Match Report: AS Roma V Athletic Club Bilbao 6th March 2025
On 6 March 2025 by Gillyowl
Claudio Ranieri is confident about the upcoming Europa League match against Athletic Club, stating it’s a ‘50-50’ situation following the thrilling victory in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico. He acknowledged, “We know that Roma are tough to beat and fight for every ball.”
What an exciting evening it was at the Stadio Olimpico! Athletic Club took the lead thanks to Inaki Williams, but just six minutes later, Angelino equalized the score. As the tension built, Yeray Alvarez was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Eldor Shomurudov, yet the team continued to push forward until the very end. Their efforts paid off when Shomurodov turned in an assist from Alexis Saelemaekers for a thrilling 2-1 victory.
In a surprising move, Ranieri decided to substitute Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk with 20 minutes still to play, but those changes turned out to be game-changers! What a match!
“The idea was to have many options before we started the match, then prepare for potential good and bad situations,” Ranieri told the media.
Tommaso Baldanzi’s inclusion in the starting XI raised a few eyebrows, but despite missing a clear opportunity in the first half, he managed to impress, especially alongside fellow Roma youth standout Niccolò Pisilli.
“Watching them train, it’s clear that they are capable,” the coach noted. “Baldanzi is hitting a rich vein of form at the moment. I had observed how they struggled against Atletico Madrid with players transitioning between midfield and attack, so I knew he could present challenges for them. He really delivered a fantastic performance.”
Zeki Celik was a bit uncertain due to a minor injury, but he certainly made his presence felt on the pitch, contributing both defensively and with a fantastic assist for Angelino’s equaliser. While the lead heading into the second leg in Bilbao next Thursday may not be substantial, it’s a crucial stride towards the Europa League quarter-finals and showcases Roma’s impressive recent form, boasting six wins and a draw across all competitions.
Under the leadership of Ranieri, Roma has seen a remarkable transformation. He’s stepped in as the third coach this season after both Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric departed, returning from retirement to guide his beloved Roma through what has been a challenging campaign. With each match, the team’s resilience is shining through, and the passion for the club is palpable!
