Roma travel to Portugal on Thursday to face Porto in the Europa League knockout playoff round, hoping to salvage a disappointing season. Despite an eight-game unbeaten run in Serie A, the capital club sits ninth in the league table and has struggled to find consistent form.
Their European campaign offers a chance to turn things around, but their past encounters with Porto suggest a tough challenge lies ahead.
A Season of Struggles for Roma
Roma’s season has been filled with instability, including multiple managerial changes. The club started the campaign under Daniele De Rossi, who guided them to a sixth-place finish last season, but he was sacked early in the season, a decision that angered many fans.
His successor, Ivan Juric, did not last long, as poor performances left Roma just four points above the relegation zone. This led to the return of Claudio Ranieri, now in his third spell as Roma’s head coach.
Despite showing some improvement, Roma remain far from the top four in Serie A, making the Europa League their best chance at redemption.
Financial Fair Play and a Quiet Transfer Window
Many Roma supporters were hoping for new signings in January to boost their squad, but the club’s financial fair play restrictions prevented any major moves.
Ranieri expressed frustration over repeated questions about the club’s lack of spending.
“I will tell the president to spend more money, take three or four years of suspension, that way we won’t go to Europe, we won’t go to the Champions League, and we’ll all be happy,” Ranieri sarcastically remarked to Radio Rai after Roma’s 1-0 win over Venezia last weekend.
With limited resources, Roma must rely on their current squad to push forward in the Europa League and potentially secure a return to the Champions League next season.
Roma’s Journey in the Europa League
Roma barely made it through the league phase, needing a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in their final group-stage match to secure a top-24 finish and a place in the knockout playoff round.
Despite their struggles, Roma have had recent European success, reaching at least the Europa League semifinals in three of the last four seasons. Their biggest triumph came in 2021/22, when they won their first-ever European title in the UEFA Conference League under Jose Mourinho.
#UEL pic.twitter.com/kV7dDfTfuP
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 13, 2025
However, history does not favor Roma when it comes to facing Porto. The Portuguese side has eliminated them in their last two European meetings, including the 2018/19 Champions League Round of 16 and the 2016/17 Champions League qualifying rounds.
Porto’s Struggles Give Roma a Chance
While Roma have endured their own challenges, Porto have also been in poor form. The Portuguese club is currently on a five-match winless streak in the Primeira Liga, most recently drawing 1-1 with league leaders Sporting Lisbon.
Despite their domestic struggles, Porto have a strong record in European knockout matches and will be looking to extend their dominance over Roma.
Both teams will be under pressure to secure a first-leg advantage, making this a must-watch encounter in the Europa League knockout stage.
Other Key Europa League Knockout Playoff Fixtures
While Roma’s match against Porto is one of the standout ties, several other exciting fixtures will take place across Europe as teams battle for a place in the last 16.
Ajax Look to Continue Their Resurgence
Ajax, one of the most successful clubs in European history, face Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise as they aim to secure a spot in the next round.
After finishing fifth in the Eredivisie last season, Ajax have regained form and are currently on a six-game winning streak, which has propelled them to the top of the Dutch league.
They are also hoping to end their long wait for another major European trophy, with their last success coming in the 1995 Champions League.
Turkish Giants Set for Tough Tests
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce will take on Anderlecht, while their biggest rivals Galatasaray travel to AZ Alkmaar.
Galatasaray’s Super Lig match against Adana Demispor last weekend was abandoned after their opponents walked off the pitch in protest over a controversial penalty decision. This has led to Fenerbahce accusing Galatasaray of harming Turkish football.
Despite the controversy, Galatasaray remain the only Turkish club to have won a European title, having lifted the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2000. They will now aim to add another trophy to their collection.
Full Europa League Knockout Playoff Round Fixtures (First Legs)
All matches kick off at 8 PM GMT, unless stated otherwise.
- Fenerbahce (TUR) vs. Anderlecht (BEL)
- Ferencvaros (HUN) vs. Viktoria Plzen (CZE) – 5:45 PM GMT
- Midtjylland (DEN) vs. Real Sociedad (ESP)
- Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) vs. Ajax (NED)
- AZ Alkmaar (NED) vs. Galatasaray (TUR)
- Porto (POR) vs. Roma (ITA)
- PAOK (GRE) vs. FCSB (ROM)
- Twente (NED) vs. Bodo/Glimt (NOR)
Conference League Knockout Playoff Round Fixtures (First Legs)
All matches kick off at 8 PM GMT, unless stated otherwise.
- Celje (SLO) vs. Apoel (CYP)
- Molde (NOR) vs. Shamrock Rovers (IRL)
- TSC (SRB) vs. Jagiellonia (POL)
- Vikingur (ISL) vs. Panathinaikos (GRE) – 5:45 PM GMT
- Borac Banja Luka (BIH) vs. Olimpija Ljubljana (SLO)
- FC Copenhagen (DEN) vs. Heidenheim (GER)
- Gent (BEL) vs. Real Betis (ESP)
- Omonia (CYP) vs. Pafos (CYP)
With so many exciting fixtures, the Europa League and Conference League knockout rounds are set to deliver thrilling encounters. Roma will be hoping that European football once again offers them a path to success, while other teams fight for their own chance to progress to the next stage of the competition.
READ NEXT:
