PARIS, Feb 12, (V7N) – Roma face a tough Europa League showdown against Porto on Thursday, hoping to rescue a disappointing season after a frustrating January transfer window. Despite an eight-game unbeaten run in Serie A, the club sits ninth in the table and crashed out of the Italian Cup to AC Milan last week.

Securing a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in their final league-phase game was just enough for Roma to scrape into the knockout round. Now, under Claudio Ranieri’s third stint, the club faces Porto amid growing fan frustration over financial constraints that limited winter signings. Ranieri, visibly irritated, fired back at criticism: "I will tell the president to spend more, take a suspension, and we'll all be happy."

Roma’s chaotic season has seen three coaches in charge, with Daniele De Rossi’s early sacking sparking outrage. His replacement, Ivan Juric, lasted only a few months before being axed with Roma hovering just four points above the relegation zone. Despite domestic struggles, Roma have been consistent in Europe, reaching at least the Europa League semi-finals in three of the past four seasons.

Porto are in even worse shape, enduring a five-match winless streak in Portugal. However, history favors them—having eliminated Roma twice in the Champions League in 2018/19 and 2016/17.

Elsewhere, Ajax enter the knockout round in top form, riding a six-game winning streak that has propelled them to the top of the Eredivisie. The Dutch giants, who finished a shocking fifth last season, are chasing their first major European trophy since 1995 and take on Union Saint-Gilloise.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce host Anderlecht, while rivals Galatasaray travel to AZ Alkmaar in a tense matchup. Galatasaray’s weekend clash against Adana Demirspor was abandoned after their opponents walked off the pitch in protest over a penalty call—fueling fresh controversy in Turkish football.

A full slate of Europa League and Conference League ties fills out Thursday's schedule, including PAOK vs. FCSB, Twente vs. Bodo/Glimt, and FC Copenhagen vs. Heidenheim. With knockout berths on the line, European nights are heating up.

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