ROME (ITALPRESS) – Roma beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg match of the Europa League round of 16. After Inaki Williams’ lead, Claudio Ranieri’s team equalized with Angelino and took advantage of numerical superiority (Yeray sent off in the 85th minute) with Shomurodov’s 94′ goal.
A result that repays the Giallorossi in light of the many missed chances. The first one came from Dovbyk on 21′: the Ukrainian took advantage of a throw from Pisilli and in the box set up Vivian (who got injured and gave way to Paredes), but slipped before hitting the net with his right. Good fortune did not help the Giallorossi: in 42′ Baldanzi won a duel in the box and worked a ball for Dybala, who kicked first-time hitting the crossbar. In the end of the first half Athletic appeared twice in Svilar’s sides: first with an inaccurate header by Yeray in 43′, then with a deflection to the side by Sannadi in 46′.
It was the dress rehearsal for the Basque lead early in the second half. On the development of a corner kick and a Paredes spurt, Inaki Williams pops in at the second post and beats Svilar. The reaction, however, is immediate: Dybala breaks free in the box and serves Baldanzi, who opts for a power solution but kicks high over the crossbar. The 1-1 is postponed at 56′: Celik runs down the right and crosses low into the box, where Angelino with the help of the woodwork scores his fourth goal of the season. On the stroke of the hour Ranieri unleashed the heavy artillery: out came Baldanzi and Rensch, in came El Shaarawy and Saelemaekers. Roma, however, fails to raise the tempo and take control of the game. At 71′ Dybala and Dovbyk are also recalled to the bench, giving way to Soulè and Shomurodov.
Reigniting the stadium was the referee, who at the 85th minute drew the second yellow for Yeray for a hold on Shomurodov. The Stadio Olimpico pushes, Roma as well, and it is the Uzbek who makes it 2-1 with a left-footed shot on Saelemaekers’ feed. Roma will have to defend the lead on Thursday, March 13 at San Mamès.
– photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
