Solid

Roma had been in management with the Zeki Celik purpose, however after an unfortunate deflection and the Bryan Cristante pink card, have been pressured to hold on for a strong 1-1 Europa League play-off draw.

The Giallorossi had Devyne Rensch injured, with Lucas Gourna-Douath and Anass Salah-Eddine , however Leandro Paredes and Mats Hummels have been surprisingly benched. Porto introduced in new coach Martin Anselmi on January 27 and this was solely his fourth sport, lacking Marko Grujic and Martim Fernandez, however Otavio returned from suspension towards Sporting on the weekend.

The second leg is on the Stadio Olimpico subsequent Thursday, February 20.

Porto had a harmful counter-attack from an early Roma nook, Evan N’Dicka making the decisive clearance as Alan Varela was pulling the set off, whereas Artem Dovbyk after which Manu Kone didn’t benefit from low-cost giveaways with poor ending.

The hosts ought to’ve scored on 13 minutes with a sweeping transfer from proper to left, however over-did it with one too many passes and Bryan Cristante was capable of intercept from 10 yards.

Paulo Dybala’s end was too weak when Dovbyk laid it off together with his again to purpose, then Pellegrini steered large with the within of the fitting boot when he in all probability ought to’ve left it for La Joya.

There was unhealthy information for Roma when 19 minutes after he had been kicked there by Alan Varela in a bookable offence.

The Giallorossi took the lead deep into first half stoppages, as substitute Tommaso Baldanzi battled to win again the ball and unfold it to the left for Alexis Saelemaekers, the roll throughout was blocked off for Dovbyk, however Zeki Celik pounced to attain from a difficult angle.

Roma take the lead in Porto! ⚽️

It’s the centre-back Celik who follows the play and will get his reward to nip in and hearth previous Costa 🎯

The booked and irritable Saelemaekers and Kone have been changed for the restart, however Mile Svilar instantly wanted a terrific save from point-blank vary on Francisco Moura, who was despatched clear by the sensible Rodrigo Mora move.

Pellegrini had an effort charged down after a well-worked group transfer and Niccolò Pisilli blasted straight on the goalkeeper from distance.

Diogo Costa needed to make a determined response save on Cristante’s header from a nook, however moments later Porto equalised towards the run of play.

Diogo Costa began the transfer with an extended purpose kick for Pepê, who battled two defenders to put it off for Francisco Moura’s closely deflected strike off Baldanzi to wrong-foot Svilar.

Porto are degree, and it’s Francisco Moura’s deflected effort that finds the again of the Roma internet to make it 1-1 ⚽️

Matias Soulé got here on and instantly noticed his low cross-shot virtually squirm in on the close to publish, however it went from unhealthy to worse when Cristante acquired his second yellow card for a shirt tug on Eustaquio.

They’ve conceded an equaliser, and now they’re all the way down to 10 🟥

Cristante sees his second yellow for a pull, and Roma are in a little bit of bother now in Porto.

The sport was reworked and Porto poured ahead, Goncalo Borges volleying a nook over undisturbed from seven yards, then Francisco Moura’s header cleared in a panic and Namaso curled large.

Porto 1-1 Roma

Celik 45+4 (R), Francisco Moura 67 (P)

Despatched off: Cristante 72 (R)

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