)
Jose Mourinho's AS Roma turned around a 1-0 first leg deficit to book their spot in the semi-final of the Europa League
Jose Mourinho remain on course to win another European trophy in Rome after his Roma side left it late to beat Feyenoord 4-1 in a thrilling Europa League quarter-final clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.
Roma were unlucky to lose the first leg 1-0 in Rotterdam, but they managed to turn it around with a spirited performance at home.
How it happened
Roma went into the game needing to win by a two-goal margin, having lost the first leg by a lone goal.
Mourinho’s men started on the front foot, putting Feyenoord under immense pressure. The Yellow and Reds had the first chance of the game as early as the fifth minute, with Andrea Bellotti setting up Lorenzo Pellegrini.
However, the Italy international’s deflected effort was brilliantly stopped by Justin Biljow in Feyennord’s goal.
Roma continued to press Feyenoord, but the Dutch side were also dangerous going forward. Arne Slot’s men almost took the lead against the run of play, but Santiago Gimenez could only hit a perfect cross against Rui Patricio in Roma’s goal.
The home side continued to dictate possession but it was the Eredivisie leaders that created the best chances, testing Patricio from distance.
)
20:08 - 15.04.2023
Mourinho's Roma keen on bolstering squad with Liverpool's Brazilian star
AS Roma are reportedly interested in signing a new striker this summer and have their sights set on a Liverpool forward.
The match became feisty as it progressed, with Roma’s assistant coach receiving his marching orders for pulling down Gimenez.
Dybala sparks a thrilling second half and extra time for Roma
Feyenoord finished the half strongly but Roma almost took the lead immediately after the break through Pellegrini.
)
21:51 - 16.04.2023
Mourinho masterclass as Roma sweep past Udinese
Mourinho shows he is still one of the world's best managers, inspiring his team to a rousing 3-0 victory filled with action and penalty misses.
However, the Roma captain could only hit the post from close range following a cross from Nicola Zalewski.
Roma continued on the front foot but Feyenoord grew confident as the game progressed. However, their confidence was hit on the hour mark as Spinazzola’s scuffed effort from inside the box put Roma ahead.
Spinazzola’s goal levelled the aggregate score for Roma and gave them the belief to go for the winner.
Mourinho went to his bench in the process, bringing on the unfit Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham.
Mourinho’s men pressed higher following the opener and thought they had the second goal, but Bryan Cristante’s effort was chalked off for a Tammy Abraham push.
As of that moment, Feyenoord looked tired, but against the run of play, the Dutch side drew level and took the lead on aggregate through a header from Igor Paixao ten minutes from time.
Roma looked down and out following the equaliser, but Dybala’s strike in the 89th minute sent the whole Stadio Olimpico into ecstasy.
Dybala’s strike levelled the score on aggregate once again and he almost won it in added time, but his brilliant effort was pushed away by Biljow.
It turned out to be the last action of the second half as the match went into extra time. Roma continued from where they left off following the restart, dominating a tired Feyenoord side.
The dominance eventually paid off as Stephan El-Shaarawy slid home a brilliant cross from Abraham following a brilliant team move from Mourinho’s men.
Roma continued to press for more as Feyenoord looked tired and out of the game, but they could not score another in the first period of extra time.
The home side did seal the tie, though, following the restart as Pellegrini, who had missed a penalty in the first leg, fired an unstoppable shot from inside the box after Abraham’s shot had been saved.
Pellegrini’s goal made it 4-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate, killing any little hope Feyenoord had left.
It got worse for the Dutch side as Gimenez was sent off late on in the game for a dangerous tackle on Gianluca Mancini.
Roma had more chances to extend their lea but were wasteful in front of goal. Nonetheless, Mourinho’s men marched on into the semi-final, where they will face Bayer Leverkusen.
Related content
)
17:40 - 18.04.2023
Roma plan Feyenoord comeback with Jewel back in training
Roma have been handed a boost ahead of their Feyenoord clash with Paulo Dybala set for a return
)
12:40 - 17.04.2023
SERIE A REVIEW Verona hold Napoli, Mourinho's Roma move third as Sassuolo stun Juventus
A review of the latest round of Serie A fixtures from the weekend.
21:51 - 16.04.2023
Mourinho masterclass as Roma sweep past Udinese
Mourinho shows he is still one of the world's best managers, inspiring his team to a rousing 3-0 victory filled with action and penalty misses.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)