Ranieri explains Roma tactical set-up and AZ Alkmaar danger | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri explains the tactical set-up for Roma against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League, warning they must ‘move the ball quickly and be wary of counter-attacks.’

It kicks off at the AZ Stadion at 17.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lazio-Real Sociedad on the Liveblog.

The Giallorossi are unbeaten in six matches between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, while they steadied the Europa League ship with a 2-2 draw away to Tottenham and 3-0 victory over SC Braga.

There was some confusion over the way that Roma are going to be set out, with UEFA calling it a 4-3-3 formation due to the presence of Zeki Celik.

“It is a three-man defence,” confirmed Ranieri on Sky Sport Italia.

Paulo Dybala and Alexis Saelemaekers are likely to be in support of lone centre-forward Artem Dovbyk, as La Joya has been showing remarkable consistency of fitness in recent weeks.

“I always said that when he is available, then it’s not a problem. He might need to be safeguarded at times in the game, but as long as he presses, runs and continues to be a reference point for us, he will play.”

Ranieri makes Roma tweaks in Europa League

BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Alexis Saelemaekers of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between Bologna and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 12, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante are out of action, but a surprise is seeing Gianluca Mancini on the bench.

“Mancini was not very well a few days ago, so it seemed logical to use Celik, especially as AZ Alkmaar have two very quick wingers, so I needed someone to contrast their left flank,” explained Ranieri.

“They like to attack vertically as soon as they win the ball back, this is an area where we have struggled, so I urged my squad not to allow AZ Alkmaar these counter-attacks, as they are very dangerous.”

Roma are without an away victory all season and hope to end that dismal record in the Netherlands this evening.

“We need to play well and win. Hopefully the lads will do everything we studied in training. AZ Alkmaar are compact, they all track back and we must do well to move the ball around quickly, because they tend to swarm on you with three or four and go on the counter,” concluded coach Ranieri.