Panathinaikos vs AS Roma: Match Preview and Team Updates

AS Roma heads to Athens to play their last game in this season’s UEFA Europa League group stage against Panathinaikos.

Roma has already secured their spot as a seeded team but aims to finish in the top eight for direct entry into the last 16. Meanwhile, the Greek champions are fighting for a playoff position.

Match preview and team news: Panathinaikos vs AS Roma

• Date: Thursday, 29th January.
• Kick-off: 8pm BST.
• Venue: Olympiako Stadio Sypros Louis, Athens.

Panathinaikos team news

Coach Rafael Benítez will face this vital match without several important players. Davide Calabria is doubtful due to illness, and midfielder Pedro Chirivella is recovering from a calf injury from the last league game.

Forwards Cyriel Dessers and Karol Swiderski are both unavailable, with Swiderski suspended for accumulated yellow cards.

Despite these challenges, Benítez has a strong squad, with attackers like Anass Zaroury, who has scored four goals in ten Europa League matches, and Andrews Tetteh expected to perform. Renato Sanches and Anastasios Bakasetas will provide control in midfield, while experienced defenders Erik Palmer-Brown and Ahmed Touba will anchor the defense.

AS Roma team news

Roma is experiencing an attacking crisis, with Evan Ferguson out due to an ankle injury from the recent matchup against Stuttgart. He was on the bench for the game against AC Milan but will not play in this final Europa League match.

This adds to an already limited attacking lineup, as Artem Dovbyk will be sidelined for months following surgery, and Stephan El Shaarawy is dealing with Achilles tendon issues.

Manager Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed that January signings Donyell Malen and Robinio Vaz won’t be eligible for the Europa League until the knockout stages. Paulo Dybala has a slight knee issue but is showing improvement. His participation will be evaluated on match day.

Devyne Rensch is back in the squad after missing the AC Milan match due to a knee bruise, while Mario Hermoso and Manu Kone remain injured.

Form

Panathinaikos

Benítez’s side has struggled with consistency, recently drawing 0-0 with Atromitos in their latest Super League match and earlier drawing 1-1 at Ferencváros in the Europa League. Panathinaikos has achieved only three wins in their first seven Europa League matches, earning 11 points and currently sitting in 19th place.

AS Roma

Gasperini’s team has found its rhythm, winning four consecutive matches after a slow start in European play. Their latest match saw them defeat Stuttgart 2-0, demonstrating strong control. They also drew 1-1 against AC Milan in the prior game.

Predicted lineups

Panathinaikos: Lafont; Calabria, Ingason, Touba, Kyriakopoulos; Sanches, Gnezda Cerin; Pellistri, Bakasetas, Zaroury; Tetteh.

AS Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Tsmikas; Soule, Pellegrini; Dybala.

How to watch Panathinaikos vs AS Roma?

Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on TNT Sports 7.

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