Roma have submitted their squad list for the final rounds of the Europa League – and Chris Smalling has not been able to make it.
The Giallorossi have been locked in negotiations with Manchester United to resolve the future of Smalling. The Englishman has thoroughly impressed on loan at Roma this season, but United have set too high an asking price for his permanent signature.
With the Premier League side still in the Europa League as well – they could meet Roma in the semi-finals, if both clubs make it that far – they have been hesitant to extend Smalling’s loan to cover the competition.
And confirmation has now arrived that Roma will not be able to use Smalling for the rest of the competition. It does not bode well for their already faltering chances of keeping him.
Embed from Getty ImagesElsewhere, there is no place for Javier Pastore. The attacking midfielder appears to be on the verge of an exit – most likely to the MLS.
He may also have played their last games for the club, then, not having featured since the loss to Milan at the end of June.
Restored to the list, though, is Nicolo Zaniolo. The attacking midfielder was injured at the time Roma submitted their initial list in February, but has since made an impressive return and is well in contention.
Lorenzo Pellegrini is included despite suffering a broken nose recently. He has returned to training wearing a protective mask, as Edin Dzeko did earlier in the season.
Also coming into the squad are Roger Ibanez and Bruno Peres. The defenders were not included in February’s list, but have each excelled since the return from lockdown.
Despite some claims earlier that Cengiz Under would also be left out, the Turk has made it onto the list. His compatriot Mert Cetin is absent, however.
Primavera duo Matteo Cardinali and Riccardo Calafiori are the only members of the B-list Roma have also submitted. The latter made his first team debut against Juventus in the last game of the Serie A season.
His fellow debutant in that game, goalkeeper Daniel Fuzato, is not included in the 22-man squad.
Roma face Sevilla in a one-off Round of 16 tie in Germany on Thursday.
Roma squad list in full
Goalkeepers:
Pau Lopez
Antonio Mirante
Embed from Getty ImagesDefenders:
Bruno Peres
Federico Fazio
Roger Ibanez
Embed from Getty ImagesAleksandar Kolarov
Gianluca Mancini
Davide Santon
Leonardo Spinazzola
Midfielders:
Bryan Cristante
Amadou Diawara
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Lorenzo Pellegrini
Embed from Getty ImagesJordan Veretout
Gonzalo Villar
Nicolo Zaniolo
Forwards:
Edin Dzeko
Nikola Kalinic
Justin Kluivert
Carles Perez
Diego Perotti
Cengiz Under
Embed from Getty ImagesB list:
Matteo Cardinali (GK)
Riccardo Calafiori (DF)
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