Roma and Feyenoord played out one of the most enthralling matches in this season’s Europa League as the Italians reached the semi-finals after extra time. Following a 1-0 first-leg defeat in Rotterdam last week, the Giallorossi pulled off a stunning 4-1 home win to progress as 4-2 aggregate winners.
Despite a morale-boosting 3-0 thumping of Udinese at the weekend, Roma experienced a sluggish start to the game. Jose Mourinho’s men needed an early goal to bring the tie back to square one. But with Tammy Abraham and Paulo Dybala on the bench, the Giallorossi struggled to create many meaningful chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Indeed, they looked up the creek without a paddle as Feyenoord wasted several decent-looking opportunities to put this quarter-final contest beyond Roma’s reach. The visitors had several penalty appeals in the first half, but referee Anthony Taylor had none of it, helping the home side tick over through some scary moments.
Though the hosts’ performance flattered to deceive, Roma grabbed an all-important first goal through Leonardo Spinazzola on the hour mark. However, Mourinho’s conservative approach after leveling the score backfired on the Giallorossi as Feyenoord fought back through second-half substitute Igor Paixao in the 80th minute.
Roma needed a late hero and it showed up in the form of Dybala. The Argentine came off the bench to lend his side a helping hand with a spectacular goal in the 89th minute when it looked like the Dutch team could be on the verge of knocking the Giallorossi out. Even though all signs pointed to a closely-contested extra-time battle, Mourinho’s side went from strength to strength to qualify for the semis.
Second-half substitute Stephan El Shaarawy slotted home an inch-perfect passage of play to give Roma a 3-1 lead in the 101st minute before captain Lorenzo Pellegrini latched on the rebound to kill the tie off eight minutes later. They will take on Bayer Leverkusen in a mouth-watering semi-final.
Roma (5-4-1):
Rui Patricio -7
Pulled off several decent saves in the first half to keep Roma in the game. Powerless to stop Feyenoord from restoring parity.
Chris Smalling – 7
Another rock-solid defensive performance from the 33-year-old as he plugged all holes in front of Patricio’s goal.
Diego Llorente – 5.5
Had some shaky moments, especially in possession, and was almost guilty of giving away a cheap penalty in the first half. Gradually improved as the match progressed.
Gianluca Mancini – 6.5
Virtually unplayable in the air, the Italian made light work of Santiago Gimenez, one of the most in-demand young strikers. Won almost every aerial ball coming his way.
Nicola Zalewski – 4
After a relatively quiet first-half showing, displayed glimpses of his attacking potential in the second period. Not one of his best nights, even though one of his crosses almost led to Roma’s opener a minute into the second half.
Leonardo Spinazzola – 6.5
Despite enjoying plenty of the ball on the left-hand side, failed to influence the game, as his crossing let him down time after time. Spurned too many one-on-ones against Lutsharel Geertruida but redeemed himself with a much-needed deadlock-breaker.
Bryan Cristante – 6
Did all the dirty work in the middle of the park but struggled to make his presence visible in the attacking third.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 7
Amends for a wasted penalty in the first leg were on the cards, but the captain couldn’t gain a foothold in the match all night long. Neither set-piece delivery found its mark. But redeemed himself with a tie-defining goal in extra time.
Nemanja Matic – 7
Calm and composed in possession, providing stability to the Roma midfield with his experience and almost-perfect decision-making.
Georginio Wijnaldum – N/A
Cannot catch a break this season. Less than two weeks since returning to the fold from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, picked up another injury scare midway through the first half.
Andrea Belotti – 3
Handed another chance to shine in the absence of Abraham and was as useless as he was the entire season. May have given Roma more reason to ditch him at the end of the season.
Substitutes
Stephan El Shaarawy – 6.5
Slotted in for Wijnaldum but couldn’t find his feet. One wayward touch after another summed up a disappointing regulation time for the Italian winger. However, scored a crucial extra-time tap-in to justify Mourinho’s trust.
Roger Ibanez -7
Made the Roma defense look smooth after coming on.
Tammy Abraham – 7
Delivered a key assist to El Shaarawy and deserves the credit for Pellegrini’s goal.
Paulo Dybala – 8
Off the bench and on the scoresheet with one of the best goals you’ll see in this season’s Europa League. By far the best player on the pitch tonight. Absolute world class!
Zeki Celik – 6
Never stopped running but had nothing to show for it.
Marash Kumbulla – N/A
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