Cristante to replace suspended Paredes vs Athletic | OneFootball

Decisive matches are won not only with quality, but also with experience and personality.

For this reason, in the difficult match against Athletic Bilbao, Claudio Ranieri will rely on his leaders on the pitch: Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante and Paulo Dybala, writes La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Three key players, one for each department, who will have the task of leading the team towards a positive result in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16.

In defense, Mancini will be called upon to perform a very careful test.

Coming off some excellent performances, he will return to occupying the position in the center of Roma’s backline, with the task of containing Guruzeta, the Basques’ striker.

Alongside him will be Ndicka and Celik, with the Turkish defender who will do everything to be there and try to limit the talent of Nico Williams.

In midfield, with Leandro Paredes suspended, the responsibility of directing the team will fall to Bryan Cristante.

The midfielder will be essential to give rhythm and balance to the team, trying to break the pressing of the Spaniards and set up the action with precision.

Finally, in attack, Roma will rely on its most talented player: Paulo Dybala.

The Argentine, in an extraordinary moment of form, will reach 30 European appearances with the Giallorossi shirt and will have the task of igniting the offensive maneuver. If there is a player capable of deciding the match with a play, it is him.