Early to celebrate, second leg awaits — Eldor Shomurodov

Uzbekistan national team and AS Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov has emphasized the need to stay focused despite the victory over Athletic Bilbao, stating that the upcoming return leg requires serious attention. Speaking during a post-match interview after Roma’s Europa League Round of 16 first-leg win, Shomurodov shared his thoughts on the match and the challenges ahead.

"The most important thing is that we won. I’m happy to have scored today, but it’s still too early to celebrate because the second leg is ahead," said Shomurodov. "We move as a family, and every player must feel like a crucial part of the team. When there’s trust, the results will follow."

Shomurodov also addressed preparations for the upcoming matches, highlighting the importance of consistent focus. He noted that starting from the next day, the team would begin preparing for their weekend game against Empoli, followed by the return leg in Spain. He acknowledged the challenges of playing away against Athletic Bilbao but assured that the team would aim for victory.

The second leg between Athletic and Roma is scheduled to take place on March 13 at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.

As a reminder, on the night of March 7, Roma hosted Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 and secured a 2-1 victory. Shomurodov, who came on as a substitute, scored a crucial goal that handed his team the win.