Brighton & Hove Albion will host Roma in the Europa League on Thursday. After losing in the Italian capital last week, the Seagulls are now four goals behind. They are probably going to be eliminated in the round of 16.
Preview (Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Roma)
Due to goals from Roma’s sensational attackers, Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku, Brighton was behind 2-0 at the half at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night, severely lacking in their calm dominance in the Europa League group stage. Before Bryan Cristante’s diving header put the home team up four goals ahead, Gianluca Mancini added a third. If Roberto De Zerbi’s team is to survive this first UEFA competition, a small miracle will need to occur. Brighton has already become the first English team to lose so badly in the knockout stages; but, they need to create even more history to turn the tide: no team has ever advanced after trailing four goals in the first leg of a Europa League match.
With a much-needed victory at the Amex on Sunday afternoon, the European debutants ended their agonizing three-game losing streak on the road, but their chances of making it to the quarterfinals are now minimal. Brighton defeated relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest 1-0 at home to go 12 games unbeaten at home in the Premier League and increase their chances of finishing in the top six this year. The Seagulls are having difficulty ascending to the same heights as the previous season. De Zerbi will be eager to show close friend Daniele De Rossi that his squad is still competitive.
Roma, who have a foot in the quarterfinal draw on Friday. They showed their resilience under new management over the weekend at Stadio Franchi with another late equalizer. Diego Llorente’s injury-time goal saved the Giallorossi a crucial point in their battle for European qualification. After a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, they had won eight of their last 11 games and lost just one since De Rossi assumed leadership.
Team News
Billy Gilmour, a Scottish midfielder who completed his Premier League suspension this past weekend. He is one player Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi may call upon as he attempts to mount an unlikely comeback. Several players will still be sidelined on Thursday. James Milner and Joao Pedro are also out with thigh injuries, along with Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, and Jack Hinshelwood. However, Igor and Julio Enciso should be able to make the bench. In the absence of Joao Pedro, the Seagulls’ leading scorer with six goals in the Europa League this year. Danny Welbeck and Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson will compete for a starting spot up front.
With a commanding lead in the match and an eye towards Sunday’s encounter with Sassuolo, Daniele De Rossi would be inclined to switch up his Roma starting lineup, considering players like Eduardo Bove, Nicola Zalewski, and Massimo Baldanzi. While Rick Karsdorp returns from a knee injury, Paulo Dybala has recovered from his most recent scare. Romelu Lukaku, who needs just one more goal to tie his record of eight goals for Everton in 2014–15, will attempt to break his record for the most goals scored in the Europa League in a single season if he is not rested. Lukaku currently holds third place on the all-time list in UEFA’s second-tier competition after scoring 27 goals overall.
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Roma
For more football previews, click here
