Despite reminiscing their fans of Jose Mourinho’s days, Daniele De Rossi’s Roma secured qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals for the second season running. Having tucked themselves in the comforts of a 4-0 first-leg lead, Giallorossi had zero attacking ambitions as Brighton & Hove Albion claimed a futile 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium.
After a rampant performance at the Stadio Olimpico, the Italians’ berth in the Europa League last eight was a mere formality. And De Rossi’s men acted like that as they relinquished their offensive-minded football in East Sussex, focusing on holding Brighton at bay.
Roma endured the siege in the opening 30 minutes, but when it looked like they would take a 0-0 score into the break, Danny Welbeck lighted up the Amex with a superb curler from the edge of the box. The veteran forward unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner to give Brighton a well-deserved lead.
But even though Roberto De Zerbi’s side never lost hope of overhauling a substantial deficit, Roma stood firm. Young goalkeeper Mile Svilar ran the show in the second half with numerous spectacular saves to help the Serie A top-four hopefuls avoid a dramatic finish.
That doesn’t change the fact Roma looked like the side led by Mourinho until not long ago. Whether it was De Rossi’s tactical choice or just complacency, the visitors can’t be proud of tonight’s performance.
Let’s look at our Roma ratings.
Roma (4-3-3)
Mile Svilar – 7.5
Undoubtedly Roma’s best player tonight! The Serbian stopper pulled off several eye-catching saves beyond halftime to preserve the Italians’ handsome lead.
Zeki Celik – 6
Merely a shadow of a player who picked Brighton’s defensive lineup in the first leg! Apart from a near-anonymous attacking showing, he struggled at the back.
Evan Ndick – 6
Similarly to Celik, the Ivorian center-back suffered a lot against Welbeck and looked in discomfort when asked to help his side build from the back.
Gianluca Mancini – 5.5
Back to his natural position after playing as a right-back against Fiorentina, the Italian delivered arguably his worst performance under De Rossi.
Leonard Spinazzola – 6.5
Roma’s conservative approach took its toll as the attacking-minded left-back spent most of the game coping with Adam Lallana – successfully for the best part.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 6.5
Perhaps the only Roma midfielder capable of holding possession under pressure tonight!
Edoardo Bove – 6
Despite his tremendous defensive effort, the youngster never gained a foothold in the game, barely seeing the ball the whole night.
Bryan Cristane – 6
Like his abovementioned colleague, the experienced midfielder was nowhere to be seen in the build-up phase but worked tirelessly to add an extra layer of protection to his defense.
Tommaso Baldanzi – 5.5
De Rossi might have expected more from the young gun in his first start for Roma, but one of Italy’s most highly-rated talents failed to live up to the billing.
Nicola Zalewski – 5.5
He can never be played as a winger, as showcased time and time again. Completely clueless in this position.
Sardar Azmoun – 6
Spurned Roma’s best chance of the game with another wasteful finish, but he was a rare visiting player who seemed keen to do something concrete up top.
Substitutes
Diego Llorente – 6.5
Houssem Aouar – N/A
Joao Costa – N/A
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