Roma-Ajax, Europa League quarter-finals (on Sky and Tv8) . Fonseca's words were not needed to understand that Roma-Ajax was the most important match of the year.
The Portuguese at the press conference was keen to reiterate it even just to keep his team's concentration high. Too many defensive errors of a season full of ups and downs, and now at its crossroads.
Roma-Ajax, Europa League, Fonseca: "We can't go wrong"
"We cannot afford to be wrong," said the coach, repeating the mantra of the last few weeks. The fear is that Dzeko and his teammates, strong 2-1 in the first leg, can relax having two out of three results available to go through.
Up for grabs, for the only Italian left in Europe, there are not only pride and national ranking. The semi-final of the Europa League would change the face of a hitherto fluctuating season. For this the recovery of Mikhitaryan is fundamental. The segment of the match played with Bologna on Sunday was functional to this match.
Fonseca's team will not only need foil, however. "We will need balance and we will have to fight as if the first leg had not been there because today this will be the most important game of the season", recalled Fonseca, who continues to have to do without Smalling.
Rome-Ajax, where to see it: on Sky and Tv8, at 9pm
The second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals will take place at 9 pm at the Olympic Stadium. Live TV commentary on Sky on Sky Sport Uno (number 201 of the satellite) and Sky Sport (number 252) channels. The Direct Goal of the four matches of the return leg of the quarter-finals will instead be broadcast on TV8.
Roma-Ajax formations
Rome (3-4-2-1): 13 Pau Lopez; 23 Mancini, 4 Cristante, 3 Ibanez; 2 Karsdorp; 14 Diawara, 17 Veretout, 61 Calafiori; 77 Mkhitaryan, 7 Pilgrims; 9 Dzeko. (83 Mirante, 87 Fuzato, 18 Santon, 14 Villar, 31 Carles Perez, 71 Morichelli, 21 Borja Mayoral, 11 Pedro, 54 Ciervo, 55 Darboe) All .: Paulo Fonseca
Ajax (4-3-3): 1 Stekelenburg; 15 Rensch, 2 Timber, 21 Martínez, 31 Tagliafico; 4 µlvarez, 6 Klaassen, 8 Gravenberch; 39 Antony, 10 Tadic, 7 Neres. (16 Scherpen, 33 Kotarski, 3 Schuurs, 5 Klaiber, 41 Llansana, 43 Musampa, 18 Ekkelenkamp, 20 Kudus, 19 Labyad, 9 Idrissi, 23 Traoré, 30 Brobbey). Coach: Erik ten Hag.
Referee : Taylor (Eng).
Source: Blitz Quotidiano