ROME (ITALPRESS) – Roma is in the round of 16 of the Europa League in the sign of Paulo Dybala: the Argentine is the absolute matador with a double and many illuminating plays in the 3-2 with which the Giallorossi beat Porto, after the 1-1 away draw last week. Ranieri changes little compared to the first leg and only for reasons of force majeure: here, therefore, are El Shaarawy and Paredes in place of the disqualified Saelemaekers and Cristante, as well as Shomurodov in place of Dovbyk, who stopped in the refinement due to adductor pain. In the first minutes, as in the first leg, Dybala suffers a bad intervention, this time by Otavio, but without consequences for the Argentine. And, just like in the Do Dragao match, it is Roma that plays the game, with headers off the mark from Pellegrini and Shomurodov. But it was the guests who took the lead in 27′: it all started with a dastardly pass from Svilar for Paredes, who slipped; the defense failed to clear and Samu found a great backhanded goal. Dybala sounds the charge for his team, turning the result around in a few minutes: in 35′, after a triangle with Shomurodov, he beats Costa with a delightful outside touch, and then repeats in 39′ with a sharp shot at the first post. Also from his feet, on 42′, came Mancini’s header parried by Costa, with Otavio then rebounding twice on N’Dicka. The game went even further downhill for Roma early in the second half: Paredes teased Eustaquio, who reacted with a shot to the chest. Called to on-field review, Letexier could only expel the Porto player, also cautioning the Giallorossi midfielder. Roma tried to take advantage immediately, but Shomurodov from a few steps missed the winning tap-in after a deflection by Dybala. In 69′, Porto came close to equalizing with Samu, who hit the post after sprinting deep on a long throw from Costa. It’s the signal that the Capitolini must close the game to avoid surprises. And in the 83rd minute here’s the third goal: the usual Dybala lights up for Angelino, who puts in a precise cross for the insertion of Pisilli who signs the 3-1. With time largely expired, there is also time for Rensch’s unfortunate own goal on Borges’ cross. Now Roma awaits the outcome of tomorrow’s draw: it will be Euroderby with Lazio or challenge Athletic Bilbao.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
