Mourinho masterclass, Lukaku heroics as Roma come from behind to beat Lecce

Mourinho masterclass, Lukaku heroics as Roma come from behind to beat Lecce

Faruq Ibrahim 20:33 - 05.11.2023

Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku scored a late winner as Roma complete a comeback against Lecce.

Jose Mourinho's Roma left it late to snatch maximum points in the clash against Lecce, as they won 2-1 from a losing position.

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The Giallorossi hosted Lecce at the Stadio Olimpico as they looked to get back to winning ways after losing to Inter last weekend. They seemed headed for a defeat, as Pontus Almqvist's strike put the visitors ahead, but late goals from Sardar Azmoun and Romelu Lukaku righted the course of history.

How it happened

Roma started brilliantly and had a chance to take the lead in the second minute of the game when the referee pointed to the spot after a VAR review. 

The call came after Paulo Dybala's attempt at goal was impeded by the hands of a Leece defender. Lukaku stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but his shot was saved by Wladimiro Falcone. 

Roma had more chances in the first-half and at the start of the second half but failed to find the back of the net. Lecce punished this profligacy by taking the lead when Swedish striker Pontus pounced on a loose ball in the net and fired past the outstretched Rui Patricio. 

Mourinho dipped his hands into the bench, bringing on Nicola Zalewski, among others. The changes fired up the Giallorossi, and substitute Zalewski delivered a delicious ball into the area for Sardar Azmoun and the Iranian made no mistake, thumping the ball into the net with a header. 

Lukaku completed the comeback in the 94th minute, receiving a through-ball on the half-turn from Dybala before calmly slotting past Falcone.

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