On the day of the Conference League draws, no one would have said that Roma, having reached the last day of the group, would still be fighting for the first place in the group.
Instead, two days before the match against CSKA Sofia, the Giallorossi find themselves going to Bulgarian with the obligation to win and hope for a misstep (defeat or equal) by Bodo Glimt, first plus one over Abraham and his teammates.
A situation resulting from the double confrontation with the Norwegians that brought Mourinho only one point and which, in the event of second place confirmed, would mean play-offs in February against one of the third parties who would drop from the Europa League to access the knockout draw. In short, the situation is what it is. It does not depend solely on the feet of the Giallorossi players, but the fact remains that in Trigoria they will fly to Bulgaria to look for the three points and also hope for a stroke of luck.
The training before the one on the eve was carefully observed by GM Tiago Pinto and the Special One will not pay much attention to the turnover, except in some roles where he is forced by the injuries that have hit the yellow and red squad.
Pellegrini and El Shaarawy, in fact, continue their path of therapies and will return directly in 2022. On the other hand, Mancini, Zaniolo, Abraham and Karsdorp are sure of a place.
The first two will be disqualified because they will be disqualified on Monday with Spezia, the rest because they will rest on Saturday with Inter due to the disqualification to be served.
For the rest he should confirm the three-man defense, but grant Smalling a deadlift match, fresh from four consecutive games as a starter.
