Roma director Tiago Pinto insists they are confident of Europa League progress hosting HJK Helsinki and of striking a deal to extend Nicolò Zaniolo’s contract.
It kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), you can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Istanbul Basaksehir-Fiorentina on the LIVEBLOG.
“We want to progress in the Europa League and there are five games to go in order to achieve that,” the director told Sky Sport Italia.
The questions were again inevitably over the negotiations to extend Zaniolo’s contract, as he makes his comeback today from almost a month out with a dislocated shoulder.
“I can’t say more than Nicolò said yesterday, which is that he is an important player for us, there are no problems and we continue. There are two years left on his deal, after all.”
Roger Ibanez received his maiden call-up for the Brazil squad, so won’t be available for Italy.
“I always liked Ibanez very much and he has improved so much over the last year. The Brazil call-up is a consequence of what he’s doing at Roma. He has the capability to play in a three-man or four-man defence, is very aggressive in the tackle and has a great future ahead of him.”
Paulo Dybala is rested for the first time this evening, as Andrea Belotti, Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini are upfront.
“Dybala has won everyone over at Trigoria, as he is very humble, he is happy here and when a player is happy, it all seems easier.
“I too thought it’d take longer to get him into this form, but I am happy he is doing well.”