Athletic Bilbao Vs. AS Roma Prediction: Los Leones Comeback Mission In San Mames

Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao's main weapon in the Europa League (photo: x @AthleticClub)

JAKARTA Athletic Bilbao prepares to face tough challenges against hosting AS Roma in the second leg of the Europa League last 16 on Thursday night March 13 or Friday morning WIB. Left behind by aggregate 1-2 after losing at Stadio Olimpico last week, Los Leones had to show their best performance at the San Mates Stadium to turn things around and keep hopes of appearing in a final that happened to be held at their own home.

In the first leg, Bilbao had taken the lead with a close-range header goal from Imenki Williams. However, Roma immediately responded through Angelino's goal, before finally Eldor Shomurudov scored the winner in the 94th minute which left the visitors empty-handed.

The result further added to Bilbao's disappointment which at the end of last week failed to win again after being held by Mallorca 1-1 in La Liga. Even so,tai Valverde's side are still on track to secure tickets to the Champions League next season, five points ahead of Villarreal who are in fifth place.

In his last 10 home games against Italian clubs in European competitions, Bilbao has won eight wins. They also performed solidly at the San Mates this season with an unbeaten record in the Europa League and have scored in 17 consecutive matches in all competitions.

However, the challenge this time was not easy, especially as they lost two main defenders, Dani Vivian who suffered an injury in the first leg and Yeray Lavarez who got a red card. Aitor Paredes will most likely be paired with Unai Nörez to guard the back line.

On the other hand, Roma came with high confidence after a dramatic win in the first leg and set a record 12 games without defeat in Serie A since the start of the year. Claudio Ranieri's team are even in their best form with six consecutive league wins.

Since returning to dealing with Roma in November 2024, Ranieri has managed to lift the team's performance and is now starting to suppress competition in the Champions League zone. For Ranieri, who is now 73 years old, closing her career by bringing Roma to the final in Bilbao is certainly a dream in itself.

Their record in European competitions is also quite impressive. Roma have won 97 of the 185 games in the Europa League, making it the team with the highest number of wins in the history of this tournament. In addition, in their last nine chances of winning the first leg in the knockout stages of European competition, Roma have always managed to qualify for the next round.

However, they must remain vigilant considering that San Mames is not an easy place to conquer.

In this party, Athletic Bilbao will lose several key players. In addition to the absence of Dani Vivian and Yeray Holvarez in the back lines, they will also not be strengthened by bettervaro Djal Badminton (injury injury) and Oihan Sancet ( thigh injury). However, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is ready to return after missing the domestic match.

The attacking sector will still rely on the duo of brothers Iwaki and Nico Williams, who will be backed by Alex Berenguer or Maroan Sannadi. Imenki Williams himself has a special record in the Europa League this season with five goals, matching the best records of other Ghanaians such as Tony Yeboah, Michael Essien, Patrick Twumasi, and Mohammed Kudus.

Roma, on the other hand, are ready to rotate after several main players were rested in a 1-0 win over Empoli last weekend. Angelino, Paulo Dybala, and Artem Dovbyk will most likely return to the starting XI.

Gianluca Mancini, who missed the last Serie A match due to suspension, and Leandro Paredes, who underwent a ban from playing in the Europa League last week, are now ready to play again. However, Zeki Celik will be absent due to a thigh injury. Ranieri can choose Devyne Rensch as a substitute or install Matswas and Victor Nelsson in the back.

With full support from the public of San Mames, Bilbao is believed to be looking all out to reverse the aggregate deficit. However, Roma, which has one goal advantage and experience in European competitions, will not be easily conquered. This fierce duel is predicted to last until the final whistle.

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1):Agirezabala;De Marcos,N wayez, Paredes, Yuri; Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; I. Williams, Gomez, N. Williams; Sannadi

AS Roma (3-4-2-1):Svilar; Rensch, Mancini, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Paredes, Cristante, Angelino; Dybala, Baldanzi; Dovbyk