AS Roma vs Viktoria Plzeň Official Lineups 23 Oct 2025

Few moments in a football fan’s week land with the same anticipation as the release of an official starting XI, and for Roma supporters on 23 October 2025, this one carried extra weight: it marked Gian Piero Gasperini’s first European home match as head coach. The lineups from Stadio Olimpico, paired with a late fightback that fell short, now set the tone for the rest of the group stage.

Match date: 23 October 2025 ·
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome ·
Competition: UEFA Europa League ·
Final score: Roma 1–2 Viktoria Plzeň ·
Roma formation: 3-4-3

Six key facts, one pattern: both teams entered the match with contrasting formations, and the early two-goal burst decided the outcome.

What are the official lineups for Roma vs Viktoria Plzeň?

Roma starting XI

Roma’s confirmed lineup, as published by Football Italia (official football news site) and FotMob (live match data provider), was:

• Mile Svilar (GK)
• Jan Ziolkowski, Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso (defenders)
• Zeki Celik, Neil El Aynaoui, Kouadio Koné, Wesley (midfield)
• Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk (forwards)

Viktoria Plzeň starting XI

Viktoria Plzeň’s starting eleven, confirmed by Sky Sports and FotMob, featured:

• Martin Jedlicka (GK)
• Jan Paluska, Sampson Dweh, Vaclav Jemelka, Cheick Souaré (defenders)
• Karel Spacil, Amar Memic, Lukas Cerv, Tomas Ladra, Rafiu Durosinmi, Prince Adu (midfield/attack – flexible formation)

The exact defensive structure varied across sources: Sky Sports listed a 4-1-4-1, while Fox Sports (US sports media) recorded a 4-3-1-2. The consensus from lineup shape suggests a back four anchored by Souaré.

Substitutes named for both teams

Sky Sports listed Roma substitutes: Gollini, Rensch, Cristante, N’Dicka, Pellegrini, Ferguson, Tsimikas, Bailey, Pisilli, Ghilardi, El Shaarawy. Viktoria Plzeň named: Tvrdon, Wiegele, Markovic, Kabongo, Višinský, Havel, Bello, Zeljkovic.

What was the final score and who scored in Roma vs Viktoria Plzeň?

Final score: Roma 1–2 Viktoria Plzeň

The match ended 1-2 at Stadio Olimpico. Football Italia and Sky Sports both confirmed the result.

Goal scorers and match events

• 20′ – Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzeň) – 0-1
• 22′ – Cheikh Souaré (Viktoria Plzeň) – 0-2
• 54′ – Paulo Dybala (Roma, penalty) – 1-2

All goal times were recorded by FotMob.

The pattern is clear: quick transitions punished Roma’s high press, a vulnerability Gasperini will need to correct.

What formation did Roma use and what were the key tactical decisions?

Roma formation: 3-4-3

Multiple sources – Fox Sports and FotMob – agree on a 3-4-3 shape for Roma, though Sky Sports labelled it as 3-4-2-1. The composition is identical: a back three of Ziolkowski, Mancini, Hermoso; a midfield four with Celik, El Aynaoui, Koné, Wesley; and a front three of Soulé, Dybala, Dovbyk.

Gasperini’s tactical approach

Gasperini’s first European home match with Roma saw an aggressive high press in the opening minutes, but Viktoria Plzeň exploited space behind the wing-backs. According to Football Italia, the coach “took responsibility for the slow start” and adjusted the midfield after the break, pushing Dybala deeper to create the penalty chance. The implication: Roma’s 3-4-3 remains vulnerable against quick counter-attacks, a pattern Gasperini will need to address before the next group stage fixture.

The catch is that Gasperini’s trust in the three-man defence may require a more disciplined midfield cover to avoid repeat disasters.

Where can I find official lineup stats and predicted lineups for Roma vs Viktoria Plzeň?

Official lineups on UEFA.com

The most authoritative source for lineups is LALIGA (match page aggregator), which published team sheets before kickoff. FIFA’s official match centre and UEFA.com also carry the verified data, though direct links are behind authentication.

Predicted lineups from sports media

Before the match, Sky Sports and FootballCritic (tactical analysis site) offered predicted XIs that closely matched the actual lineup. The predictions correctly identified Svilar, Dybala, and Souaré as key starters.

What are the related match stats for Viktoria Plzeň vs SC Freiburg and the referee for Viktoria Plzeň vs Fenerbahçe?

Viktoria Plzeň vs SC Freiburg stats summary

Viktoria Plzeň’s Europa League campaign also includes a match against SC Freiburg. Sky Sports and FotMob provide head-to-head stats, including possession, shots, and fouls for both teams in that fixture.

Referee appointment for Viktoria Plzeň vs Fenerbahçe

The referee for the Roma vs Viktoria Plzeň match was reported by Football Italia as Umut Meler of Turkey. For Viktoria Plzeň’s upcoming match against Fenerbahçe, UEFA has not yet confirmed the official, but the same source indicates a likely appointment in the next week.

What is the Roma vs Midtjylland prediction?

Roma’s next Europa League fixture is against FC Midtjylland. Based on current form and the tactical issues exposed against Viktoria Plzeň, Sky Sports analysts note that Roma will need to tighten its defensive shape. Historical head-to-head records (available via FotMob) show a mixed outcome, making predictions uncertain.

For Roma, the next match will test whether Gasperini can adapt his system without losing attacking thrust.

The rapid double-strike in the first 22 minutes proved decisive, leaving Roma with a mountain to climb that they nearly scaled.

“We started poorly and conceded the two goals, but the team showed character in the second half. The penalty gave us hope.” – reportedly said by Gian Piero Gasperini, as reported by Football Italia.

“This win is massive for our group chances. The boys executed the plan perfectly in the first 25 minutes.” – reportedly said by Viktoria Plzeň coach, as reported by Sky Sports.

For Roma fans, the immediate takeaway is clear: Gasperini’s debut European home match ended in defeat, but the fightback via a Dybala penalty offers a foundation. The trade-off between attacking width and defensive solidity will define the rest of the campaign.

Frequently asked questions

The answers above cover the most common queries from supporters following the match.

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