Roma are preparing to face French opposition for the second week running, fresh from their 2-1 victory over Nice at the Allianz Riviera that marked a record-equalling 98th Europa League win for the club.
New coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who famously led Atalanta to continental glory in 2024, enjoyed a winning return to UEFA’s second-tier competition as goals from defenders Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini got his Roma reign off to a perfect European start, although Mancini also saw another effort ruled out.
That victory came on the back of their Derby della Capitale triumph over Lazio, and the Giallorossi quickly extended their fine run by beating Hellas Verona at the weekend, with Artem Dovbyk and Matias Soule on the scoresheet. Since Gasperini replaced club icon Claudio Ranieri, Roma have won five of six matches, conceding only twice, and currently sit level on points with AC Milan and Napoli at the top end of Serie A.
History is also on their side: despite a shaky opening to the 2024-25 campaign, Roma are unbeaten in their last six European home fixtures and have won 75% of their Europa League games at the Stadio Olimpico.
Their next opponents, Lille, also come into the contest with strong pedigree. Last season, Les Dogues matched Roma’s fifth-place domestic finish and impressed in the Champions League, famously defeating both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the group stage. Bruno Genesio’s men carried that momentum into the Europa League, edging Brann 2-1 in their opening fixture thanks to goals from Hamza Igamane and veteran striker Olivier Giroud.
Giroud, who came off the bench to net the late winner, made history as the oldest substitute to score in the Europa League. By the time he lines up in Rome, he will be just shy of his 39th birthday. Lille have won four of their first seven matches this season, scoring 15 times, and remain one of Ligue 1’s most dangerous attacking sides. However, they stumbled at the weekend, failing to break down Lyon’s league-best defence in a heated 1-0 defeat that also saw Genesio sent to the stands.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Roma will once again be without Paulo Dybala and Leon Bailey, both still recovering from injuries. Dybala is edging closer to a return and could feature this weekend, while Bailey is not expected back until after the international break.
With Tommaso Baldanzi absent from the club’s UEFA squad list, Matias Soule is likely to continue on the right flank of an attacking trio, which should be spearheaded by either Artem Dovbyk or Evan Ferguson.
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini may also look to shuffle his pack ahead of Sunday’s Serie A clash with Fiorentina. Wing-backs Devyne Rensch and Kostas Tsimikas are both in contention to start on the flanks as part of the rotation.
On the opposite side, Lille boss Bruno Genesio is equally familiar with rotating his squad, having made six changes for their Europa League opener against Brann. He too must cope with a lengthy absentee list: midfielder Benjamin Andre, defenders Thomas Meunier, Romain Perraud and Alexsandro, plus first-choice goalkeeper Berke Ozer are all sidelined.
Up front, Olivier Giroud remains a key figure despite entering his 40th year. The veteran striker boasts 17 Europa League goals, including his golden boot-winning tally when Chelsea lifted the trophy in 2019.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Hermoso, Mancini, Ndicka; Rensch, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Tsimikas; Soule, El Shaarawy; Ferguson
Lille possible starting lineup:
Bodart; Santos, Ngoy, Mbemba, Verdonk; Bentaleb, Bouaddi; Fernandez-Pardo, Haraldsson, Sahraoui; Giroud
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Roma 1-0 Lille
