Roma-Porto: the eighth-finals are the goal, we start again from the first-leg draw, formations and TV times

Rome 19 February 2025 – Another great night of football will be needed, but the Roma has all the credentials to achieve the Lazio in the round of 16 and who knows, treat themselves to a European-style derby. Tomorrow the Capitoline team will face a complicated play-off return round, but with the push of the Olimpico on their side in search of another great season in the continental cups. The Capital is receiving the Harbour to play his own chances of getting as far as possible in this Europe League, but to do so they will have to survive a night in the Colosseum of Italian football. Kick-off for this second leg of the play-offs for the round of 18 is set for 45:19 on Thursday 2025 February 1. In the first leg played in Portugal, the two teams drew 1-XNUMX, leaving the verdict completely postponed to this match. 

Burned by the first leg draw, not so much for having seen the initial lead recovered, but for how it came about. Harbour he was in fact able to take advantage of the expulsion of Crystalline, which came about halfway through the second half with two yellow cards less than 10 minutes apart. Among these was the equaliser by Moura. The numerical inferiority has made him angry Ranieri because he did not allow his team to counterattack in the final, forcing the Capitoline team to defend themselves strenuously in the final part of the match. The anger of Ranieri in the post-match he sparked controversy in the confrontation with the referee Stieler and of the designer rosette, according to the coach not up to this specific challenge. Now however the home advantage is reversed and the Giallorossi after having survived a incandescent Estadio Do Dragao, will be able to make the most of the weight of the Olimpico, already the scene of great successes in this European campaign. The last victory in chronological order was againstEintracht Frankfurt on the last day of the championship phase, a match without which the three points would have meant that we would not even have reached this point. 

Il Harbour but he won't play the role of the sacrificial victim and is ready to ruin the Roman party at the Olimpico. A team capable of suffering and reacting, the formation of Martin Anselmi continues not to shine in the championship either, but over the weekend it celebrated a precious success that brought it back to second place alone. Against Farense penultimate however the Portuguese dragons struggled a lot to get the three points. Despite the technical and also moral gap between the parties on the field, only one goal margin for a final 0-1, where moreover the Harbour failed to crush the modest rivals as they should, these are important signals. Of course, the Argentine coach of the white and blues has opted for different rotations and in parallel this victory against Farense, the one against the is valid Parma of the Giallorossi, but the technical dominance on the field was not comparable. But be careful of reactions of pride, because a historically winning team like the Portuguese one is, will hardly give up its ambitions easily. 

Also in response to the controversy of Ranieri, rosette , Uefa they chose french François Letexier for the direction of the match at the Olimpico between Roma e Harbour. An all-French refereeing team for the match, with the referee supported by assistants Cyrul Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni. The fourth official is Mathieu Vernice, while the VAR room will be occupied by Willy Delajod and Benoit Millot. Referee of the Euro 2024 final, this will be his 18th refereeing of the season, his first in Europa League, after having directed 8 of them Champions (5) Countries (2) and Conference League (1). To these he adds another 8 in Ligue 1 and 1 of the Olympic qualifiers last May. Fourth crossover with the fourth different Italian team this season, the record with the Italians is 1 victory (Juventus) and 2 defeats (Fiorentina e Milan). Fourth ever crossing also between the Roma same and the transalpine referee, the balance is one victory and two defeats, all in the last season Europa League. First ever crossing with the Harbour.

Probable lineups

Few doubts at home Roma, the best possible formation will take the field against Porto. In attack, the team will return dovbyk, most likely supported by Dybala e Pellegrini. Go back to the left Angelino, with Koné e Paredes in the median, while Steel is slightly ahead on Rensch e Saelemaekers in the runoff on the right lane. In front of Silker there will be Mancini, Hummels e N'Dicka.

Just like Ranieri will do, too Anselmi will focus on the standard version of its Harbour. Before Diogo Costa the line composed of is then ready Pedro, Perez e Boy. In the median Varela will dictate the tempo in attack and act as a dam in defence, flanked by two very good players in insertions such as Moura ed Eustaquio. To the right Joao Mario, on the left the very young and very talented blackberry, while forward Samu will be joined by Pepe. 

Roma (3-4-2-1) Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, N'Dicka; Celik, Koné, Paredes, Angeliño; Pellegrini, Dybala, Dovbyk. Coach Claudio Ranieri.

Harbour (3-5-2) Diogo Costa; Pedro, Perez, Djalo; Joao Mario, Moura, Varela, Eustaquio, Mora; Pepe, Samu. All. Martin Anselmi.

Where to watch the match

The match between Roma e Harbour of the Olympic Stadium, valid for the return leg of the play-offs for the round of 16 of the knockout phase of Europa League, will start at 18:45 on Thursday 20 February 2025. There will be several options available to watch the match. The match will be visible on satellite on the platform Sky, to the channels Sky Sports One (channel 201) e Sky Sports channel 252. The match will also be available in streaming on NOW for those who have subscribed to the platform and on Sky Go for those who have a season ticket Sky. You can follow the match by downloading the app on your smart TV or by connecting the TV to a PlayStation 4/5, Xbox console, or to a TIMVISION BOX, to an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast device. Viewing also possible via app or website NOW on tablets, PCs and smartphones. The commentary of the challenge will be entrusted to RIccardo Gentile and Lorenzo Minotti.