Mou’s team qualified thanks to a 2-0 win in the first leg at the Olimpico. Smalling goal canceled by the Var for a touch with the arm
Unspectacular, very effective. Roma scores 0-0 in San Sebastian and reaches the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Real Sociedad confirms its huge problems with goals: a victory in the last 10 outings, with 7 games without finding the opponent’s goal. Unproductive ball possession and some Basque regrets only for Oyarzabal’s crossbar. Strengthened by the 2-0 in the first leg, Roma let their opponents play, getting what they wanted and without collateral damage. Mourinho can look forward to Sunday’s derby with a boost of European morale that his colleague Sarri failed to obtain.
THE CHOICES
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Thinking of Lazio, the Portuguese leaves out Matic, Abraham and Zalewski by deploying Wijnaldum, Belotti (wrist surgery last Saturday) and Karsdorp. Imanol renounces Kubo, starter in the first leg, deploying David Silva and Oyarzabal in support of the terrible Sorloth, with Mikel Merino, Brais Mendez and Zubimendi in the midfield.
MAKE TIME PASS
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Thus begins a game with a precise script: ball to Real Sociedad, which however seems to be forbidden to use it to offend and Roma covered without suffering, with only one purpose, to pass the time. A task that Mourinho’s team carries out with great zeal and remarkable results.
GOAL CANCELED
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This in the first half leads to countless interruptions, to a shot by Dybala that Sorloth deflects a few centimeters from Remiro’s post, two long shots by Zubimendi and Brais Mendez controlled without problems by Rui Patricio, Zalewski for Karsdorp came out with a bloody nose from an aerial tackle with Diego Rico, and Smalling’s goal disallowed in added time. Dybala’s corner at the far post, entrance by the English centre-back who scores with his hand.
THE ERROR
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The second half started with a shiver for the Giallorossi: on a cross from Brais Mendez from the right Sorloth found himself alone in the area but headed terribly. And he continues with Roma stuffed into his area with no intention of abandoning it and Real a little more concrete. Imanol brought in Carlos Fernandez for Sorloth which came out to truly generous applause. For Carlos Fernandez a lot of frustration and a red card in added time for a second yellow card.
THE CROSSBAR
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In the 68th minute, the greatest danger for Roma came from a corner by Brais Mendez: Oyarzabal was culpably abandoned: with his right foot he forced Rui Patricio to perform an instinctive miracle, with his left foot he sent the ball over the crossbar. The Real captain rightly despairs and gives way to Take Kubo. After a high scare, Zubeldia’s powerful but oversized header (75′) Mourinho changes the attack by bringing in Abraham and El Shaarawy for Belotti and Dybala, with the script of the match remaining the same. Roma played the match they wanted: Real Sociedad neutralized and eliminated.
March 16, 2023 (change March 16, 2023 | 23:03)
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