Feyenoord v Roma LIVE: UEFA Europa League updates as De ...
Updated 15/02/2024 at 18:27 GMT
41'
Paredes lets fly with a terrific shot from range that is tipped on to the bar by Wellenreuther. That’s superb from the keeper and he’s kept his side level in high-class fashion.
:focal(167x134:169x132)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/04/12/3041129-62378324-310-310.png)
This game is remarkably even, with both teams having good chances and the atmosphere popping in Rotterdam. You’d back whoever wins this tie to go quite a long way in the competition.
35'
Feyenoord are furious as a break is pulled back for a flailing arm from Minteh – that’s what the officials think anyway. It’s extremely harsh but the forward is booked.
Yellow card
Y. Minteh
Feyenoord
Minteh latches onto a loose ball and his bending effort seems destined for the far corner, but Spinazzola makes a crucial block. The chances keep on coming but it remains goalless… somehow!
What a game this is! Feyenoord have another chance as a brilliant delivery into the box makes its way through to Paixao at the back post, who doesn’t have much time to react and can’t find the power to beat Svilar.
Now it’s Roma’s time to carve out a magnificent opportunity as Zalewski is picked out in space on the left. He bursts into the box and really should shoot, but tries to pick out Lukaku with a square pass instead.
Feyenoord pour forward again and it opens up for Wieffer to have a shot as he glides towards the edge of the box. He has the time and angle to pick his spot, but shoots too close to the keeper.
There’s a long pause after Roma win a free-kick as they delay the restart, attempting to take a bit of a sting out of Feyenoord’s momentum.
Stengs is playing well here and cuts onto his left, drilling a shot straight at Svilar in the Roma goal. Feyenoord have found some fizz and the atmosphere somehow cranks up yet another notch. This is a terrific game so far.
Paixao is picked out in the final third and feints his way into the box, biding his time before finding the perfect pocket of space for a shot. He should score, but drags his effort narrowly wide of the far post. That would have been a lovely goal.
The hosts throw a punch back, launching a counter-attack that has five players streaming forward. They win a corner and the crowd roar – it’s an intense atmosphere this evening.
A chipped cross finds Lukaku in the box, who gets a powerful header on target. It was always going to be an ask for him to score from what was a tricky distance, but it’s encouraging for Roma that he was able to find that pocket of space.
14'
Lukaku has Beelen in all sorts of trouble as he spins the defender who can do nothing but foul the Roma striker. It’s the clearest of bookings.
Yellow card
T. Beelen
Feyenoord
ROMA TAKE THE STING OUT OF THE GAME
Feyenoord came flying out of the blocks, but credit to Roma who have slowed things done and stamped their imprint on this game, with Dybala floating around in a free creative role and giving the home side some issues.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/_iss_/sport/football/club/logo/large/4.png){kind=logo}
Roma have exploded into action with Dybala pulling the strings. He plays a brilliant through-ball and Pellegrini is denied by the onrushing keeper. The Roma captain has another attempt on the follow-up which is headed off the line, but he was offside from that second ball and the flag goes up.
DREADFUL SET-PIECE DELIVERY
Roma’s corner barely even gets to the first man never mind beating him and De Rossi looks on with frustration.
Roma have been on the ropes in the early stages, but it is the visitors who have the first decent attempt as Bove pings one from range which is deflected behind for a corner.
A STRONG START FROM THE HOSTS
Feyenoord have started the game well, keeping Roma penned back in their own half with a very aggressive high press.
1st Half
It’s a terrific atmosphere in Rotterdam as the game gets underway. The hosts are in their traditional red and white, while Roma are in their away strip – a blue jersey with orange trim.
LIFE AFTER MOURINHO FOR ROMA
Tonight is the first time that De Rossi will take charge of a European game for AS Roma, following his appointment in place of the sacked Jose Mourinho.
He had a decent start to life domestically as head coach, winning his first three games, and says his style is slightly different to his predecessor (which is no bad thing):
“Whenever a new coach comes in, he brings something of himself and things change.
"Mourinho got superb results with Roma, especially in Europe, so I hope that in that sense we're not far off. They got to the final two years in a row – that must be where we set the bar.
