Roma come into this after the worst possible opener to the 2018/19 Champions League, losing 3-0 at holders Real Madrid. Tonight they entertain Viktoria Plzeň for the second time in three seasons. With Plzeň being this group’s bottom seeds, and in poor European away form, this match looks (on paper) to be the ideal tonic for the hosts.
Semi-finalists of last season’s competition, Roma are now unbeaten in six European matches at the Stadio Olimpico, keeping five clean sheets in those matches. If bringing domestic form into the equation, it is worth noting that Roma have scored first in all four of their Serie A home matches this season, but have dropped four points from the 12 available.
The club has also gone without a home defeat to a lower seed in the group stage of any European competition since October 2010 – a total of six games. One of those six was an insultingly comfortable 4-1 thrashing of Plzeň back in the Europa League group stage of 2016/17.
Across all European competitions, Plzeň have won just one in ten away matches, keeping clean sheets in just three of their last twenty away ties (15%) played beyond the qualification stage of a European tournament.
Live streaming As Roma vs Plzen Championship League 3.10.2018
Players to watch: Edin Džeko (ROM) netted a hat-trick in the last meeting between these sides in Rome.
At the double in his last CL match, Michael Krmencik appears to be Plzeň’s only hope of a result.
Stat attack: Across all competitions, seven of Roma’s last eight matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
Viktoria Plzeň have scored first in eight of their last ten matches (in all competitions).
Plzeň’s away record from their last ten European road trips reads: W1, D4, L5.
Will not play
Perotti D.
(Thigh Injury)
Kopic J.
(Ankle Injury)
Questionable
De Rossi D.
(Knee Injury)
Pastore J.
(Calf Injury)
Match Information
Referee: Raczkowski P. (Pol)
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome)