AS Roma vs Feyenoord Rotterdam preview - Cole: We can turn things around

Roma defender Ashley Cole hopes Thursday's Europa League game against Feyenoord will mark a turning point for his struggling side.

The Giallorossi go into the last-32 first-leg encounter at the Stadio Olimpico shortly after being held to a goalless Serie A draw by bottom side Parma.

Roma have won just one of their last six league games but remain second in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Juventus.

Cole, whose side were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Fiorentina last month, knows the Europa League may be the best chance for Roma to win silverware.

"We are disappointed we didn't win against Parma," Cole said in an interview published on Feyenoord's official website. "We are all hungry to win the Scudetto.

"But the Europa League is a major trophy and in this competition, you do play against big teams.

"We are looking forward to Thursday's game.

"We need to turn our season around now and hopefully Thursday will be that game.

"We need to change our results, but it's going to be a tough game."

Roma failed to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League and are without a win in their last five European games.b

Feyenoord have also endured a disappointing sequence of domestic results.

The Rotterdam club's 2-0 loss at Heracles on Saturday was their second defeat in the last three league games and kept them third in the Eredivisie standings.

Furthermore, Fred Rutten's men have won just one of their last five games against Italian opponents.

While Feyenoord have not been at their best of late, the Europa League was a breath of fresh air in the autumn.

They ended their 10-game winless away run in continental competitions with a 3-0 triumph at Standard Liege in their final Group G game.

Roma are without six injured players, including Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman.

Giallorossi captain Francesco Totti has recovered from influenza and is expected to start alongside Miralem Pjanic in attack.

Feyenoord are without defender Sven van Beek, who sustained a knee injury at the weekend, while winger Elvis Manu is also sidelined with a groin injury.

Roma, coached by Rudi Garcia, travel to Rotterdam for the return leg on February 26.