Interviews

Gross would love to be Albion's gladiator in Rome

Midfielder says his teammates will relish the big occasion in the Stadio Olimpico

By Bruce Talbot • 07 March 2024

By Paul Hazlewood
Pascal Gross would love his first game in the Stadio Olimpico to be a special one.

Pascal Gross loves Rome and one of his favourite films is Gladiator, but he has arrived in the Italian capital with one thing on his mind – to help Albion make more history of their own.

Tonight’s Europa League round 16 first leg against AS Roma is the club’s first knockout game in Europe with a second leg to come at the Amex next Thursday.

“It’s a new frontier for the club but also I think we’ve already written history with our first knockout tie in Europe,” said the German midfielder before he trained at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday evening. 

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion trained in the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night ahead of their Round of 16 tie.

“It hasn’t been easy to get here with a tough group. We will be humble but we have a lot of confidence and we’re looking forward to the game.

“I think Rome is a beautiful city, and I like it a lot and Gladiators is one of my favourite movies.

“But it’s even nicer to be here for the game – we’re really excited about it.”