I think he is suited a better coming off the bench in this match given it’s coming off the bench in this match given its importance. In the attacking Midfield patrolling the central position should be Lorenzo Pellegrini who has just returned from injury. Despite the fact in his it would be only his second game back he changes the dynamic of the team so it makes the most sense to keep him installed in the starting lineup. On the wings, we should see Nicolo Zaniolo and the Turkish star Cengiz Under will get an opportunity to start against his former team. Justin kluivert may make the start but given the fact that Nicolo Zaniolo has been suspended for his game over the weekend, kluivert will have the opportunity to start in that game. It’s a really complex situation because of the pace that he has but given how hot then Nicolo Zaniolo has been in this competition he must get quality minutes in this match. then upfront as the main Striker will be Edin Dzeko coming off a game in which he scored he will be ready and willing for the challenge. Roma will have quality options Off the Bench with Alex Kolarov, Diawara, and Justin kluivert.
Istanbul Basaksehir
Istanbul much like Roma prefers the 4-2-3-1 formation. They have almost exclusively used the same setup all season. They did not start particularly well this season after nearly winning the title last season however they have gotten themselves back on track as they stand in 3rd just two points from the top. They are a team that is capable of putting out a very strong side with some key players who have done really well in Europe other than their first meeting against Roma at the Olimpico. In goal will be Gunok. The backline will consist of former Manchester City Star Cilchy, a center-back partnership of Skurtal and Epureneu then at right-back will be the Brazilian Junior. Into the defensive of Midfield, we can expect Topal and Cekademir. Then in the attacking Midfield should be Aleksic then on the wing will be former European star Robino and Edin Visca who is the leader of this team. Then upfront, as the main striker is likely to be Crivelle. A relatively strong team that may have its difficulties but what happens in this game will be solely on the shoulders of Edin Visca who has already scored twice in the group stage.
Bottom Line
Roma must find a way to win this game they are playing qualification this week and if they don’t get it done the chances of qualifying become significantly more difficult. Roma is significantly the better team as we have seen in the first meeting. However, playing a football match in Turkey it’s a different dynamic. The fans are crazy and the atmosphere is intense. It can sometimes take only a certain type of personality to thrive under those circumstances. The impact of the atmosphere almost is the biggest factor in the entire match. We saw the last time these two teams played Roma ripped apart Istanbul. Even though it was a slow start in that match it was one-way traffic pretty much all the way through. The desperation of Roma needing a victory may play in the advantage of the hosts. Istanbul does not have a superstar or the quality that Roma does. Despite this, they can try to use defensive tactics to get a point. Istanbul does not need all three points even though I assume they will try to get it done it is not as necessary as it is for Roma. Again the player that they can truly rely on is Edin visa if he can get going early in this match and give the hosts an early goal in hostile territory it will make things significantly difficult on Roma who absolutely needs to win this game. Istanbul is good enough to get a result They have enough quality and experience to get the job done. They have done very well so far not only in Turkey but in Europe, there’s A chance for them to win this group which is why I believe we will see an energized Turkish side who is ready for anything that Roma will throw at them. Going into this group they looked like they were going to be the biggest challenge for Roma even though they dominated them in the first match in their own backyard they will have a chance to do something against a much stronger side. Meanwhile, for Roma the job is a simple win at all costs no matter what happens in this game Roma needs to leave turkey with three points without this they will lose hope to qualify for the Knockout rounds. Roma still even have a chance to win this group. They can easily pick up six points in their final two games. After this match an after this match, they will be back at home for the final match of the group stage. This gives them a fantastic opportunity to win this group Cengiz might be the key in the match not just because of what he presents as an explosive option on the outside but he can thrive in these situations because he played in Turkish football and for this team. He will be more willing to adapt to the situation than others. I don’t believe it will be a problem dealing with the atmosphere but it’s not an easy thing to take especially if you’re not used to it. Under is used to it and has played in the stadium a lot. Roma has enough depth and quality in their bench and their lineup to recreate the damage they did on this team during the match that one. With Lorenzo Pellegrini back into the team With explosive options of Under and Nicolo zaniolo with potentially Justin kluivert on the bench they have more pace and athleticism that this Turkish team will be able to deal with. Simply put there is no excuse for losing this game they have everything they need to pick up three points and this isn’t a choice they must leave turkey on Thanksgiving with three points collected. Roma coming off a victory and are starting to feel that momentum again they are a confident team with energy and have played exceptionally well not only attacking wise but defensively. The biggest threat is what they can offer in the backline with Mancini and Chris Smalling they are both goal-scoring attacking players who can get into situations in which they can score goals. Gianluca Mancini is likely to play in the defensive Midfield in this game because it is my expectation that Federico Fazio will play to give them side but they have everything they need in this team and in this system to cause major damage on top of that edin Dzeko is coming off a really good performance on the weekend and if he is given service they got no chance in this game. This may be a little closer than people expect but I think Paulo Fonseca and this Roma team understands what needs to be done in a hostile environment or Roma will find a way to collect all three points to keep their European Journey alive there are no excuses Roma must do whatever it takes and I believe they will get the job done.
Roma’s Projected starting XI 4-2-3-1
GK: Pau Lopez
DEF: Leo Spinazzola, Federico Fazio, Chris Smalling, Alessandro Florenzi
DEF MID: Jordan Veretout, Gianluca Mancini
ATT MID: Cengiz Under, Nicolo Zaniolo, Lorenzo Pellegrini
Striker: Edin Dzeko
Manager: Paulo Fonseca
Istanbul Başakşehir’s Projected starting XI 4-3-2-1
GK: Günok
DEF:Júnior Caicara ,Skrtel ,Epureanu,Clichy
DEFMID: Tekdemir, Topal
ATT MID: Visca,Aleksic,Robinho
Striker: Crivelli
Manager:Okan Buruk
Players to Watch
Cengiz Under and Edin Visca
Date: Thursday Novermeber 28th
Venue:Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium
Kickoff: 11:55AM (USA) 5:55PM (ENG), 6:55PM (ITA)
TV Broadcast: Sky Italia, ESPN+
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