TIAGO PINTO: ‘DYBALA A RISK FOR RB SALZBURG, NOT ROMA’

Roma director Tiago Pinto assures that starting Paulo Dybala after muscular issues is ‘more of a risk for RB Salzburg than for us’ in the Europa League play-offs.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 GMT.

The Austrians won the first leg 1-0, so the Giallorossi need a victory by one clear goal to level it on aggregate and more to qualify for the Europa League Round of 16.

“We know that in Europe we cannot afford to make a mistake and our performance in the first leg was good, but they scored at the only attempt,” Tiago Pinto told Sky Sport Italia.

“The level is very high in Europe and we need luck to be on our side too.”

Tammy Abraham had been expected to start with the aid of a special protective mask, but with stitches to a very delicate area of the eye, it was considered wiser to leave him on the bench.

Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini do make their comebacks from muscular issues, with Andrea Belotti upfront. Is Dybala starting a calculated risk?

“It’s more of a risk for Red Bull than it is for us. He was a doubt along with Tammy and Pellegrini, the starting XI is very important, but those who come off the bench can help to decide the game too.”

Jose Mourinho continues to seem irritable when asked about the future or the squad players at his disposal.

“I think that we are talking about the growth of the team over time. We are six points better off than last season, are in the Europa League and are seeing a change in mentality too. The most recent match against Verona, where we brought home the result, was a good example of that,” insisted Tiago Pinto.