Ghilardi ‘accepted’ Roma challenge and long wait for first start

Daniele Ghilardi finally gets his first start in the Roma jersey after working to impress Gian Piero Gasperini and warns Midtjylland have already caused Europa League surprises.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Bologna-RB Salzburg and Fiorentina-AEK Athens on the Liveblog.

Gasperini pulled a couple of big surprises in his starting line-up this evening, as Paulo Dybala is thrown straight back in after three weeks out with a muscular issue.

The other is that former Verona defender Ghilardi finally gets his first start after playing just six minutes so far this season. Why did it take him so long to convince the coach?

“I don’t know, you’d have to ask him,” Ghilardi replied to Sky Sport Italia.

“I knew when I came here that I would need patience and to work hard, as there are many talented players in competition for places. I accepted the situation when I arrived, it was only normal I’d start further back in the pecking order, and I needed to work my way up.”

While Roma are top of the Serie A table, Midtjylland are the surprise outfit leading the Europa League table following four victories against Sturm Graz, Nottingham Forest, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Celtic.

“Midtjylland are a strong team, they have a perfect record in the Europa League, so we can’t assume anything just because their name isn’t the most prestigious in the tournament.

“We must give our all and try to keep a clean sheet, that’s what the coach asks of us.”