The much-awaited UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg pits Athletic Bilbao against Roma, set at the iconic San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Mark your calendars for March 13, 2025, at 18:45 CET. Following a closely contested first leg, Roma emerged victorious with a 2-1 win against Bilbao at the Stadio Olimpico. Expect an electric atmosphere with 53,332 passionate fans filling San Mames, as both teams battle for a quarter-final spot.
Athletic Bilbao is in a challenging position as they need to overturn the deficit. Their form has been mixed lately, with one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five games. Meanwhile, Roma comes prepared and confident, riding high on a five-game winning streak across all competitions. Under Claudio Ranieri’s sharp management, they’ve been impressive in Italian and European fixtures, proving themselves tough opponents.
Key players to watch out for include Iñaki Williams for Bilbao and Paulo Dybala for Roma. Bilbao’s unique tradition of fielding only Basque players adds an interesting twist to their matches, strengthening their narrative in European football.
Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Prediction & Betting Tips
For this exciting clash, the suggested bet is for the match to feature over 4.5 goals. Athletic Bilbao has no choice but to go on the offensive to wipe out their deficit, and both teams have shown vulnerabilities in defense, suggesting a high-scoring game. Bilbao is expected to lean heavily on their attack to upset Roma’s aggregate edge.
| Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting Tip | Over 4.5 goals |
| Odds | 9 |
Bilbao’s attacking strategy needs to make up for their defensive gaps. Their commitment to a high-paced game should create plenty of scoring opportunities for both sides.
Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Odds
The current odds in the market suggest an intense, competitive game with a tilt towards a high-scoring match. Despite Roma’s slight edge from recent performances, the odds for a draw remain significant given Bilbao’s strong home advantage.
| Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Athletic Bilbao Win | N/A |
| Draw | N/A |
| Roma Win | N/A |
Both teams boast strong attacking tools, making the goal market highly attractive for bettors.
Athletic Bilbao Team Analysis
Athletic Bilbao Recent Performance
Athletic Bilbao has shown a blend of performances in various contests, including drawing with Mallorca and narrowly losing to Atletico Madrid. A standout was their impressive 7-1 home win over Real Valladolid. Competing for a top-four spot in La Liga, Bilbao holds a determined fourth position.
Their recent league performances offer some optimism, despite needing tactical tweaks and squad challenges. They have shown resilience and flashes of brilliance, especially in attack.
| Athletic Bilbao Recent Results | |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Result |
| Mallorca | 2-2 |
| Atletico Madrid | 1-2 |
| Real Valladolid | 7-1 |
| Espanyol | 3-3 |
Athletic Bilbao Key Players
A pivotal part of Bilbao’s offense is Iñaki Williams, who found the net against Roma in the first leg. His brother, Nico Williams, has stayed at the club despite interest from big teams, emphasizing his value and impact in this match. Unai Gómez shines in midfield with his vision and passing, aiding in transitional play.
Defensively, goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala will be tested against Roma’s attack, while Óscar de Marcos offers stability amid their defensive injury woes. The absence of striker Maroan Sannadi due to injury could influence attacking options, leaning on young talent like Mikel Jauregizar to turn the tide in Athletic’s favor.
Athletic Bilbao Suspensions & Injuries
Athletic Bilbao deals with several suspensions and injuries:
| Player | Issue | Return Status |
|---|---|---|
| Álvaro Djaló | Ankle injury | Mid March 2025 |
| Daniel Vivian | Thigh injury | Late March 2025 |
| Yeray Álvarez | Red card suspension | 1 match ban |
| Oihan Sancet | Injury | Status Uncertain |
Bilbao has to skillfully navigate these absences, with anticipated tactical rotations to manage player fatigue and integrate substitutes into key match roles. Strategies will aim for recovery to ensure players are ready and fit.
Athletic Bilbao Tactics and Formation
Athletic Bilbao is set to play a dynamic 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on width and speed through the Williams brothers on the wings to penetrate Roma’s defensive gaps. Tactical flexibility may see them switch to a back three for more defensive cover, while intense midfield pressure is key to countering Roma’s strategy.
The game plan likely emphasizes quick possession transitions to maintain momentum and craft opportunities, with an eye on set-pieces as a way to exploit Roma’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Roma Team Analysis
Roma Recent Performance
Roma showed strategic acumen with a 2-1 first-leg triumph over Bilbao, combining steady defense with attacking flair. They have maintained an unbeaten record in Serie A, which speaks to their overall strength.
Recent wins over Empoli, Como, and Porto highlight Roma’s tactical versatility and depth, with coach Claudio Ranieri focusing on defensive consistency and strategic discipline.
| Roma Recent Results | |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Result |
| Athletic Bilbao | 2-1 |
| Empoli | 3-0 |
| Como | 4-1 |
| Porto | 2-0 |
Roma Key Players
Despite doubts about his fitness, Paulo Dybala remains a cornerstone of Roma’s attack, blending creativity with goal-scoring prowess. Defensively, Gianluca Mancini is crucial for organizing the backline. Rising star Niccolò Pisilli continues to show tactical potential, pointing to a bright future for Roma.
Midfield is crucial, with Bryan Cristante playing the key role of orchestrator, directing play and steering attacks. Newcomers like Tommaso Baldanzi have strengthened Roma’s squad depth, while forward Artem Dovbyk is lined up to spearhead their scoring efforts.
Roma Suspensions & Injuries
Roma’s injury concerns include:
| Player | Issue | Return Status |
|---|---|---|
| Paulo Dybala | Physical discomfort | Doubtful |
| Zeki Celik | Muscle injury | Late March 2025 |
Missing Dybala could require tactical tweaks to maintain offensive thrust. Roma will need adaptable strategies to handle these challenges, especially with Rick Karsdorp’s exit demanding more from their defensive line.
Roma Tactics and Formation
Adopting a structured 3-4-2-1 formation, Roma balances robust defense with sharp attacking plays. Strong wing play aids both in advancing forward and defensive organization, marked by Angeliño’s dual efforts. Their attack capitalizes on quick transitions to exploit Athletic’s defensive issues, with Cristante running central operations.
Tactical substitutions will help manage energy levels while allowing strategy shifts according to the match’s progress. Ranieri’s disciplined defensive plan aims to counter Bilbao’s offensive dangers expertly.
Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Head-to-Head Statistics
Previous encounters between these squads promise a thrilling contest, often closely matched. Roma’s recent 2-1 victory stands out, but generally, their meetings record balanced outcomes.
| Historical Encounters | Result |
|---|---|
| Athletic Bilbao vs Roma | 1-2 |
| Roma vs Athletic Bilbao | 1-1 |
With six goals in their last five meetings, these fixtures usually see open play, influenced by Bilbao’s home power and Roma’s adaptable style.
Venue and Weather
Located in the Basque Country, San Mames is a fortress full of history and legendary European nights. Vibrant home support often boosts Bilbao’s performance.
The forecast for the evening predicts light rain, affecting pitch dynamics. Expected to be played at 16.08°C with moderate humidity, the weather should be ideal for football. The breeze, at 4.19 m/s, shouldn’t disrupt play, allowing both sides to stick to their game plans.
The rain-slicked pitch could give an edge to players skilled in quick passing and fields swaps. This makes the already thrilling Europa League clash even more unpredictable and exciting.
