Ludogorets are heading into the match on the back of a thumping 6-0 win over Hebar 1918 in a First League fixture on Sunday, while the Serie A outfit suffered a 4-0 defeat at Udinese on the same day.
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Last season’s Europa Conference League champions AS Roma will kick off their 2022-23 Europa League campaign with a trip to Bulgaria to take on Ludogorets Razgrad in a Group C fixture on Thursday evening. The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a thumping 6-0 win over Hebar 1918 in a First League fixture on Sunday, while Roma suffered a 4-0 defeat at Udinese in a Serie A match on the same day. Ludogorets, who had won the Bulgaria top division title last term, came through the playoff round to secure a spot in the group stage of Europe’s second tier club football competition. Roma, meanwhile, had secured a fifth-place finish in the 2021-22 Serie A standings.
Who’s the team to beat in Group C?#UEL pic.twitter.com/zHpYomsSHi
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 5, 2022
Ludogorets have made a strong start to their domestic league title-defence, winning six of their opening seven games, to be sitting at the second position in the table. In their last match at home against Hebar 1918, the Eagles netted six times without reply. Spas Delev netted a brace while Ivan Yordanov, Rick, Bernard Tekpetey and Kiril Despodov scored one goal each to secure the victory for Ludogorets. Meanwhile the Eagles had defeated Zalgiris 4-3 on aggregate in the Europa League playoff round tie.
Roma, on the other hand, had won the Europa conference League last season to secure a straightforward passage to the group stages of Europa League. Jose Mourinho’s side are one of the favourites to lift this edition of the competition. The Little cubs have started their Serie A season pretty well, recording three wins, one draw and a defeat to accumulate 10 points, just three behind leaders Atalanta. After collecting 10 points from their opening four games, Jose Mourinho’s side suffered their first defeat of the season against Udinese on sunday.
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Roma boss Mourinho is likely to make some changes to the side that got bashed against Udinese. Last season’s Europa Conference League top scorer, Tammy Abraham is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Therefore new arrival Andra Belotti is expected to lead the line with Pellegrini and El Shaarawy in support. As for Ludogorets, Thiago, Tekpetey and Despodov could form the front-three. Piotrowski could pull the strings in the midfield with Rick and Yordanov in support.
Ludogorets Razgrad probable starting lineup: Sluga, Cicinho, Gropper, Verdon, Nedyalkov, Piotrawski, rick, Yordanov, Tekpetey, Thiago, Despodov
Roma probable starting lineup: Svilar, Mancini, smalling, Ibanez, Celik, Camara, Cristante, Zalewski, Pellegrini, El Shaawawy, Belotti
The UEFA Europa League match between Ludogorets Razgrad and Roma will take place at Ludogorets Arena on Thursday at 10:15 pm IST.
| Ludogorets Razgrad vs Roma | Key details |
| Date | September 8 |
| Venue | Ludogorets Arena |
| Kickoff time in Bulgaria | 7:45 pm |
| Kickoff time in Italy | 6:45 pm |
For the football fans in India, the live telecast of the UEFA Europa League is available on the Sony Ten network. You can also live stream through SonyLIV App/ website. Besides, the supporters in Bulgaria can watch the match between Ludogorets Razgrad and AS Roma on Max Sport 3. Meanwhile, those in Italy can catch the live action via SKY Sport Uno, Sky Go Italia, DAZN, Now TV and SKY Sport 252 .
