The culmination of a dramatic Serie A season sees AS Roma travel to the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium to face Hellas Verona on Sunday evening, with a return to the UEFA Champions League after seven long seasons firmly within their grasp. Victory over the already-relegated Gialloblù would confirm a top-four finish, leapfrogging Juventus and ending the club’s prolonged absence from Europe’s elite competition.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have timed their run to perfection. A 2-0 derby triumph over Lazio, courtesy of a Gianluca Mancini brace, coupled with Juventus’s shock home defeat to Fiorentina (0-2) propelled Roma into fourth place on 70 points. That places them level with AC Milan and two points clear of both the Bianconeri and Como, heading into the final 90 minutes of the campaign. The equation is simple: win and Champions League football returns to the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma’s resurgence under Gasperini has been built on a formidable late-season charge. The Giallorossi have won five of their last six outings, showing a blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair that had been missing earlier in the campaign. The derby win, in particular, highlighted their mental fortitude, as they weathered early pressure before Mancini’s set-piece expertise made the difference. Now, the last hurdle is an away fixture against a side with nothing to lose.
Hellas Verona’s relegation was confirmed weeks ago, but Paolo Sammarco’s team have refused to go down without a fight. In their last two home matches, they stunned the league by holding both Juventus and Inter Milan to 1-1 draws, demonstrating that pride and professionalism remain intact. The Bentegodi crowd will demand a performance to honor their Serie A status, and Roma must be wary of an opponent liberated from pressure.
The official lineups reflect Gasperini’s tactical pragmatism and Verona’s intention to bow out with dignity. Roma line up in their customary 3-4-2-1 shape: Svilar in goal; a three-man defense of Ghilardi, Mancini, and Hermoso; Celik and Rensch as wing-backs; Cristante and Pisilli in central midfield; Soulé and Dybala playing behind striker Malen. The Argentine pair will be tasked with unlocking a Verona backline that has shown redoubtable organization.
Verona respond with a 3-5-2 setup: Montipò starts; Valentini, Edmundsson, and Nelsson form the defensive trio; Frese, Lovric, Harroui, Akpa Akpro, and Belghali comprise the five-man midfield; Suslov and Bowie lead the attack. The hosts will likely look to frustrate Roma and hit on the counter, with Bowie’s pace a potential threat against a Roma backline that has occasionally been caught high up the pitch.
The key duel may well come between Roma’s creative fulcrum, Paulo Dybala, and Verona’s robust midfield. Dybala has been rediscovering his best form at the business end of the season, and his ability to drift into pockets and deliver pinpoint through balls could decide the contest. If Verona allow him time on the ball, the consequences could be fatal to any hopes of a farewell victory.
For Roma, the significance of this match transcends a single season. A return to the Champions League not only carries immense prestige but also vital revenue that can fuel the club’s ambitions under the ownership of the Friedkin Group. After seven years in the wilderness – ranging from Europa League disappointments to a Conference League triumph – the chance to rejoin the continent’s top table marks a pivotal moment in the club’s modern history.
Gasperini has warned his players against complacency, emphasizing that Verona will treat the fixture as their own cup final. “We have worked all season for this moment,” he might have told his squad beforehand. “Respect the opponent, stay focused, and execute our game.” His own reputation as a master of high-tempo, attacking football will be burnished if he can deliver what predecessors could not.
Conversely, Sammarco will have reminded his team that they owe their fans a performance. The Bentegodi has witnessed several memorable results this season despite the eventual demotion, and finishing with a scalp would provide a sliver of consolation. The Gialloblù have conceded just once in their last two home outings against top-four rivals – a statistic that demands Roma take nothing for granted.
As the 20:45 CET kick-off nears, the tension in Verona will be palpable. For Roma fans around the world, the wait has been too long. The club’s last Champions League appearance came in the 2018-19 season, and since then, a series of false dawns have tested the patience of the Curva Sud. Tonight offers redemption, and Gasperini’s men have 90 minutes to seize it.
The match will be broadcast exclusively live on Dazn and Sky Dazn (channel 215), ensuring that a global audience can witness the climax of the Serie A season. With the league title long decided, the fight for Champions League places provides a thrilling subplot that encapsulates the drama of Italian football. For Roma, it’s not just about three points – it’s about reclaiming a place among the elite.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
