Comments and predictions for Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma: Dramatic until the last minute
The match between Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma in the Europa League takes place at 0:45 on March 14. Nghe An Newspaper analyzes performance, makes football comments and predicts the score.
Latest Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma squad information
Athletic Bilbao suffered a major blow when key centre-back Dani Vivian picked up an injury in the first half of last week’s first leg. Not only that, his teammate Yeray Alvarez was sent off and will be sidelined for the return leg. Therefore, Aitor Paredes will likely join Unai Nunez in the home team’s defence.
Coach Ernesto Valverde will also be without Alvaro Djalo due to an ankle injury and Oihan Sancet due to a thigh injury, both of whom are still not fit enough to return to training. However, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta has completed his domestic suspension and is available.
Up front, as usual, Inaki Williams will continue to start alongside his younger brother Nico Williams. The remaining spot on the attack line is a competition between Gorka Guruzeta and Maroan Sannadi.
Inaki Williams has scored five goals in the Europa League this season, equalling the record for most goals scored in a single European season by a Ghanaian player. This is on par with the likes of Tony Yeboah (1992-93), Michael Essien (2004-05), Patrick Twumasi (2017-18) and Mohammed Kudus (2022-23, 2023-24).
On Roma's side, coach Claudio Ranieri is expected to make some changes to the squad compared to the match against Empoli last weekend, with the return of Angelino, Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala.
Gianluca Mancini missed that game through suspension, while Leandro Paredes was also banned for the first leg of last week's Europa League tie. Both are now available again.
Zeki Celik is out with a thigh injury, so Devyne Rensch could be selected to fill the role in Roma's back three. Alternatively, one of the two experienced centre-backs, Mats Hummels or Victor Nelsson, could continue in the starting line-up.
Latest expected lineup for Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma
Athletic Bilbao:
Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Nunez, Paredes, Yuri; Jauregizar, Ruiz De Galarreta; I. Williams, Gomez, N. Williams; Sannadi
Roma:
Svilar; Rensch, Mancini, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Paredes, Cristante, Angelino; Dybala, Baldanzi; Dovbyk
Latest football commentary Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma
Although Inaki Williams headed the opener for Athletic Club at the Stadio Olimpico, the Basque side did not hold on to their advantage for long as Angelino quickly equalised for Roma.
Things got tougher when Yeray Alvarez was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving Athletic scrambling to defend their lead. However, they were still denied a point as Roma scored the winner in the final minute of stoppage time.
The disappointment continued over the weekend as Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Mallorca in La Liga. After a tense first half, the Basque side conceded early in the second half, but Nico Williams quickly responded with an equaliser.
Athletic, however, still have the upper hand in the race for Champions League qualification next season, with a five-point lead over fifth-placed Villarreal, despite having played a game more.
Despite going three games without a win in all competitions (two losses, one draw), Ernesto Valverde’s men have maintained an impressive home form. They are third in La Liga this season, averaging more than two points per game.
Furthermore, Athletic have won all four Europa League games at San Mamés this season and have scored in 17 consecutive European games, home and away.
Athletic's record against Italian sides has also given them confidence, having won eight of their 10 home games against Serie A sides, suggesting they have a chance to turn things around when they host Roma.
On the other side of the battle, Roma now have the advantage after Eldor Shomurodov's late goal at the Olimpico. The Uzbek striker scored in the 94th minute to complete the comeback.
With this victory, Roma are now the team with the most wins in Europa League history, with 97 wins in 185 appearances.
They have also shown impressive character in the European knockout rounds, having won all nine of their last eight ties, a run that stretches back to 2019 and gives them reason to be confident heading into the quarter-finals.
While Athletic secured a direct place in the round of 16, Roma had to go through a tense play-off against Porto before avoiding Lazio in the draw. They are now aiming to reach the quarter-finals, where they will face Rangers or Fenerbahce – Jose Mourinho's former team.
Roma remain unbeaten in Serie A in 2025 and continued their impressive form on Sunday when Matias Soule scored early to help them beat Empoli. It was their sixth consecutive win, extending their unbeaten run to 12 league games.
Since Claudio Ranieri returned to the club in November, only Inter Milan have won more games than Roma in all competitions, moving them closer to the top four in Serie A.
At 73, Ranieri will surely want to use this momentum to help Roma progress in the Europa League, with the hope of returning to San Mamés in May and ending an illustrious career with a continental trophy.
Latest score prediction Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma
Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Athletic Bilbao vs AS Romaas follows:
- Sportsmole:Athletic Bilbao 1-1 AS Roma
- WhoScore:Athletic Bilbao 2-1 AS Roma
- Our newspaper predicts:Athletic Bilbao 1-1 AS Roma
When and where to watch Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma live?
To watch live the match Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma in the Europa League taking place at 0:45 on March 14, viewers can watch on TVK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.