Stadio Olimpico forms the backdrop for the first leg of a mouth-watering Europa League last-16 tie between Roma and Athletic Bilbao. It won’t be the first time these two teams meet this

Claudio Rainieri's side clinched a victory in the first leg whereas Lazio also registered a win against Viktoria Plzen in Europa League Last-16 ties on Thursday

In Italy, Roma picked up a huge win over Athletic Bilbao and will take a 2-1 lead to Spain. Inaki Williams put the visitors ahead early in the second half, but it only took six minutes before Angelino grabbed an equaliser. Yeray Alvarez was sent off for Bilbao with five minutes to go, leaving the home side able to push for a winner.

Like Roma, Athletic Bilbao didn’t have to navigate the knockout playoff round after finishing second in the league stage behind Lazio. The new Europa League format has been plain sailing for Valverde’s team as they only lost once in eight games in the first phase (W6, D1).

AS Roma goes into the second leg with much enthusiasm thanks to Eldor Shomurodov’s stoppage-time winner in their 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in Rome. Lazio topped the league phase and showed its class in a 2-1 victory at Viktoria Plzen despite being reduced to nine men.

Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Tommaso Baldanzi start for Roma against Nico Williams’ Athletic Club in the Europa League Round of 16.It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 GMT.You can follow

Roma may be in the thick of a six-year absence from the Champions League, but rather than counting their misfortunes over the years, the Giallorossi have made the Europa League their playground, advancing deep into the knockout phases nearly every season and even making the final two years ago.