Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Roma will look to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Verona when they take on Salzburg in the Europa League last 32, return leg. The Romans aim to overcome a one-goal deficit in front of home fans, but keep in mind that key attacker Paulo Dybala remains in the recovery room. Tammy Abraham should be fit for the return leg despite suffering a head injury in the Serie A game, while fit-again midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum should once again start from the bench.
The Red Bulls, on the other hand, did well to beat Tirol in their last league match, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry at Stadio Olimpico. Since Jose Mourinho’s troops are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we are tempted to put our money on the Serie A side. All Guindo, Okoh, Tijani, and Omoregie have been struggling with injuries of late, speaking of the Austrian outfit.
Highlighted Player (Nemanja Matic):
Nemanja Matic is a Serbian footballer who plays for Premier League side Chelsea. The 194-cm-tall midfielder was born on 1 August, 1988 and he began his football career (youth) at Radnicki Obrenovac.
In 2005 he signed for Kolubara and after impressing with Kosice in the 2008/2009 campaign, Chelsea owners decided to sign him. Nemanja spent the 2010/2011 season on loan at Vitesse and at the end of the season he signed a deal with Portuguese giants Benfica, with David Luiz heading in the other direction.
Matic was in the form of his life in the 2013/2014 Primeira Liga campaign and he helped the Eagles clinch the domestic trophy. He rejoined Chelsea in 2014 for a fee of €25M and he helped the Blues win the Premier League title in the 2014/2015 season. Nemanja Matic has also developed into a key member of the Serbian national team that have been largely struggling of late.
Highlighted Team (Salzburg):
Salzburg are a professional football club that compete in Austrian Bundesliga. The club’s main sponsors are Red Bull and, as a result, they are well known under the name of the Red Bulls. The club was founded on 13 September, 1933 and they won their first Austrian Bundesliga trophy in 1994.
Salzburg quickly established themselves as the dominant force in the national championship and they are the most successful Austrian club in the 21st century. It has to be noted that they won their tenth Austrian Premier League trophy in 2016, finishing the season nine points clear of second-placed Rapid Wien.
The Red Bulls welcome their rivals at Red Bull Arena, the stadium that was opened on 8 March, 2008. The capacity of the venue is 31 895. Salzburg participated in the 1993/1994 UEFA Cup final, but Italian side proved to be a big catch for the Austrian outfit. Inter recorded a 2-0 win over Salzburg in the final (on aggregate).