Ranieri Faces Challenges as Roma Hosts Porto in Europa League Clash

ROMA, Italy — AS Roma prepares to host FC Porto for the second leg of their Europa League playoff on February 20, 2025, at 6:45 PM local time, following a 1-1 draw in the first match.

In the first leg played at Estádio do Dragão, Roma’s Celik scored before Porto’s Moura equalized in the second half. The match witnessed a heated atmosphere post-game due to controversial officiating, which left Roma down a man after Cristante’s red card.

Head coach Claudio Ranieri faces a tough challenge as he will be without forward Artem Dovbyk, who is sidelined with an adductor strain. Shomurodov is expected to take his place in the starting lineup. Additionally, both Saelemaekers and Cristante are unavailable due to suspensions, pushing Pellegrini into a potential starting role.

“We need to break this Porto barrier and advance in the tournament. Each player must step up,” Ranieri stated during a press conference.

Roma comes off a recent victory against Parma in Serie A, boosting their morale ahead of this critical European fixture. “Winning is crucial for our confidence; we must carry that momentum into this match against Porto,” added Dybala, who is returning to the first XI.

For the match against Porto, Ranieri is set to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, featuring Svilar in goal; a defensive trio of Celik, Mancini, and Ndicka; and a midfield of El Shaarawy, Konè, Paredes, and Angelino. Dybala and Pellegrini are expected to support Shomurodov in the attack.

Porto, managed by Anselmi, is also looking to secure their progression after a narrow win against Farense in their domestic league. They are anticipated to start with a 3-5-2 setup, featuring Diogo Costa; a defensive line of Djalò, Perez, and Otavio; a midfield strengthened by Joao Mario and Fabio Vieira; and forwards Pepe and Moura, who scored in the first leg.

The match will be officiated by French referee Letexier, with support from assistant referees Mugnier and Rahmouni. The winner will face Athletic Bilbao in the next round if the scores are level at 90 minutes, with potential extra time and penalties to follow.

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Uno and Sky Sport and available for streaming on the Now platform. Anticipating high demand, safety measures are being reinforced in Rome, especially with expectations of many visiting Porto fans. The city is preparing extensively due to previous incidents involving tension between rival fan groups.

The Stadio Olimpico is expected to see a vibrant atmosphere, though it will be partially closed following earlier disturbances involving local supporters. “We aim for a safe and enjoyable environment for all fans,” a police spokesperson said, as they finalize security measures.