For the second season in a row, Roma and Feyenoord are in the Europa League play-offs. In the last edition of the continent's second highest tournament, the clash between the clubs also started in Rotterdam. Then the Dutch team was stronger and as the favourite of the duel went to Rome. On Italian soil, the Romans led for a long time, but in the 80th minute Feyenoord equalised and were a few minutes away from reaching the semi-finals. However, Roma first took the lead again, and then finished off their broken opponents in the extra time. The first match of the current stage of the Europa League ended less convincingly for the team from Rotterdam, but it looked almost more convincing than last season. A week ago, Paixao gave Feyenoord the lead on 45+1 minutes before Roma equalised midway through the second half to draw 1-1. Bookmakers have identified the hosts as the favourites for the upcoming game, offering odds of 2.13 on their victory.

Roma spend the current season at about the same level as the previous one. In Serie A, the Romans are in sixth place, quite seriously behind Atalanta, "closing" on the fourth position in the Champions League zone. At the group stage of the Europa League, the Italian club made exactly as much effort as they needed to get into the play-offs. At the same time, the first place in Quartet G was lost to Sparta Prague. Last Sunday, Roma travelled to visit Frosinone and beat the clear underdog 3-0.

Feyenoord "arrived" in the Europa League play-offs from the elite European tournament. Finding themselves there in the same group with Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Celtic, the Rotterdam team lost both meetings to the Spanish team. This did not allow them to compete for second place with Lazio, who Feyenoord defeated in their home walls. In the national league, Slot's team is in a solid second position. It is unlikely that Feyenoord will be able to impose a fight for the title PSV, but the team will not give their ticket to the Champions League to anyone. The guests will be fully focused, at least not to lose in Rome, and have every chance to fight for participation in the 1/8 finals of the tournament.