Roma simply need a win from their final Serie A game of the season to confirm their place in next season’s Europa League.
Torino will host Jose Mourinho’s side for their 38th and final fixture of the league campaign, from which Roma will be hoping to confirm a top-six finish.
They can get into next season’s Europa League by winning the final of the Conference League on Wednesday, but it would be nice to approach that for its intrinsic worth as a chance for a trophy and with nothing else at stake. On both fronts, it is in Roma’s hands.
The rest of their rivals for a top-six place do not play until Saturday at 7:45pm, but Roma’s fixture is taking place one day earlier to allow ample time for preparation for the European final after.
Their focus may be beginning to drift, but they will likely field a rotated lineup against Torino out of necessity, rather than plan. For example, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Chris Smalling are unavailable, as confirmed by Mourinho on Wednesday. Rick Karsdorp and Nicolo Zaniolo are also serious doubts.
Recent attempts with depth players haven’t always gone to plan – Roma are on a run of five games without a win in Serie A, never scoring more than once in a match in that time – but the motivation is there for them on Friday.
Mid-table Torino, on the other hand, have nothing to play for but pride. They have won three of their past five league games, but Roma won the reverse fixture 1-0 back in October.
A win of any scoreline will be enough on the final day, although Roma would then have to wait 24 hours to see if they will be finishing fifth or sixth. Draw or lose, and it could be lower.
What’s more, only a win will give Roma a better points total than they managed last season.
Three points this time around are the target, though, as they look to end Mourinho’s first season back in Serie A with an 18th league win of the campaign – before the attention turns to Wednesday.
The game against Torino will kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Friday. It will be live on BT Sport 3.
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