Europa League: Roma Announce 20-Man Squad For Second Leg Against United

The Giallorossi face an uphill task in the Italian capital and will need to score at least four goals if they are to overturn United’s significant lead from last week’s memorable game in Manchester.

The Reds ran riot at Old Trafford, netting five times after the break to secure a 6-2 win, while Roma were left counting the cost of the trip after losing several members of their travelling party to injury.

Goalkeeper Pau Lopez, defender Leonardo Spinazzola and midfielder Jordan Veretout all had to be substituted during the first half in M16 and the trio are not available for this game.

Amadou Diawara, Gonzalo Villar and Carles Perez will also be absent due to injury, although captain Lorenzo Pellegrini is included having missed Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Sampdoria to be with his wife as she delivered their second child.

Pedro Rodriguez, who is a dangerous customer as he proved during his time with Barcelona and Chelsea, has returned to the reckoning, as has centre-back Gianluca Mancini after his suspension last week.

Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will once again be afforded the opportunity to impress against the side with which they won the 2017 Europa League, but Roma’s squad is rounded out by youngsters Edoardo Bove, Riccardo Ciervo and Nicola Zalewski, all of whom have yet to make a senior appearance.

It’s been an eventful week for the three-time Serie A champions, who announced on Tuesday morning that head coach Paulo Fonseca would not be continuing in his role beyond this season.

The 48-year-old will be replaced in the Stadio Olimpico hotseat by a familiar face in Jose Mourinho, with the former United, Chelsea and Tottenham boss signing a three-year contract to take charge.

ROMA SQUAD TO FACE UNITED

Goalkeepers: Simone Farelli, Daniel Fuzato, Antonio Mirante
Defenders: Rick Karsdorp, Roger Ibanez, Chris Smalling, Davide Santon, Gianluca Mancini, Marash Kumbulla, Bruno Peres
Midfielders: Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Edoardo Bove, Riccardo Ciervo, Ebrima Darboe, Nicola Zalewski, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Forwards: Edin Dzeko, Pedro Rodriguez, Borja Mayoral