Roma Ready to Bounce Back Against Viktoria Plzen in Europa League

MILANO, Italy — As the Europa League nears its critical phase, AS Roma is preparing to face Viktoria Plzen on Thursday, following a tough domestic match against Inter Milan. The game, set to kick off at 21:00 local time, offers Roma a chance to regain momentum after a close loss in Serie A.

During training this week, Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini emphasized the need for his team to maintain focus. “We need to win; the group is tough, and we must improve our standing in the competition,” he said. The team has collected three points from previous matches, winning one and losing another. With five games left in a tightly contested group, every point is crucial.

In training sessions at Trigoria, players like Leon Bailey have displayed significant improvement after recovering from injury, gearing up to enhance Roma’s attacking options. Gasperini mentioned, “Bailey brings different attributes to our attack. He’s quick and versatile, and I believe he can help us score more goals,” expressing optimism about his contributions against the Czech side.

The match will see several shifts in the lineup, including the potential return of El Shaarawy and new strategies in offensive play. Gasperini is considering using Paulo Dybala in a central role, alongside new talents like Dovbyk and Ferguson, to provide fresh energy in the attacking front.

The fixture will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Uno and Sky Sport 252, as well as via streaming services. Gasperini noted the importance of this match not only for the standings but for building team confidence moving forward. “We have to show we can compete, regardless of the opponent’s name. The quality in Europe is high, and there are no easy matches,” he cautioned.

As the kickoff approaches, fans remain hopeful that the team will overcome their recent struggles and display the heart and fight characteristic of AS Roma.