The lackluster performance of the yellow-reds coupled with the Friedkin’s presence in the Maldives resulted in a draw match with the Belgian team. Mac Allister’s goal offsets Mancini’s, leaving fans in suspense.

Mancini’s goal initially paints a promising picture but it’s not enough. An abysmal Roma couldn’t manage more than a 1-1 draw against Union Saint Gilloise on the road (levelled by Mac Allister). Juric’s position continues to hang precariously in the balance. The Croatian sets up the team with a three-man defense but without Ndicka and Hermoso, it’s Cristante who takes the rear. Mats Hummels is only on the bench as he continues with his challenging time of settling into the Capital and inexplicable conflict with the coach. In the midfield, the dynamic duo of Le Fée and Koné take center stage, with Celik and El Shaarawy patrolling the flanks. Ahead, a rest rotation for Dovbyk, stepping in his place is Shomurodov complemented by Pellegrini and Baldanzi. The home team continues on the offensive, and just five minutes in they pounce on a fresh opportunity, with Niang dispatching a loose ball in the penalty area high over the crossbar. After 12 minutes, Roma enters the fray, with Baldanzi trying his luck with a right-footed shot, only for it to be parried away by the home team’s goalkeeper. However, everything comes to a halt for an initial offside by Shomurodov. The Union is showing more prowess in this start, and after 17 minutes, they find another opportunity with Sykes’s headshot, which narrowly misses with Svilar beaten. At the half-hour mark of the game, Mancini falls in the penalty area for Union, complaining of an (evident) contact with Machida. However, for the referee, there’s nothing amiss, despite the vehement and justified protests from the yellow-and-reds. A short while later, a jolt from Pellegrini as he attempts a right-footed volley, although it’s too straightforward (easily captured by Moris). After another opportunity in the 39th minute for the home team (once again featuring Niang), the referee sends everyone into the locker rooms with a score of 0-0, but with Roma struggling and especially lacking in offensive impact. Roma also makes an appearance in Moris’ area with a header from Shomurodov to cap off an excellent move started by the Uzbek himself and orchestrated by Koné, El Shaaarawy and Pellegrini. The best opportunity of the match is on the feet of Tommaso Baldanzi who centers it and releases a perfect left-footed shot that, however, smashes against the post to the right of Moris. Rome inches closer to gaining the advantage with the former Empoli player. In the 58th minute, a great opportunity arises for Union Saint Gilloise who gives Khalaili a clear shot at goal. However, the Israeli was hypnotized by Svilar who saves Roma – the play coming to a standstill due to an offside position. Roma appears transformed with the introduction of Pisilli and Dovbyk (in place of Le Fée and Shomurodov) and a few minutes later, the game was unlocked with a header from Gianluca Mancini. He was quick to react to a clumsy move by Moris, sending the ball into the net – thanks to an assist by Pellegrini. A goal was confirmed after a VAR check analyzed any irregularities in the leap of the golden-red central player. After a good moment for Juric’s golden-red team, at the 76th minute, the equalizer arrived for Union Saint Gilloise with a header from Mac Allister. He got ahead of Celik and beat Svilar, who was on the ground after an incidental contact. Available: Chambaere, Imbrechts, Van der Perre, Castro-Montes, Lapoussin, Ramussen Leysen, Rodriguez, Kabangu, Ait El Hadj, Terho, Berradi. Coach: Pocognoli. ROME (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Cristante, Angeliño; Celik, Koné, Le Fée (subbed at 55′ with Pisilli), El Shaarawy (subbed at 79′ with Zalewski); Pellegrini, Baldanzi (subbed at 79′ with Soulé); Shomurodov (subbed at 55′ with Dovbyk). Available substitutes: Ryan, Marin, Abdulhamid, Zalewski, Hummels, Paredes, Soulé, Pisilli, Dybala, Dovbyk. Coach: Juric.

Scorers: 62′ Mancini (R), 76′ Mac Allister (U)

Booked: Shomurodov (R), Celik (R)

Referee: Brisard. Assistants: Auger-Pages. Fourth Man: Vernice. Referee: Delajod. Assistant Referee: Lissorgue.