Roma couldn't get out of their own way in Athens, but a late equalizer secured a spot in the EL Round of 16.
We’ll say this much about Roma: they seldom make it easy. While it’s no secret that Gian Piero Gasperini’s priority remains Serie A (and rightly so), today’s Europa League fixture against Panathinaikos—the eighth and final match of the League Phase—carried enormous consequences for the Giallorossi. A win or draw would have advanced Roma directly to the Knockout Phase, while a loss would have relegated them to the Knockout Phase Playoff Round, forcing the club into two additional European fixtures in February, an already difficult month with matches against Napoli, Udinese, and Cagliari, with Juventus looming on March 1st.
Even if Gasperini channeled his inner Mourinho and opted to choke the life out of the match rather than play it straight, Gianluca Mancini’s straight red in the 15th minute put Roma behind the eight ball for three-quarters of the match. And with Roma’s attack already hampered by several injuries, the capital club had their work cut out for them this evening in Athens.
Still, despite those challenges, Roma managed to keep their heads above water for the first half but fell behind in the 58th minute thanks to a pair of questionable touches from Niccolo Pisilli and Daniele Ghilardi. With a looping ball heading his way, Pisilli one-timed it back to Ghilardi, who then headed it into the box toward Pierluigi Gollini. But there was just one problem: Panathianiakos forward Vicente Taborda was right behind him. With one quick touch and a clever cut into the middle of the area, the Italian forward put Roma’s Round of 16 hopes on ice… momentarily.
Roma would catch a lucky break of their own late in the match, as Jan Ziolkowski capitalized on a Panathianiakos error to level the match in the 80th minute, sparing Roma a trip to the dreaded playoff round.
In case you missed any of the action, please enjoy the extended highlights.
Category: General Sports
