Roma Face Empoli as Champions League Fate Hangs in the Balance

It may simply be because I follow the Giallorossi more intently than just about any other sports team in the world, but it certainly feels like Roma has more seasons that come down to the wire than is typical. So often in the past decade, the month of May has been filled with European Cup semi-finals and finals and Serie A matches that determine Roma’s ability to enter the Champions League the following season (and with that, their financial flexibility for the all-important summer Mercato). This year is no different, as the intricacies of the Champions League qualification rules mean that Roma may still find themselves in the top-flight European Cup competition next season.

Essentially, if Roma are able to finish this season in sixth place and Atalanta finish their season in fifth, Roma will be granted Italy’s sixth Champions League spot. If Atalanta finishes higher than fifth, though, Italy only receives five CL slots, and Roma will once again be in the Europa League next season. The reasoning behind this is lost on me, but hey, I feel the same way about Financial Fair Play most of the time.

The actual work the Giallorossi can do to secure Champions League football is over; even a win and three points tomorrow against Empoli won’t guarantee CL for next season. Instead, their chances rest on just how much Atalanta cares tomorrow against Torino and on June 2nd against Fiorentina. Still, a win against Empoli should be expected from this Giallorossi side, if only to inspire confidence heading into the summer for Daniele De Rossi and whoever remains of this squad by the time the 2024/2025 season rolls around.

What To Watch For

The Last Hurrahs

Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images

Even if Roma had Champions League qualification in hand, it would be all but certain that a good chunk of this current Roma squad would be bidding adieu to Trigoria following tomorrow’s match. Players like Romelu Lukaku, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Rui Patricio are unlikely to be back in Roma kits for next season, with Lukaku’s loan from Chelsea ending and Spinny and Patricio coming to the end of their contracts with the Giallorossi.

Given the fact that Roma’s Champions League fate is out of their hands, don’t be too surprised if Daniele De Rossi gives players like Patricio one more go in a Roma kit. Svilar is all but set to be Roma’s starting goalkeeper for the extended future, so don’t fret if you see Patricio in goal one more time; while he certainly has worn out his welcome through poor play this season, I still respect Patricio for his stellar play during Roma’s Europa Conference League run.

Do the Young Guns Get a Run?

Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images

On the flip side, there are certainly a good number of players who might get a run tomorrow because of their role in Florent Ghisolfi and Daniele De Rossi's long-term plans. The first one that springs to mind is former Empoli man Tommaso Baldanzi, who looks set to inhabit a role on the right wing for Roma moving forward despite largely acting as a vice-Dybala since his January move.

Similarly, there have been enough rumors stating that Daniele De Rossi intends to incorporate Primavera winger João Costa into his rotations next fall; perhaps we get a chance to see him in spot minutes if this match becomes a laugher quickly. Add in a chance to see more of Edoardo Bove, and if you’re a member of the “Play the Kids” contingent like I am, even a match that feels relatively unimportant for Roma’s long-term health could be a great watch — if only to enter the summer filled with dreams of a youth movement propelling Roma to CL glory.

Match Details

Date: May 26th

Kickoff: 20:45 CET/2:45 EDT

Venue: Stadio Carlo Castellani, Empoli