VITESSE

League position: 7th
Head coach: Thomas Letsch
Top-scorer: Lois Openda (16)

RECENT FORM

VITESSE: L L D W W
ROMA: L D D W W

The Arnhem hosts finished second behind Stade Rennais in Group G and had to navigate a two-legged playoff against Rapid Vienna - who dropped down from the Europa League - to reach the last-16.

Vitesse lost the first leg in Vienna 2-1, a result that marked a fifth defeat on the spin for Letsch’s side in all competitions, but they’ve been unbeaten in three games since - including their 2-0 victory over Rapid that sets up this meeting with the Giallrorossi.

As for Roma, they avoided a playoff by pipping Bodo/Glimt to top spot in Group C, despite defeat to the Norwegians on Matchday 3.

That loss and a 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt at the Olimpico were the only games that Jose Mourinho’s side didn’t manage to win in the group stage as they picked up victories home and away against both Zorya Luhansk and CSKA Sofia.

Possible Vitesse line-up

(3-5-2)

Houwen; Oroz, Rasmussen, Doekhi; Dasa, Tronstad, Oroz, Domgjoni, Wittek; Baden Frederiksen, Openda

DANGER MAN
Lois Openda

The Belgian striker is into his second season on-loan at Vitesse and Openda has certainly made himself at home in the Netherlands so far.

He hit 13 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions last season as Vitesse finished fourth in the Eredivisie and reached the Dutch cup final and the 22-year-old has kicked on again this term.

Openda has already improved on his 2020-21 return by three goals in four fewer outings and he has four European goals among his 16 strikes across the campaign.

Quick, instinctive, good in the air and capable with both feet, Openda looks set for big things.

MATCH STATS

Vitesse haven’t won consecutive European games outside of qualifiers since October 2002, when the UEFA Cup was still in existence.

As for Roma, they are unbeaten in their previous five European outings against Dutch sides (W2, D3). Their last defeat was on 10 December 2002; a 2-1 loss away to Ajax in the Champions League.

The Giallorossi have won 12 out of 16 matches in Europe since the beginning of 2021 (W12, D2, L22), scoring an average of 2.6 goals per game and their last away draw away in a UEFA competition dates back to 27 February 2020.

This season alone has seen Mourinho’s side score three times from corners, which is more than any other team in the Europa Conference League.

PLAYER STATS

• Openda has been involved in four goals in his last three outings in Europe (three goals, one assist).
  
• Tammy Abraham is the Europa Conference League’s top scorer with six goals from six shots on target.
  
• Four of the seven players with three or more assists in the competition play for Vitesse or Roma: Eli Dasa and Maximilian Wittek for the Dutch side, Rick Karsdorp and Nicolo Zaniolo for the men from the Italian capital.

WHAT THEY SAID

"Everyone at Vitesse thinks this is a wonderful pairing. Mourinho is one of the best coaches so it's nice to face him."

- Letsch on drawing Roma and going toe-to-toe with Mourinho