Kovács to Referee Roma-Bologna Europa League Return Leg

The Romanian referee István Kovács will take charge of Thursday's Europa League Round of 16 second-leg clash between Roma and Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico. With the first leg ending 1-1 at the Dall'Ara, the match will determine which Italian side progresses to the quarterfinals.

Kovács's Record with Roma

Istvan Kovacs, 42, has established a strong history with Roma in European competition. His most memorable moment came on May 25, 2022, when he officiated the Conference League final in Tirana, where Roma defeated Feyenoord 1-0. That night marked the club's first European trophy in over a decade.

The Romanian referee has been entrusted with Roma matches on multiple occasions in European competitions, establishing consistency in UEFA's officiating choices for the club. His appointment underscores the importance UEFA places on this all-Italian Europa League encounter.

The Match Official Team

Joining Kovács on Thursday will be compatriot assistant referees Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi, with Szabolcs Kovacs (no relation) serving as the fourth official. Portuguese official Tiago Martins will handle VAR duties, supported by Belgian AVAR Bram Van Driessche. The appointment of this experienced VAR team reflects UEFA's commitment to proper oversight of the match.

Match Details

Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 CET on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Stadio Olimpico. Italian fans can watch on Sky Sport (channels 252, 4K, and Uno) or stream via NOW TV and Sky Go Italia.

Roma enters the match at home with the aggregate scoreline tied at 1-1, while Bologna will look to advance through the Europa League competition. Both Serie A clubs have performed well this season and will be eager to secure their place in the continental quarterfinals.