AS Roma travel to Athens on Thursday night with a clear objective in mind to secure the point they need to confirm a top-eight finish in the UEFA Europa League league phase and book direct passage into the last 16. Standing in their way are Panathinaikos, already assured of a playoff spot and eager to turn home advantage into another statement European result.
Panathinaikos sealed progression last week with a dramatic 1-1 draw away to Ferencvaros, where Anass Zaroury’s late strike rescued a vital point in Budapest. That result lifted the Greens to 11 points, guaranteeing a place inside the top 24 and extending their European campaign into the knockout rounds. While a top-eight finish is mathematically out of reach, Rafael Benitez’s side will view Thursday’s fixture as a chance to build momentum ahead of the playoff draw.
Home form provides genuine encouragement. Panathinaikos have won five of their last seven European matches in Athens, including a notable victory over Fiorentina in last season’s Conference League. Since Benitez’s arrival in November, the Greek giants have found a measure of consistency, recording 11 wins from 19 matches in all competitions, even if domestic struggles persist.
A goalless league draw with Atromitos at the weekend left them a distant 18 points behind Super League leaders AEK Athens, underlining the contrast between their European resilience and league frustrations. AS Roma, meanwhile, arrive with confidence and clarity.
Last week’s 2-0 win over Stuttgart not only secured qualification but extended an impressive Europa League run to four consecutive victories. Young midfielder Niccolo Pisilli was the standout performer, scoring twice and underlining the squad depth Gian Piero Gasperini has cultivated. With Roma now sitting sixth in the overall standings, a draw would all but guarantee a top-eight finish and eliminate the need for a playoff round.
Defensive solidity has been a defining feature of Roma’s season. Across all competitions, they have consistently limited opponents, conceding just 13 goals in Serie A so far, and that discipline has translated well into Europe. Historically, AS Roma have also been difficult to break down on Greek soil, keeping clean sheets in four of their five visits, with the exception of a defeat to Panathinaikos back in 2010.
Domestically, Gasperini’s men remain firmly in the Champions League hunt. A hard-fought 1-1 draw against AC Milan at the weekend kept them in the mix for a top-four finish, while memories of Gasperini’s Europa League triumph with Atalanta in 2024 still linger as a reminder that AS Roma possess a viable alternative route into Europe’s elite.
Panathinaikos will be motivated by history, having beaten Roma twice in 2010, and by the opportunity to test themselves against one of Serie A’s strongest sides before the playoffs. Roma, however, arrive with greater depth, defensive assurance and a clear incentive to manage the game professionally. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Panathinaikos head into Thursday’s decisive European fixture with several notable absentees, including a handful of players with past Serie A experience. Former AS Roma and Sassuolo midfielder Filip Djuricic is unavailable, while attackers Cyriel Dessers and Karol Swiderski will also miss out, the latter serving a suspension after accumulating bookings in the Europa League.
Defensive options are also uncertain, as ex-AC Milan right-back Davide Calabria is a doubt due to illness, and midfielder Pedro Chirivella is being assessed after limping out of Sunday’s domestic fixture with a calf issue. These absences slightly weaken Rafael Benitez’s options, particularly in attack, but the Greek side still retain enough quality to remain competitive.
In terms of structure, Panathinaikos are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on organisation and quick transitions. Alban Lafont should start in goal, marshalling a back four that may include Davide Calabria at right-back if passed fit, with Sverrir Ingi Ingason and Ahmed Touba forming the central defensive partnership, and Giorgos Kyriakopoulos operating at left-back.
In midfield, Renato Sanches is likely to partner Adam Cerin in the double pivot, providing a mix of ball-carrying and defensive cover. Further forward, Facundo Pellistri is expected to operate from the right flank, Tasos Bakasetas in the central playmaking role, and Anass Zaroury on the left, where he remains Panathinaikos’s most productive European attacker this season.
With Swiderski suspended, Andrews Tetteh should lead the line as the lone striker, tasked with holding the ball up and bringing the attacking midfielders into play against Roma’s disciplined defence.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lafont; Calabria, Ingason, Touba, Kyriakopoulos; Sanches, Cerin; Pellistri, Bakasetas, Zaroury; Tetteh
Roma arrive in Athens with a growing list of absentees that significantly narrows Gian Piero Gasperini’s options, particularly in midfield and attack. Manu Kone has been ruled out for at least three weeks after suffering a flexor injury at the weekend, depriving Roma of one of their most energetic and reliable ball-winners.
As a result, Niccolo Pisilli and Neil El Aynaoui are competing to partner Bryan Cristante in central midfield. Further forward, Paulo Dybala picked up a minor knock against AC Milan and could be rested as a precaution, especially with Roma already needing just a point to secure a top-eight finish.
Roma’s attacking depth is also stretched as Artem Dovbyk remains injured, Leon Bailey has returned to Aston Villa, and new signings Robinio Vaz and Donyell Malen are ineligible for the Europa League. In addition, Stephan El Shaarawy, Mario Hermoso, and Devyne Rensch are all sidelined, leaving Gasperini with a threadbare squad for this crucial trip.
Tactically, Roma are expected to retain their 3-4-2-1 shape, prioritising defensive solidity and control of transitions. Mile Svilar should start in goal, shielded by a back three consisting of Gianluca Mancini on the right, Jan Ziolkowski in the central role, and Daniele Ghilardi on the left.
The wing-back positions are likely to be occupied by Zeki Celik on the right and Liverpool loanee Konstantinos Tsimikas on the left, both expected to balance defensive discipline with forward support. In midfield, Bryan Cristante is set to anchor play, with Niccolo Pisilli slightly favoured to start alongside him, offering energy and late runs.
Ahead of them, Matias Soule should operate in an advanced creative role, with Lorenzo Pellegrini given the chance to influence proceedings between the lines if Dybala is rested. Up front, Evan Ferguson is expected to lead the line as the lone striker, tasked with occupying defenders and providing a physical focal point as Roma look to manage the game and secure the result they need.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Tsimikas; Soule, Pellegrini; Ferguson
With Roma’s attacking options severely stretched, Evan Ferguson is likely to shoulder much of the responsibility in Athens. The Irish striker has quietly grown into a key figure under Gian Piero Gasperini, and his recent goal against Lecce underlined his ability to deliver when chances are limited.
Leading the line almost by default given AS Roma’s absences and ineligible signings, Ferguson’s role will be pivotal in linking play and occupying Panathinaikos’ centre-backs. What makes Ferguson especially important in this fixture is his physical presence and work rate.
Roma do not need to dominate proceedings, but they do need an outlet capable of holding the ball up and relieving pressure in a hostile environment. If Ferguson can pin defenders, bring midfield runners into play and take advantage of set-piece situations, he could be decisive in helping Roma secure the point they require to reach the Europa League last 16 directly.
Panathinaikos’s strong home record in Europe and AS Roma’s growing injury list suggest this will be a tight and cautious contest, particularly with the visitors only needing a point to secure a top-eight finish. The Greek side should be competitive and energetic in Athens, but Roma’s defensive structure and tournament experience may prove enough to see them through.
