Serie A | Gameweek 28

Mar 9, 2025 at 5pm UK

Stadio Carlo Castellani

Empoli vs Roma

Match preview

After scoring in recent matches against Napoli and Monza, Roma full-back Angelino was on target again on Thursday night as the capital club turned the first leg of their latest Europa League tie on its head.

With Athletic Bilbao trailing on the hour mark, the Spanish star pulled his side level before substitute Eldor Shomurodov's last-gasp winner against a tiring 10-man side.

The result leaves Roma with the most wins in the history of UEFA's second-tier club competition - 97 in 185 games - and they will travel to the Basque country next week.

Also unbeaten in Serie A this year, the Giallorossi overcame Como last Sunday, Artem Dovbyk scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory to extend their unbeaten run to 11 league games.

Since Claudio Ranieri's return to the club in November, only leaders Inter Milan have won more games in all competitions, and Roma have already won 10 times this calendar year.

Back in his home town, Ranieri arrived as interim coach when Ivan Juric followed club legend Daniele De Rossi out the door amid a thoroughly dismal start to the season.

The latter's sacking came shortly after the Giallorossi lost 1-0 to Empoli in Rome. However, they have won eight of their last ten league games against Empoli, including a 7-0 thrashing last season.

That was the heaviest defeat in Empoli's entire Serie A history, but the Azzurri came out on top when the two sides last met at the Stadio Castellani on the final day of the 2023-24 season.

Needing a win to avoid relegation, a last-gasp strike secured a vital 2-1 victory and they survived by the skin of their teeth. Almost a year on, the Tuscan club are once again in danger of relegation after a disastrous run of results.

Alberto Grassi's first Serie A goal of 2019 was not enough to secure maximum points at Genoa last time out, as Empoli conceded a late goal to keep them in the bottom three.

Roberto D'Aversa's side had previously been thrashed 5-0 by Atalanta BC in a run of four league defeats by an aggregate score of 14-1, so at least they stopped the rot in Liguria.

The only ray of hope amid the gloom was last week's shock penalty shootout win over Juventus in the Coppa Italia, which set up Empoli's first ever cup semi-final.

They will play Bologna over two legs in April - with the winners meeting one of the two Milan clubs in Rome - but first there is the matter of survival.

Recent Performance

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Roma Serie A form:WDWWWW

Roma form (all competitions):DWWWWW

Team News

Roma's top scorer Artem Dovbyk celebrated his return from injury with back-to-back goals, but it remains to be seen whether he will be rested on Sunday night with a trip to Bilbao next week in mind.

Claudio Ranieri is set to make a number of changes to his squad, although young striker Tommaso Baldanzi will be hoping for a starting berth on his return to his former club. He will be up against Stephan El Shaarawy, Matias Soule, Nicolo Pisilli and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini for selection.

While Leandro Paredes returns after serving a one-match UEFA ban, Gianluca Mancini is suspended, meaning Ranieri could consider a rare start for out-of-favour Mats Hummels.

Meanwhile, Empoli's injury list remains long, with five long-term absentees. Defensive duo Mattia Viti and Ardian Ismajli are also out, while Tino Anjorin and Jacopo Fazzini remain doubts.

Once again, Marco Silvestri and Devis Vasquez will battle it out in goal, with the former first-choice likely to return after Silvestri's late error cost the Tuscans two points in Genoa.

Possible starting lineup

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, Pezzella; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Maleh, Cacace; Esposito, Colombo

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Rensch, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Soule, Pellegrini; Shomurodov