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Match preview
Will last season’s Europa Conference League winners now go all the way in UEFA’s second-tier competition?
Back in May, José Mourinho guided Roma to their first silverware for 14 years, and their first trophy on the continent for 61 years, as they beat Feyenoord in the inaugural Europa Conference League Final.
This season, to avoid dropping straight back into that competition, I Giallorossi had to beat Ludogorets on matchday six.
On a tense night at Stadio Olimpico, a pair of Lorenzo Pellegrini penalties, followed by a clincher from the now departed Nicolò Zaniolo, secured a 3-1 win.
Meanwhile, in Serie A, Roma are, just about, clinging onto fourth spot, despite only managing a 1-1 draw with Lecce on Saturday.
Mourinho has won this competition twice, with Porto in 2003 and Manchester United 14 years later, so could Roma be amongst the favourites for glory in Budapest on 31 May?
Red Bull Salzburg have completely monopolised the Austrian Bundesliga, on course for a tenth successive title, so their season is defined by European success.
Matthias Jaissle’s side won just once in the Champions League group phase, beating GNK Dinamo at home, so finished third, below Chelsea and A.C. Milan.
Die Roten Bullen did reach the Europa League semi-finals in 2018 but, that season aside, have won just one of their last seven knockout phase ties.
Also, Salzburg are winless in five visits to Italy, dating back to 2009, so a victory in this home leg is of imperative importance.
Who will win this first leg at Stadion Wals-Siezenheim?
RB Salzburg team news
Bryan Okoh, Daouda Guindo, Samson Tijani, Justin Omoregie and Dijon Kameri are all out injured.
Star striker Benjamin Šeško was rested at the weekend, so will return in attack, alongside Junior Adamu and Noah Okafor.
Captain Andreas Ulmer will make his 553rd appearance for Salzburg, extending his own club-record.
Roma team news
Roma are without Nicolò Zaniolo, who was sold to Galatasaray earlier this month, and Rick Karsdorp after his falling out with José Mourinho.
Euro 2020 winner Leonardo Spinazzola is injured, so Stephan El Shaarawy, remember him, could continue at left-wing-back.
Familiar faces to Premier League fans are Rui Patrício, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Matić, Georginio Wijnaldum and Tammy Abraham.
The latter has scored 34 goals since the start of last season, ten of which have come in Europe, while Roma’s star man will be just in behind, namely Paulo Dybala.
RB Salzburg vs Roma: Head to head statistics
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