Roma will resume battle with CSKA Sofia in the Europa Conference League group stage, in which they will also face Zorya Luhansk and Bodo/Glimt.
The draw for the inaugural group stage of the new tertiary competition was held on Friday, one day after qualification was secured with a win over Trabzonspor in the play-off round.
Roma were the side with the highest coefficient thanks to their efforts in Europe in recent years. As such, they were in pot one and seem to have earned a favourable draw.
Games against Zorya Luhansk, CSKA Sofia and Bodo/Glimt await.
Zorya Luhansk play in Ukraine and reached the competition by losing a Europa League play-off to Rapid Vienna. They came third in last season’s Ukrainian Premier League.
CSKA Sofia faced Roma in last season’s Europa League group stage and were a tricky opponent. In fact, they were the only side Roma failed to beat in either leg en route to the semi-finals after a 0-0 draw in Italy and a 3-1 loss in Bulgaria.
They are in this competition after winning a play-off against Viktoria Plzen, following a third-place finish in their domestic league last season. Like Roma, they have a new manager compared to last year.
Finally, Bodo/Glimt of Norway make up the group for what will be Roma’s furthest trip. They entered this competition at the second qualifying round stage, so have already had to win three two-legged ties to make it.
Bodo/Glimt played another Italian side, AC Milan, in the Europa League qualifiers last season, but lost. Their confidence will be renewed, though, after winning the 2020 Eliteserien.
Roma will undoubtedly be favourites for the group, but as CSKA Sofia showed last season and will aim to again this year, lesser ranked opponents can still be tricky.
Jose Mourinho fielded a strong lineup in both legs of the play-off with Trabzonspor but may have more opportunity to rotate when the group stage begins on September 16th.
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