A compelling clash awaits in the knockout round playoffs of the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League as Feyenoord welcome Roma in the first leg
Dutch Eredivisie champions Feyenoord, face the Italian capital side for the third consecutive season as a continental rivalry brews between both clubs.
Roma won big in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League final against Feyenoord in 2022. They met again in the Europa League quarterfinal last season, which Jose Mourinho’s side won 4-2 on aggregate.
Although the Dutchmen would be looking forward to welcoming their counterparts to De Kuip where they were victorious last season.
Feyenoord have been lauded for their energetic and attacking playing style. Arne Slot’s men emerged as one of the most exciting European sides after leading them to that Conference League final in his first season, then lifted the league title the following year.
The Club of the People began their league campaign with successive draws but they picked up with a 6-1 win at home to Almere City then dispatched Utrecht and Heerenveen 5-1 and 6-1, respectively.
This kickstarted a run of seven straight league victories until a 2-1 defeat against Twente. Another defeat to runaway leaders PSV has proved fatal to their title defence as Feyenoord finds ten points behind their rivals during the winter break.
The UEFA Champions League campaign pitched Feyenoord against Atletico Madrid, Celtic and Lazio but a failure to pick up any point away from home ended their group stage campaign in third place and a spot in the preliminary round of the Europa League.
Feyenoord renewed familiarities with the Romans who would happily send them packing from Europe entirely. Having lost last season’s final on penalties, Mourinho’s side are desperate to lift another European Cup and their experience is a decisive factor.
Roma started their season without a win in three matches until the 7-0 win over Empoli. Their form continued to dwindle with three wins out of the next six matches. The capital side went unbeaten in five league games until a 2-0 reverse at Bologna.
True to their form, there was a stunning win over defending champions Napoli but Roma lost the following game at Juventus to close out 2023. The New Year began unbeaten for Mourinho’s side but they will be wary of tough battles ahead.
Meanwhile, it was business as usual in the Europa League with three wins on the trot. A 2-0 defeat at Slavia Praha ultimately cost them the leading spot in Group G as they advanced as runners-up.
The Giallorossi will be conditioned to perform in the continental competition regardless of their results in Serie A. They are currently four points behind the top four and would also be eyeing the automatic UCL spot for European champions.
It is thus pertinent that the Italians are at their best to outwit the devastating Dutchmen. Thankfully, they could play for a result on away soil and look to win the tie in front of their home crowd a week later.
Match tickets
This game takes place at De Kuip and is scheduled to kick off at 5:45 PM UK time on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Match tickets are available for sale on each club’s website and via UEFA channels.
A total of over 51,000 should be expected in the stadium so it is set to be an electric atmosphere for both sets of fans. Feyenoord’s only European wins have come at home and Roma will be desperate to get a result here, meaning the traveling fans will be well-represented.
Any supporters looking to cop late tickets for the game may be unlikely to buy them on the sold-out official sources, hence, they may be lucky enough to find Feyenoord vs Roma tickets on a ticket resale site.
Team news
Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Ramiz Zerrouki, Ayase Ueda and Yankuba Minteh are on international duty and should hopefully be back for this game. The Rotterdammers would hope they are fit and healthy to compete against Roma.
The Italians are also dealing with absences as Tammy Abraham remains about a month away from returning from a severe knee injury, while Chris Smalling is out due to a hamstring injury.
Houssem Aouar, Sardar Azmoun and Evan N’Dicka have been away with their national teams so their returns are unknown. Roma can be more forthcoming on the availability of Renato Sanches and Marash Kumbulla who are expected to have returned to the matchday squad.
Line-ups
Santiago Gimenez is one to keep an eye on having netted 20 times in 22 matches so far for the Dutch champions. The striker would look to get on the scoresheet to help his team overcome the experienced opponents. He must be at his best against Roma’s three-man defence.
Barring injuries, expect the regular faces in the Feyenoord line-up.
Feyenoord: Bijlow; Geertruida, Beelen, Hancko, Hartman; Zerrouki, Timber; Paixão, Stengs, Ivanusec; Giménez
Roma has a solid unit they would depend on to do the job in this crucial match. They will be planning the classic counterattacking game against a dynamic attacking side.
Although they are likely to concede goals, their big-game understanding cannot be questioned so the selected team will perform in a spirited performance.
Roma: Patricio; Çelik, Mancini, Llorente; Nissen, Cristante, Paredes, Bove, Zalewski; Dybala, Lukaku
Prediction
As shown in each of their most recent European encounters, games between Feyenoord and Roma are decided by small margins and this would not be any different. Last season’s quarterfinal went all the way to extra time and penalties, which might be the case again.
This first leg is, hence, each team’s opportunity to lay down a marker for the tie. Who wants it more or who would play the waiting game? It would be a fascinating tactical battle and the physical challenges could also be critical.
Feyenoord 1-1 Roma