Roma achieve qualification for the quarter-finals of the Europa League. After the 2-0 success a week ago at the Olimpico, the Giallorossi drew 0-0 against Real Sociedad in the second leg of the round of 16 played at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian. The Spaniards ended the match with ten players following Fernandez’s expulsion for a second yellow card in the 98th minute.
THE MATCH – Mourinho still chooses Belotti in front, supported by Pellegrini and Dybala. Wijnaldum plays in the middle together with Cristante: the Dutchman’s experience in a delicate game is too important, against a team that tries to pick up the pace immediately. Roma defended themselves in order and came close to scoring with Dybala, whose deflected conclusion gave Remiro the creeps. The Basques only shoot from outside and insistently look for David Silva; with Oyarzabal still in mid-service and Kubo on the bench, the former Manchester City player is the only point of reference. Rui Patricio, doesn’t make particularly complicated interventions, well protected by his teammates.
At the beginning of the second half, however, the first mistake could cost you dearly. Great work by Mendez on the right, Sorloth was all alone in the area but was spectacularly unable to find the goal. An alarm bell that rings loudly for Mourinho’s boys, just sixty seconds into the second half; Roma went into apnea, Zalewski and Wijnaldum blocked Menez and Merino’s shots, then it was Oyarzabal who devoured the lead from close range: Rui Patricio and the crossbar denied the playmaker the goal. Twenty minutes from the end, Alguacil plays the Kubo card. Mourinho responds by changing the two offensive references: inside El Shaarawy and Abraham, the intention is clear to exploit some counter-attacks and to seek more depth to lighten the pressure. The assaults of the landlords are increasingly confused as the minutes go by and facilitate the task of the capitolini. The fort does not collapse even in the eight minutes of added time, during which Fernandez is sent off for a second yellow card, and at the triple whistle the Giallorossi party can start.
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