In a nail-biting encounter at the Olimpico Stadium, AS Roma clinched a hard-fought victory over Feyenoord in the Europa League, prevailing 5-3 in the penalty shootout after a tense 1-1 draw in regular time.
The match, marked by its intensity and drama, saw both teams battling fiercely for supremacy. Feyenoord took an early lead with Gimenez’s goal in the 5th minute, putting Roma on the back foot. However, Roma responded with determination, and Pellegrini equalized in the 17th minute, injecting renewed energy into the game.
As the match progressed, neither side could break the deadlock, leading to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. The tension soared as each penalty taker stepped up to the spot, with the fate of their team hanging in the balance.
Roma’s hero of the night was goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who delivered a stellar performance, making crucial saves and denying Feyenoord’s attempts. Svilar’s exceptional goalkeeping skills came to the forefront as he blocked two penalty shots, including an important save against Hancko and a pivotal stop against Jahanbaksh.
Despite a miss from Romelu Lukaku, Roma held their nerve, with Paredes, Cristante, Aouar, and ultimately Zalewski all converting their penalties flawlessly. Zalewski’s decisive spot-kick sealed Roma’s victory and propelled them into the Europa League round of 16.
The thrilling triumph for Roma sets the stage for an exciting clash with Torino on Monday at 6:30 PM local time, as they aim to carry their winning momentum forward in Serie A.
Player Ratings – Pellegrini’s Magic, Svilar’s Spotlight, Zalewski’s Composure
In a thrilling encounter at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma overcame Feyenoord in a tense penalty shootout to secure their spot in the next round of the Europa League. Here’s how the players fared:
Svilar 8 – Stood tall between the posts and made crucial saves, including two penalty stops in the shootout, proving instrumental in Roma’s victory.
Karsdorp 6 – Was caught out on occasion but provided attacking impetus down the right flank. Substituted in the second half.
Mancini 6.5 – Solid defensive display, although caught out of position at times. Stood firm under pressure.
Llorente 6 – Held up play well but lacked sharpness in front of goal. Contributed defensively when needed. Substituted late in the game.
Spinazzola 6.5 – Solid defensively and a threat going forward. Substituted in extra time.
Cristante 6.5 – Controlled the midfield and came close to scoring with a well-taken penalty.
Paredes 6.5 – Dictated play in midfield and provided defensive cover when required. Converted his penalty with authority.
Pellegrini 7 – Scored a stunning equalizer and provided creativity throughout the game. Substituted in the second half.
Dybala 6.5 – Showed flashes of brilliance and linked up play effectively. Substituted in extra time.
Lukaku 6 – Battled hard up front but lacked cutting edge in front of goal. Missed a late chance to win the game.
El Shaarawy 6.5 – Unfortunate own goal but redeemed himself with an assist for Pellegrini’s goal. Substituted in extra time.
Zalewski (Substitute) 6 – Came on as a substitute and showed composure to score the decisive penalty.
Daniele De Rossi (Manager) 7 – Inspired his team to a hard-fought victory with passion and determination.
Despite the ups and downs, Roma showed character to come out on top in a thrilling encounter against Feyenoord, progressing to the next round of the Europa League.
