LUDOGORETS

League position: 2nd
Head coach: Ante Simundza
22/23 top scorer: Kiril Despodov, Bernard Tekpetey (both six)

RECENT FORM

LUDOGORETS: W W W W W
ROMA: W W D W L

Reigning Bulgarian champions Ludogorets began their European journey back at the start of July and successfully negotiated the first two rounds of Champions League qualifying before dropping into the Europa League following defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.

They then got the better of Lithuainian outfit Zalgiris in the final preliminary round of the UEL thanks to Olivier Verdon’s 120th minute penalty in extra time of the second leg - narrowly bookeing their place in the group stages.

The Giallorossi claimed their own spot in this year’s Europa League by lifting the 2021-22 Europa Conference League trophy, that effectively earned them promotion to the second-tier of European club football.

Defeat at the weekend was Roma’s first of the campaign and, regardless of the result, Jose Mourinho was expected to make changes in midweek, which could see the likes of summer signings Andrea Belotti, Mady Camara and even Mile Svilar make their first starts for the club.

Possible Ludogorets line-up

(4-2-3-1)

Sluga; Cicinho, Verdon, Platsun, Nedyalkov; Yordanov, Piotrowski; Tekpetey, Rick, Despodov; Thiago

DANGER MAN
Bernard Tekpetey

Ludogorets’ two wide attackers have been extremely profitable thus far in 2022-23, with Despodov on the left and Tekpetey on the right contributing a team-high six goals apiece in all competitions.

That has made preferred centre-forward Igor Thiago’s life a lot easier, with the 21-year-old Brazilian also contributing four goals and five asstits.

As a unit, the trio make for a fearsome attack but it’s Ghana international Tekpetey who we’ve singled out as the menace in chief.

His pace, power and eye for goal - as well as his ability to combine across the front line - will make life difficult for Roma’s defence.

MATCH STATS

This will be the first ever match between Ludogorets and Roma in European competition.

Ludogorets have lost all four matches against Italian teams in Europe, while Roma are taking on a Bulgarian side for the 11th time having won seven of their last 10 such fixtures (W7, D1, L2).

The hosts have not won any of their last 18 matches in the Europa League proper (W0, D4, L 14), which is the longest winless streak in the competition's history.

Roma have scored each of their previous 27 games in Europe and 207 minutes of football have passed since they last conceded a continental goal.

PLAYER STATS

• Tammy Abraham has scored 13 goals in 26 games in major European competitions, including nine goals in 13 appearances last season in the Conference League.
  
• If he features, Paulo Dybala will make his Europa League debut having previously scored 18 goals and provided three assists in 53 Champions League appearances.
  
• Over the course of the last five matches played in the Conference League, Lorenzo Pellegrini was involved in four goals (two goals, two assists).
  
• Rui Patricio kept more clean sheets (six) than any other goalkeeper in the UECL last season.

WHAT THEY SAID

"I think we are ready and anything can happen tomorrow. All that is left for us now is to make sure we start the match in the right way and play with courage.

"I am expecting a really hard-fought game from both sides. We need to raise our game to match their quality and do so with confidence and belief in ourselves."

- Ludogorets coach Ante Simundza