Two struggling sides will face off on Thursday evening as Union SG host Roma at the Stade Roi Baudouin in a pivotal Europa League group stage match. Both teams are desperate for points to revive their European campaigns and boost morale amid disappointing domestic form.
The Italian giants arrive in Brussels under immense pressure, with manager Ivan Juric fighting to keep his job after a poor start to the season. Roma sit 12th in Serie A after losing three of their last four league matches, including a humbling 5-1 defeat to Fiorentina. Their Europa League form has been only marginally better, with one win, one draw and one loss from their opening three games leaving them 19th in the overall standings.
Juric has won just four of his first 10 matches in charge since taking over in the summer, leading to speculation that club owners could turn to a familiar face like Daniele De Rossi or Claudio Ranieri to steady the ship. The Croatian coach will be desperate for a positive result to ease the mounting pressure.
Roma do have history on their side, having gone 14 matches unbeaten against Belgian opposition since the mid-1970s. However, their current form suggests this record will be severely tested by a hungry Union SG side.
The Belgian side’s Europa League campaign has been even more disappointing so far, as they sit 29th in the standings with just one point from three matches. Despite outshooting their opponents by 16 attempts across those games, Union have struggled to convert chances into goals or points.
Manager Sebastien Pocognoli will be hoping the recent appointment of former Everton forward Kevin Mirallas as striker coach can help unlock his team’s attacking potential. The hosts have won just once in their last six matches across all competitions, leaving them languishing in 10th place in the Belgian Pro League.
Union did taste success in the Belgian Cup recently, but will need to rediscover their scoring touch if they are to kickstart their European campaign against Roma.
With Roma averaging 66% possession in the Europa League so far, the midfield battle will be crucial. Union must find a way to disrupt the visitors’ passing rhythm and launch quick counter-attacks. The industry of Christian Burgess and Teddy Teuma will be vital in competing with Roma’s technically gifted midfielders like Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante.
Team News
Juric is expected to rotate his Roma squad with one eye on Sunday’s Serie A clash with Bologna. Top scorer Artem Dovbyk may be rested, with Eldor Shomurodov likely to lead the line. Stephan El Shaarawy could replace Nicola Zalewski on the left wing, while Bryan Cristante and promising youngster Niccolo Pisilli may come into midfield.
Veteran defender Mats Hummels is pushing for his first start after Mario Hermoso’s recent injury. Alexis Saelemaekers remains sidelined with an ankle problem.
For Union, Madagascar international Loic Lapoussin is set to start in attack after returning from disciplinary exile. He should support strikers Franjo Ivanovic and Kevin Rodriguez, with David Promise providing another option after his recent cup heroics.
English defender Ross Sykes is available again after injury, but Alessio Castro-Montes and Sofiane Boufal remain out.
Expected Starting XIs
Union SG: Moris; Sykes, Burgess, Mac Allister; Niang, Amani, Sadiki, Vanhoutte, Lapoussin; Rodriguez, Ivanovic
Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Angelino; Abdulhamid, Paredes, Cristante, El Shaarawy; Pisilli, Baldanzi; Shomurodov
Match Prediction
While Roma have struggled for consistency, their superior technical quality should eventually tell against a Union side short on confidence. The Giallorossi’s possession-based approach may frustrate the hosts, potentially leading to a narrow away win.
Prediction: Union SG 0-1 Roma
