The View from the Opposition: CSKA Sofia

We get the lowdown on Thursday's Europa League opponents...

Tsvetomir Lazarov, 42, is the editor of Sportcafe.bg, one of the main sports websites in Bulgaria.

He also happens to be a big Roma fan.

“Roma is my favorite foreign team," he told asroma.com. "'Gialla come er sole, rossa come er core mio!'"

How did you become a Roma fan?

“Italian football is highly respected in my family. My father is a Milan fan, but my brother made me a Roma supporter in the late 80's.

“In those years the information in our country was very scarce, but he adored Roma and Giuseppe Giannini.”

Have you ever been to the Stadio Olimpico to watch the team?

“I've been to the Olimpico at least 10 times. My first derby was in the spring of 2003 (1-1). The following year I was at the suspended match, when a rumor spread in the stadium about a boy being hit by a police car. My favorite live match at the Olimpico was against Inter - a 4-0 win in February 2012."

Who is your favourite ever Roma player?

“Giuseppe Giannini. He truly is 'The Prince'. Аnd he is one of the reasons I became a Roma fan. Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi are right after Giuseppe in my rankings.”

And who is the current Roma player you like the most?

“Nicolo Zaniolo is a unique talent, but unfortunately he is injured.”

Are there many other Roma fans in Sofia and in Bulgaria in general?

“Without a doubt, Roma is one of the most popular foreign teams in Bulgaria. In recent years CSKA fans have а friendly relationship with those of AC Milan, but from the older generation of our supporters there are plеnty of Romanisti.”

What do you think about Roma’s season so far?

“The team is in a slight crisis after Napoli and Sassuolo, but I'm sure it will pass quickly. Before that everything looked great."

Were you surprised by the draw in the match at the Olimpico?

“Yes, I was surprised. Roma were the clear favourites - not just for that match, but in the group from as soon as the draw was made."

How are CSKA Sofia approaching this second meeting?

“CSKA expects to go into the match as a team that has nothing to lose. A good performance against a top side like Roma can only improve self-confidence in the team. A derby with Levski is approaching and so a confidence-boosting performance is important for everyone in the club."

What’s your prediction ahead of CSKA Sofia-AS Roma then?

“CSKA 1-0 Roma. The Giallorossi end up as winners of the group anyway and the Reds will benefit from Paolo Fonseca's rotation to get a win."