14 MARCH 2024 -
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 AS ROMA 0 -
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16, SECOND LEG -
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER
Trailing by four goals to nil from the first leg and in a pretty hopeless situation, the Albion welcomed AS Roma to the Amex for their UEFA Europa League - Round of 16, Second Leg tie, "live" in front of the TNT Sports cameras, the match also being broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made three changes to his starting line-up from the team which had lost 0-4 at the Stadio Olimpico on the 7 March for the Second Leg, with Bart Verbruggen, Pervis Estupinan and Adam Lallana replacing Jason Steele, Igor Julio and Facundo Buonanotte.
On the 10 March Albion had enjoyed a 1-0 home win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier.
Daniele De Rossi the AS Roma Head Coach made four changes to his starting line-up from the team which won 4-0 in Rome on the 7 March, for the second leg, with Edoardo Bove, Tommaso Baldanzi, Sardar Azmoun and Nicola Zalewski coming in for Leandro Parades, Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaka (injured) and Stephan El Shaarawy.
On the 10 March Roma had drawn 2-2 at Fiorentina in Serie A.
Needing a miracle result to enable them to remain in the competition, the Seagulls flew out of the blocks from the start and early efforts by Jan Paul Van Hecke, Billy Gilmour and Pascal Gross were either saved, blocked or miss the target. Roma then sprung into life and striker Sardar Azmoun saw his shot from distance go close and then the same player had what looked like a good goal disallowed when his overhead kick was chalked off for a high kick. On 37 minutes the Albion took the lead when Pervis Estupinan's pass found Danny Welbeck on the edge of the area and the striker composed himself before unleashing a superb right-foot shot over keeper Mile Svilar into the top of the Roma net. The Albion fans went wild with delight and the miracle was alive. 1-0. The Seagulls continued on the offensive but had to settle for a one goal advantage at the break.
Half-time 1-0.
Soon after the second-half restart, Albion made a double substitution, with Facundo Buonanotte and Ansu Fati replacing Adam Lallana and Julio Enciso. The Seagulls kept plugging away, Fati had a goal-bound effort saved by keeper Svilar and Welbeck's header missed the target. At the other end. Azmoun's snap shot grazed the post. The Albion kept trying and Svilar made a smart save in keeping out Simon Adingra's on-target header. It was all Albion, Van Hecke had two headers clear the Roma crossbar. Further Albion pressure saw Svilar keep out Igor Julio's shot and near the end Svilar made a superb save to deflect Fati's pile-driver. At the end Albion supporters gave Roberto De Zerbi and the players a standing ovation in recognition of their superb European adventure.
Final-score 1-0.
Match stats
A lbion had 21 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 15.
Roma had 8 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 1 corner, free-kicks conceded - 13.
TO SUM UP -
Albion gave it a go but couldnt get the required miracle result. Despite creating a number of good chances, all they had to show for their efforts was a superb Danny Welbeck strike. The European adventure was over but the team's first journey into Europe had been superb. Well done Albion.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Tariq Lamptey (Evan Ferguson 61), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Pervis Estupinan (Igor Julio 61); Billy Gilmour (Carlos Baleba 85), Pascal Gross; Simon Adingra, Adam Lallana (Facundo Buonanotte 53), Julio Enciso (Ansu Fati 53); Danny Welbeck.
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Adam Webster, Jakub Moder, Joel Veltman, Cameron Peupion, Benicio Baker-Boaltey, Tom McGill (G/K).
AS Roma line-up (4-3-3):- Mile Svilar; Zaki Celik, Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, Leonardo Spinazzola; Edoardo Bove, Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini (Capt); Tommaso Baldanzi (Houssem Aouar 83), Sardar Azmoun (E Costa Cesco Joao Gabriel 90+1), Nicola Zalewski (Diego Llorente 73).
Subs not used: Rui Patricio (G/K), Rick Karsdorp, Leandro Paredes, Paulo Dybala, Pietro Boer (G/K), Jose Angelino, Stephan El Shaarawy, Riccardo Pagano, Nicola Pisilli.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany).
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 3 - Tariq Lamptey, Pervis Estupinan, Roberto De Zerbi.
AS Roma: 6 - Mile Svilar, Zaki Celik, Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Daniele De Rossi.
Possession: Albion - 65%. AS Roma - 35%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Lewis Dunk (Albion).
Attendance: 30380.
NEXT GAME:
31 MARCH 2024 - LIVERPOOL - away - Prremier League - kick-off 14.00. "Live" on Sky Sports.
Jack Kaye.
20 March 2024.