A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( xxix )
7 MARCH 2024 -
AS ROMA 4 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 -
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16, FIRST LEG - at the STADIO OLIMPICO, ROME.
The Albion headed to the eternal city to take on AS Roma in a UEFA Europa League, Round of 16, First Leg encounter at the Stadio Olimpico, the game being covered "live" by the TNT Sports cameras and broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Last time out the Seagulls had lost 0-3 at Fulham in the Premier on the 2 March and for the visit to Rome Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made six changes to his starting line-up from the Fulham game, with Igor Julio, Billy Gilmour, Pascal Gross, Facundo Buonanotte, Simon Adingra and Danny Welbeck replacing Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Carlos Baleba, Pervis Estupinan, Adam Lallana and Evan Ferguson.
Steeped in European football history, Roma had recently parted company with Manager Jose Mourinho and appointed former player Daniele De Rossi in his place. The change had brought about a change of results and Roma were now the "form" team in Serie A. Stand out players for Roma were playmaker Paulo Dybala and striker Romelu Lukaka, on loan from Chelsea. On the substitutes bench was former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling. Out injured was former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.
With 3500 fans behind them, the Albion faced a cauldron of noise from a sold-out Stadio Olimpico. Albion keeper Jason Steele was called into action early on, tipping Romelu Lukaka's goal-bound header over the bar and at the other end Simon Adingra's deflected shot struck a post. However, on 13 minutes Leandro Parades lofted pass over the Albion's back-line saw Paulo Dybala time his run to perfection before rounding keeper Steele, then slotting the ball into the vacant net. A VAR check confirmed the validity of the goal. 0-1.
The Seagulls bravely fought their way into the game and Danny Welbeck's bullet header drew a brilliant save from Roma keeper Mile Svilar. On 43 minutes the Albion fell further behind when a long ball out of Roma's defence was mis-controlled by Lewis Dunk and which enabled Lukaka to run clear and place a low-shot past the helpless Steele. 0-2.
There was still time for the Seagulls to go close when another Welbeck header saw keeper Svilar make another superb save in tipping the ball over the bar.
Half-time 0-2.
Ansu Fati replaced Julio Enciso at half-time and substitute Fati saw his shot saved by keeper Svilar. Minutes later keeper Steele made a fine save to deflect Lukaka's header. On 64 minutes Roma's third goal arrived when Stephan El Shaarawy's cross was converted by the stretching Gianluca Mancini. 0-3. Four minutes later Roma were out of sight as another El Shaarawy cross was met by Bryan Cristante who netted with a finely-placed header. 0-4.
To their credit Seagulls continued to attack and further chances were spurned by Dunk and Tariq Lamptey. A tough night for the Albion at the Stadio Olimpico.
Final-score 0-4.
Match stats:
Albion had 11 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
AS Roma had 14 attempts at goal, with 7 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 5.
TO SUM UP -
It was no Roman holiday for the Seagulls as they were taught a tough European football lesson by Roma on the night. The Albion defence conceded preventable goals and up front the forwards missed some good chances which came their way. The Albion would be looking for a miracle result in the return leg at the Amex on the 14 March.
You never know!
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; Tariq Lamptey, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Igor Julio (Pervis Estupinan 75); Billy Gilmour (Carlos Baleba 81), Pascal Gross; Facundo Buonanotte (Joel Veltman 75), Julio Enciso (Ansu Fati 46), Simon Adingra; Danny Welbeck (Evan Ferguson 81).
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G/K), Adam Webster, Adam Lallana, Jakub Moder. Tom McGill (G/K), Cameron Peupion, Benicio Baker-Boaltey.
AS Roma line-up (4-3-3):- Mile Svilar; Zeki Celik, Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, Leonardo Spinazzola (Diego Llorente 82); Bryan Cristante (Capt), Leandro Paredes (Edoardo Bove 72), Lorenzo Pellegrini; Paulo Dybala (Tommaso Baldanzi 72), Romelu Lukaka (Sardar Azmoun 88), Stephan El Shaarawy (Nicola Zalewski 88).
Subs not used: Rui Patricio (G/K), Rick Karsdorp, Chris Smalling, Renato Sanches, Houssem Aouar, Pietro Boer (G/K), Jose Angelino.
Referee: Francois Letexier (France).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Tariq Lamptey, Jan Paul Van Hecke. AS Roma: 1 - Leonardo Spinazzola.
Possession: Albion - 60%. AS Roma - 40%.
BBC Sport Joint Players of the Match: Lorenzo Pellegrini and Romelu Lukaka (AS Roma).
Attendance: 64877.