Roma vs. Athletic Bilbao | Europa League | Round of 16 | 1st Leg | Pre Match
Roma vs. Athletic Bilbao
After emerging through a tense playoff to reach the Europa League's last 16, Roma will host Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, setting the stage for the opening leg of an enticing tie that promises drama and intrigue at the Stadio Olimpico. The Giallorossi, a club with a storied history in Italian football, have endured a rollercoaster season marked by managerial upheaval and inconsistent performances, yet they now find themselves on the cusp of a potentially transformative European run. This encounter marks the second meeting between Roma and their Basque counterparts in just five months, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the league phase back in late September—a result that encapsulated the challenges Roma faced in the early stages of their Europa League campaign. That earlier clash saw the Romans take the lead through Artem Dovbyk’s clinical strike before halftime, only for Athletic Bilbao to claw their way back with a late equalizer, a pattern that would come to define Roma’s struggles during the competition’s initial phase. The Stadio Olimpico, a fortress for Roma when the crowd is in full voice, will once again play host to this burgeoning rivalry, and the stakes could not be higher as both teams vie for a place in the quarter-finals. For Roma, this tie represents not just a chance to progress in Europe but also an opportunity to build momentum under interim boss Claudio Ranieri, whose return has injected a sense of stability into a squad desperate for direction.
Roma’s journey to the last 16 has been anything but straightforward, with their Europa League campaign kicking off amid a backdrop of managerial turmoil and early-season struggles in Serie A. The 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao in September was a microcosm of their difficulties—a bright start undone by a failure to close out the game—setting a challenging tone for the league phase that followed. The Giallorossi stumbled through a series of inconsistent results, their attacking flair often undermined by defensive lapses, leaving them teetering on the brink of an early exit. However, the return of club legend Claudio Ranieri as interim manager proved to be a turning point, his steady hand guiding Roma back from the abyss. The defining moment came on the final matchday of the league phase, when Roma produced an impressive 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, a result that showcased their resilience and attacking potential while securing their place in the playoffs. That triumph was followed by a nerve-wracking two-legged playoff against Porto, where a goalless draw in the away leg set up an eventful return fixture at the Olimpico. In that second leg, Roma emerged victorious with a thrilling 3-2 win, illuminated by Paulo Dybala’s brilliant brace, which underscored his importance to the team when fit and firing. Having avoided a daunting last-16 matchup with city rivals Lazio in the draw, Roma now have their sights set on a potential quarter-final clash with either Rangers or a Fenerbahce side managed by their former boss Jose Mourinho—a tantalizing prospect that adds an extra layer of intrigue to their European journey. Ranieri’s men are approaching this tie with renewed confidence, buoyed by their recent form and a growing belief that they can make a deep run in the competition.
Domestically, Roma have turned a corner since the turn of the year, their fortunes in Serie A mirroring their European resurgence under Ranieri’s pragmatic leadership. Unbeaten in the league since January, the Giallorossi have racked up seven wins and two draws in their last 11 matches, a run that has propelled them back into contention for European qualification next season. Their latest victory came on Sunday evening against Como, where Artem Dovbyk’s decisive strike secured a 2-1 win, further cementing his status as Roma’s talisman up top. That result extended their unbeaten streak to 11 league games, a remarkable turnaround from the chaos of the early season, though they still trail sixth-placed Bologna by four points in the race for a top-six finish. Ranieri, who will hand over the reins to a new manager at the end of the campaign, has restored a sense of purpose to a squad that appeared rudderless just months ago, and there is now a palpable sense that Roma have much to play for in the coming weeks. The Europa League offers a chance to cap this interim era with silverware, a prospect that would delight a fanbase still reeling from the club’s failure to capitalize on their 2022 Europa Conference League triumph. As they prepare to face Athletic Bilbao, Roma’s blend of experienced heads and youthful exuberance—coupled with their recent knack for grinding out results—makes them a formidable opponent, particularly on home soil where the Olimpico’s atmosphere can unsettle even the most composed visitors.
Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, arrive in Rome as a team in excellent form, their ambitions in both La Liga and the Europa League burning brightly as they chase glory on two fronts. Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to title hopefuls Atletico Madrid last weekend—a result that snapped their domestic momentum—the Basque side have been one of Spain’s standout performers this season. Recent victories over Girona (3-0) and a resounding 7-0 thrashing of Real Valladolid highlight their attacking potency and defensive solidity under Ernesto Valverde’s astute management. Sitting fourth in the La Liga table, four points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal, Athletic are firmly on course to secure a Champions League spot for next term, a testament to their consistency and quality. Yet, the Europa League holds a special allure for the club, with this year’s final set to be staged at their home ground, San Mames—a tantalizing incentive to go all the way. Athletic’s campaign began with a strong showing in the inaugural league phase, where they finished second, level on points with Lazio and one ahead of Manchester United, thanks in part to a final matchday win over Viktoria Plzen spearheaded by star winger Nico Williams. Williams, who struck the woodwork twice in the loss to Atletico, has been a revelation this season, his pace and trickery terrorizing defenses across Europe. However, Athletic’s recent record in the Europa League’s knockout stages is a cause for concern, with four defeats in their last five such matches suggesting a vulnerability they will be desperate to overcome in Rome. Valverde’s men have won six of their last seven games in the competition proper, but the challenge of facing Roma away from home will test their mettle as they aim to keep their San Mames dream alive.
