2020-21 UEFA Europa League – Roma vs CFR Cluj Preview

20:49 05/11/2020

Date of the match: Thursday 5th November, 2020 – 17:55 (UK)

Stadium match: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Roma possible starting lineup:

Lopez; Fazio, Ibanez, Jesus; Peres, Cristante, Villar, Spinazzola; Mkhitaryan, Pedro; Mayoral

CFR Cluj possible starting lineup:

Balgradean; Susic, Vinicius, Burca, Camora; Hoban, Djokovic; Rondon, Paun, Deac; Debeljuh

Roma winger - and Europa League regular so far - Carles Perez has suffered a left thigh strain and is now likely to miss Thursday's encounter, along with Amadou Diawara and defender Davide Santon.

Coach Fonseca is also without the suspended Gianluca Mancini for this game, with Chris Smalling likely to be rested too, so Marash Kumbulla will step into defence alongside Brazilian centre-back Roger Ibanez.

Borja Mayoral is again set to lead the line, with Edin Dzeko available on the bench in event of emergencies.

Cluj coach Petrescu has a near fully-fit squad to choose from, having rotated heavily for their weekend reverse in the Romanian league.

Former Anderlecht forward Alexandru Chipciu can be utilised as a 'false nine', but Croatian striker Gabriel Debeljuh - who has had Italian experience with Piacenza in the past - is favoured to start up front in a 4-2-3-1.

A back-to-back goalscorer in Europe, well-travelled veteran Mario Rondon will start behind Debeljuh, while talented ex-Marseille man Billel Omrani can provide a second-half threat from the bench.