European Competitions: Ranieri’s Roma Reborn in London, Lazio Stumbles, Fiorentina Shines

Hummels equalizes in the 90th minute after a stellar Roma performance; Lazio held to a goalless draw at home, while Fiorentina secures another Conference League win

Thursday’s European matches showcased a revitalized Roma under Claudio Ranieri. Facing a formidable Tottenham side in top form, the challenge seemed insurmountable, but the Giallorossi delivered an almost flawless performance. With grit and determination, they matched the relentless pace set by Son and his teammates, making for a thrilling encounter. The match was brimming with chances, including shots hitting the woodwork and three disallowed Roma goals for offside. It was the kind of exciting football Roma fans had long been missing, brought back to life by Ranieri’s leadership, tactical choices, and personality—earning him praise even in England. This rejuvenated Roma, leaving behind the lethargy of the Juric era, showed a fighting spirit on the pitch. The return of key player Saelemaekers hints at potential success in Serie A as well, though their next test against Atalanta looms as a daunting challenge.

Lazio, on the other hand, experienced a slight setback at home against Ludogorets. A goalless draw may be forgiven for a team performing strongly in Serie A and until yesterday, the only club with a perfect Europa League record. Coach Marco Baroni will likely use this minor stumble to rally his squad for future challenges.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina continued their strong form in the Conference League with a 3-2 victory over Pafos. The scoreline doesn’t fully reflect the match, as the Viola dominated for much of the game and maintained a comfortable two-goal lead for the majority of the contest.

Guglielmo Timpano

Guglielmo Timpano

Graduated in Political Science. Freelance journalist. Radio speaker. Television host. Lover of sports, history, and animals: to combine them all in one go, the dream would be to cover a dinosaur football tournament.