Massara: ‘Roma start with ambition to compete’ for Europa League glory | OneFootball

Roma director of sport Frederic Massara insists they ‘enter the Europa League with the ambition to do well’ and compete for the trophy, starting with OGC Nice.

It kicks off at the Allianz Riviera, called the Grand Stade de Nice for UEFA purposes, at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

Confidence is back in the Giallorossi camp following victory in the Derby della Capitale on Sunday, beating Lazio 1-0 for three wins in the opening four Serie A games, interrupted by a 1-0 defeat to Torino.

Now they begin their Europa League campaign in France against a Nice side who lost five of their seven competitive matches so far this season, including the Champions League preliminary round elimination at the hands of Benfica.

Paulo Dybala, Leon Bailey and suspended Jan Ziolkowski are out of action, with Wesley and Mario Hermoso again only fit for the bench.

Roma rotate for Europa League

WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma is put under pressure by Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa during the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Director of sport Massara was asked if it was satisfying to see new signings Neil El Aynaoui and Kostas Tsimikas starting tonight?

“It is satisfying to see Roma, there is no dichotomy between the old and new players. We tried to widen the options available to the coach, as we hope to go far in every tournament this season,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.

Lorenzo Pellegrini was one of the old players who Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed was meant to leave this summer, but after his goal to win the Derby della Capitale, could Roma go back on their decision not to offer him a new contract?

“Football can evolve so quickly, there are no scenarios that are out of the question. Lorenzo is a strong player who has done great things for this club and will continue to do so, but we are focused on taking it one game at a time this season.”

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates the opening goal with his team mates during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Some would suggest Roma are among the favourites for the Europa League, especially as Gasperini already won it with Atalanta in 2024.

“We enter this competition with the ambition to do well, albeit aware we have a very difficult league phase against very strong opponents. Roma competed in the past and hope to do so again,” noted Massara.

“Nice are a strong team, they qualified for the Champions League preliminary rounds. They lost a few players over the summer and haven’t had the most positive start to this season, but we know they will be very physical, aggressive, and can hurt us on the attack. They play a similar style of football, so we’ve got to be wary.”