Roma general manager Tiago Pinto wants them to prove against Ludogorets that the 4-0 defeat to Udinese was just a blip, but hits out at players who prefer to earn wages in the stands rather than ‘a new sporting challenge.’
It kicks off at 17.45 UK time (16.45 GMT), you can follow the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
This is the first European trip for the Giallorossi since they lifted the Europa Conference League trophy to the sky in Tirana, beating Feyenoord 1-0.
“Clearly Tirana was an important moment for us all, but that is the past, this game begins 0-0 and they are not afraid of us just because we won the Conference League,” Tiago Pinto told Sky Sport Italia.
“We are in the Europa League now, that was an objective for the campaign, now we want to go as far as possible in this competition and that means starting strong.”
Andrea Belotti gets his first start and goalkeeper Mile Svilar receives his debut for Roma.
“The squad we built allows the coach to rotate a bit, nobody can feel their position is safe, so it is an opportunity for them and the whole team. We suffered a bad defeat to Udinese and aim to prove that was not the real Roma.”
“Udinese was a painful night, but we no time to be too satisfied after victory or too upset after defeat. It was a bad day, but we are here now to prove we have the desire to win.
“It is always a process introducing new players, but our squad is strong, the coach treats it all like a family and we’re on the right track.”
There is some tension within the Roma camp after players like William Bianda and Uros Coric rejected transfers to Turkey and other clubs, instead continuing to sit in the stands with little hope of getting back into Mourinho’s side.
“I am not disappointed by what I expected. Unfortunately, there are some lads who make choices based on their contracts and not their sporting ambitions,” shrugged Tiago Pinto.
“I managed to find solutions for most of these lads, but unfortunately there are some who prefer to ‘honour’ their contract rather than seek a new sporting challenge. I cannot be disappointed or angry, because I did see this coming.”