Porto vs Roma

Estadio do Dragao forms the backdrop for the first leg of a handsomely-looking Europa League knockout playoff tie between Porto and Roma.

Despite experiencing their worst domestic run in recent memory (D3, L2), Porto’s season is far from over after a narrow 1-0 win at Maccabi Tel Aviv on matchday eight put them through to the knockout stages of a major European competition for the fourth season on the bounce. They’ve since drawn back-to-back domestic games against Rio Ave and Sporting CP after trailing 1-0 at halftime. Worryingly for the home fans, Porto’s run of only five wins from their last 25 European knockout games against any opposition (D4, L16) can’t inspire much confidence. But with four of them coming on this ground, Martin Anselmi’s side can earn a fighting chance in the first leg and strengthen their indifferent European record against Roma in the 21st century (W1, D2, L1).

On the other hand, Roma locked down a seeded berth in the league phase with a 2-0 home triumph against Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday eight, consolidating their indifferent European record this season (W3, D3, L2). However, they had since gone back-to-back domestic games without winning (D1, L1) before squeezing past Venezia last weekend, courtesy of a second-half penalty. Head coach Claudio Ranieri faces another daunting task as ‘I Giallorossi’ bid to defy an unenviable run of just three wins from their last 19 Europa League away games (D8, L8)! Adding to this sentiment, just one of their 15 previous Europa League wins came outside the Italian borders.