Football Italia
·14 March 2024
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·14 March 2024
Roma and coach Daniele De Rossi might have to do without both Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala for the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Brighton on Thursday evening.
The Giallorossi may feel as though they already have one foot in the quarter-finals thanks to last week’s statement 4-0 victory over Roberto De Zerbi’s side at the Stadio Olimpico, but they still have to endure another 90 minutes at the Amex Stadium.
Roma will be without Chris Smalling, Rasmus Kristensen, Renato Sanches and Tammy Abraham through injuries of varying severity.
Lukaku trained separately from the rest of the team in the build-up to Thursday’s game against Brighton and therefore is not expected to start.
Dybala was forced off early during Roma’s 2-2 draw with Fiorentina in Serie A on Sunday, and so he is also a doubt heading into the Brighton game.
There could instead be opportunities for Tommaso Baldanzi to start in attack and Sardar Azmoun in the centre-forward role. Nicola Zalewski could also start on the wing in order to give a rest to Stephan El Shaarawy.
De Zerbi also has injury concerns to deal with as first-choice wingers Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma remain out. There could be a place in the defensive line for former Fiorentina defender Igor, who has started in all three of Brighton’s most recent Europa League matches.