The first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 is set to unfold at the Stadio Dall’Ara as Bologna hosts Roma on Thursday, March 12th. The match, kicking off at 18:45 CET (12:45 PM EST), promises a compelling encounter between two Italian sides vying for a spot in the quarter-finals. Vincenzo Italiano’s Bologna will face a stern test against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma, who are dealing with some key absences.
Italiano acknowledged Roma’s strengths, stating, “They are playing well, defending well, conceding few goals, and have found Malen, who is performing very well. They play aggressive football, and we need to be prepared. I fear Roma as a whole.” He as well addressed the potential of Castro playing as a central forward, adding, “I don’t know. From a recovery standpoint, we have everyone available.”
Roma, however, will be without Soulé and Dybala for this crucial match. Gasperini will look to Malen, El Shaarawy, and Zaragoza to lead the attack, while Hermoso returns to the defense in place of the injured Mancini.
How to Watch Bologna-Roma on TV
Bologna-Roma, with kickoff at 18:45 CET, will be broadcast live on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Uno, and Sky Sport 4K in Italy. For those preferring to stream the match, Sky Go and Now are the platforms to apply. The game will also be available on TV8 in Italy, offering a free-to-air option for viewers.
For fans outside of Italy, broadcast rights vary by region. Consult your local sports listings to determine which channels or streaming services are carrying the match.
Other Europa League Fixtures
Alongside Bologna-Roma, several other exciting Europa League matches are scheduled for Thursday, March 12th. Nottingham Forest’s clash against Midtjylland at 21:00 CET will be shown on TV8. Sky Sport will exclusively broadcast the following matches:
- 18:45 CET: Stuttgart vs. Porto
- 18:45 CET: Panathinaikos vs. Betis Sevilla
- 18:45 CET: Lille vs. Aston Villa
- 21:00 CET: Genk vs. Freiburg
- 21:00 CET: Ferencvaros vs. Braga
- 21:00 CET: Celta Vigo vs. Lyon
The Europa League continues to deliver thrilling matchups, and this first leg between Bologna and Roma is poised to be another memorable encounter. The intensity of the derby atmosphere at the Stadio Dall’Ara will undoubtedly add another layer of excitement to the contest.
Bologna, enjoying a strong domestic campaign, will be eager to translate that form onto the European stage. Roma, with their European pedigree, will be looking to assert their dominance and secure a favorable result ahead of the return leg. The tactical battle between Italiano and Gasperini will be one to watch, as both managers seek to exploit their opponents’ weaknesses.
The availability of key players will be crucial for both sides. Bologna’s ability to utilize their full squad, as Italiano indicated, will be a significant advantage. Roma, however, will need to overcome the absence of Soulé and Dybala and rely on the contributions of their remaining attacking options.
Fans can expect a fast-paced and fiercely contested match, with both teams committed to attacking football. The outcome of this first leg could well determine the trajectory of their Europa League campaigns.
The return leg in Rome is scheduled for March 19th, promising another captivating chapter in this Italian Europa League story. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage and analysis of the competition.
