Today, HJK will face AS Roma in the group stage of the Europa League in Rome. The match starts at 22:00 Finnish time.
ROME. As the sun set on Wednesday evening in Rome, the traditional anthem of the Champions League was already roaring for a while.
A local tested the sound system at the Stadio Olimpico and got ahead of things in the process. The Champions League will not be played in the same arena on Thursday night, but Roma’s place is still one step lower in the Europa League for the time being.
Opposite is Helsinki Football Club, whose press conference on the eve of the game attracted exactly one representative from the local media. The huge Mediasali therefore remained in practice for the use of a few Finns. The head coach Toni Koskela and defender Jukka Raitala answered questions in peace before the team’s practice on Thursday’s playing field.
– As a coach, I’m quite young and at the beginning of my path, and only another European game is coming up. This is an important game, and a fantastic place to measure the level and try out how we can challenge even the pre-favorite, Koskela said.
20 kilometers further south, a completely different kind of circus was seen earlier in the day. A group of fans flocked to AS Roma’s training center already three hours before training started. If the car turning to the gate stopped for too long, it was quickly followed by fans shouting with their phone in one hand and their jersey in the other. Even a couple of entire families followed the gate traffic from their air-conditioned cars, dressed in fan merchandise, hoping to get close to the players.
Roma’s media team, on the other hand, were surprised that the Finnish media were interested in its press conference far from the city center and almost an hour’s drive away from the Stadio Olimpico. The club’s training center is its own quiet village, where nothing but the representative team and the media could be seen or heard this time.
Behind the table tinted with burgundy colors sat the head coach of the hosts in a t-shirt and shorts, ready for training in 28 degree slush.
– Some may think that HJK is an easy opponent. In my eyes this is not an easy match, Jose Mourinho said as he began to ease the pressure on the team’s shoulders in his usual style.
Roma are in good positions in Serie A, just one point away from the top. In recent weeks, however, injuries have limited the player material and the results have been more volatile.
On top of that, Roma lost their first Euro game in Bulgaria. The result was not seen or heard much on Wednesday. The Italian media was more interested in the team’s long-term process.
– HJK’s match against Real Betis could have ended differently. Northern European clubs have developed in recent years. They have always been good physically, but now they are also better technically, Mourinho estimated.
Last week, HJK lost at home to the Spanish Real Betis 0–2. Mourinho praised HJK head coach Toni Koskela.
– I have paid attention to their coach. When the team plays well and with a clear style, it is the result of a good coach.
Koskela took the situation calmly. The words of Mourinho, who ran his own media game from one giant club to another, were warm, but did not make him open his jacket.
– Of course it’s flattering, because it’s a coaching legend who has won everything and been at the very top for more than 20 years. However, in this business, you shouldn’t really listen to what is being said around you, but focus on everyday work and preparation.
Mourinho’s first season in Roma started a clear upswing. Even then, the European games didn’t go quite as well, but Roma suffered a shock defeat away in Norway in the Conference League and ended up drawing at home as well. However, the tournament ended with Roma’s championship, which now earned a place in the Europa League.
In the summer, important reinforcements were brought to the capital, the most consistent star player at the beginning of the season, recruited from Juventus Paulo Dybala.
– They want the ball in as big a space as possible for three very high-quality attacking players who have a lot of quality to solve. After the defeat, they have the desire to produce an initial shock in a full stadium. We are preparing for the press coming from everywhere. The biggest threat is in changes of situation or when they get a lured opponent higher, Koskela evaluates the tactical setup.
The high expectations of the Romans are reflected in a series of sold-out home matches. Thursday’s HJK concert is scheduled to be Roman’s fifth consecutive full house, i.e. an evening with around 60,000 spectators. More than 200 Finnish supporters are coming to the place. That too is apt to reflect the settings.
– Roma is the overwhelming pre-favourite, but we have good confidence from the many good elements of the Betis game. The important thing is not to be afraid, but to be brave and accept whatever comes from there, Raitala said.
The Koskela team will therefore get into the eye of the storm in one of the most significant matches in their history – maybe even literally, because the current weather forecast promises heavy rain and even thunder in Rome on Thursday.
Read also:
Jose Mourinho impressed with HJK and praises Toni Koskela: “I like their team”
Lucas Lingman, who made a splash in Huuhkaj, ran into a significant problem in Sweden – reveals why he asked for a transfer back to HJK
HJK’s fight was not enough against Real Betis – The club’s defender reveals the most talked about situation of the evening: “The guy said he dived”