The Europa League holds one of the most exciting matches of the third day. Roma and Betis, two of the best teams in the competition, will meet at the Olympic in the first official match between the two clubs. It will be the first of two games in a week in which they will seek to establish themselves in the top two positions in Group C. In fact, they are the favourites.
The Verdiblancos lead the standings with six points, two wins from two games, while Roma have three after being surprised against Lugodorets in Bulgaria last day.
Roma - Betis is played this Thursday, October 6 at 6:45 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Movistar Champions League channel. The La Vanguardia website will also offer live minute-by-minute information on what happens during the ninety minutes.
In a clear duel of opposing styles, with the curiosity of facing two technicians with a Madrid past. Chilean Manuel Pellegrini's Betis arrives in Rome perched on the lead with the intention of strengthening their chances of qualifying directly and thus avoiding an additional qualifying phase in the double confrontation they will have with Mourinho's men in the next seven days.
A Mourinho who needs victory in his particular coliseum if he doesn't want to complicate his way to the next phase of the competition and fall back to the Conference League, of which they are currently champions.
The 'Loba' arrives in good dynamics after the away victory against Inter Milan in Serie A and is placed fifth in the table. Mourinho has his entire squad available except for the Dutch Georgino Wijnaldum -long-term injured- and Rick Karsdop, and the doubtful Argentinian Paulo Dybala, who ended up with discomfort against Inter.
The 'Jewel' Dybala, if he arrives in conditions for the clash, is presented as the greatest threat of a 'giallorosso' team that has a hard time unblocking the matches. The English Tammy Abraham will be, surely, the nine of reference.
The Chilean recovers the Franco-Senegalese right-back Youssouf Sabaly for the Roman Olympic duel, recovered from a muscle injury that has made him miss the games against the Bulgarian Ludogorets, Girona and Celta, although for the right-hand side of the defense he could count with more ballots the homegrown midfielder Aitor Ruibal.
Pellegrini's usual rotations will begin in goal with his compatriot Claudio Bravo instead of the Portuguese Rui Silva, while the Argentinian Germán Pezzella and the Brazilian Luiz Felipe Ramos could form the axis of defense, who will not be able to play on Sunday in the League for his expulsion against Celta.
With the Brazilian William José da Silva as center forward replacing Borja Iglesias, the attacking options along with Fekir and Sergio Canales go through captain Joaquín Sánchez, Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique and youth squad player Rodri Sánchez.
Despite the ascending line and contribution of Rodri and Luiz Henrique, Pellegrini could opt for the specific weight of his captain on a stage and against a rival of such substance as the Olímpico and Roma to bring poise and experience to a date that, without be definitive, it could be decisive to put the Verdiblancos pass on track.
