Celik not enough, Roma draws 1-1 at home to Porto

OPORTO (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – Roma returned from the trip to Porto with a 1-1 draw in their pocket that bodes well for next week’s return trip to the Olimpico. Against Porto, in fact, the Capitolini played an excellent test from the point of view of play and attention, even holding out for more than twenty minutes in a numerical inferiority. Claudio Ranieri, compared to the match against Venezia, confirms the defense trio with Celik, Mancini and N’Dicka, while on the three-quarter Pellegrini is back after three consecutive benches; at his side Dybala, the only point Dovbyk. Good start for the Giallorossi, who show themselves with attempts by Dovbyk and Pellegrini, without luck, while Porto responds with a chance blown away by an errant pass from Samu for Mora. On 20′, Varela fouled Dybala, who suffered a hard blow to the knee: an episode that affected the Argentine’s match, who was forced to surrender on 39′, leaving Baldanzi in his place. In between, a chance for the Capitolini after a triangulation between Angelino and Pellegrini, with the latter going for a shot without bothering Costa. When everyone seemed ready to go back into the locker room, the Giallorossi took the lead through Celik: Baldanzi recovered the ball and served Salemaekers, who looked for Dovbyk; cross intercepted, and the Turkish defender was the quickest to pounce on the loose ball.
The second half began with Pisilli and El Shaarawy on the pitch in place of Konè and Saelemaekers, both of whom were cautioned. The Capitolini attacked well in the opponent’s half, moving the ball and filling the box well. Costa is alert on attempts by Pisilli and Cristante. After a corner kick ended with a shot by Angelino on the bottom, the Portuguese goalkeeper quickly returns the ball with a very long throw to find Pepe. The outfielder was closed down by the return of Roma’s defense, but Moura’s shot in tow found Baldanzi’s deflection that mocked Svilar: it was 1-1 at 67′. The game became even more complicated five minutes later when Cristante received his second caution for a naive hold on Vieira. At this point, the inertia of the match inevitably changes. Porto takes courage and closes Roma in its own three-quarter. The Giallorossi, however, work well and defend effectively, risking relatively little. It ends 1-1, in a week’s time the return match at the Olimpico.
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).