Europa League, Roma draw 1-1 in Geneva and qualify but 1st place slips away – Libero Quotidiano

2023-12-01 00:14:00

Geneva, 30 Nov. – (time.news) – Roma did not go beyond a 1-1 draw in Geneva with Servette but obtained the necessary point for the arithmetic qualification for the Europa League playoff, against one of the relegated teams from the Champions League. However, the first place in group G, which would guarantee direct passage to the round of 16, is moving away, after the victory of Slavia Prague (3-2 over Sheriff Tiraspol at the last second) who are now in the lead alone at +2 on Giallorossi and with a better goal difference (+4 on the Capitoline team). At 21′ of the first half Lukaku unlocked the ball with an assist from Llorente, and at 5′ of the second half Bedia equalised. In the last match of the group Roma will host Sheriff at the Olimpico, Slavia will host Servette.

The home team started off strongly and became dangerous in the 6th minute with a shot from outside the area by Kutesa to close an attack on the restart, after a ball recovered in midfield: the conclusion ended high. Shortly afterwards the Swiss attack again with Tsunemoto, whose shot is deflected for a corner by Svilar. In the 12th minute Cognat’s attempt but his shot ends up on the outside of the net. At the quarter of the hour the first action developed by Roma. The Giallorossi arrive at the cross from the right, in front of the goal Lukaku cannot reach it and at the far post there is El Shaarawy, who kicks badly and wastes the opportunity. In the 21st minute Lukaku broke the deadlock: Llorente brought the ball into the area with a great personal move, attracting the entire defense towards him, then unloaded onto the Belgian center forward who placed the ball in the corner with his inside left.

Five minutes pass and Lukaku immediately comes close to scoring a brace: El Shaarawy from the left passes in the center towards him, an immediate turn just inside the area which ends up high. In the 35th minute, a sensational opportunity for the Giallorossi, an enveloping and maneuvered action from right to left, where El Shaarawy in the area arrives at the cross aimed in the middle. First Dybala in front of the goal, smoothes the ball without being able to deflect it into the net, then Lukaku in the second step gets wrapped up, perhaps held by a defender.

In the 45th minute there was a chance for the Swiss to equalise. From the left top of the area, Kutesa does not look for the classic curling shot towards the top corner, but directly unleashes a very strong and tense shot, destined for the top corner, Svilar stretches out and manages to deflect the ball with his calling hand.

At the start of the second half, in the 5th minute, Servette equalises. Cross from the right, with the ball going over Cristante who leaps empty, behind him Bedia stops very well and then with a fine touch he goes past Svilar, the desperate attempt to save on Celik’s line is useless. At 18′ chance for the Capitoline players. A random rebound in the heart of the area ‘rewards’ Dybala: the ball ends up right on his left, a few meters from the goal, but the Argentine sends it high.

In the 27th minute Roma were still close to scoring. Nice exchange between Dybala and Lukaku, who frees the Argentine face to face with Frick. ‘Joya’ tries to place the left foot, but the Servette goalkeeper understands his intentions, starts early and saves. It’s the last chance of the match, in the final the two teams slow down and settle for a draw which guarantees Roma qualification and Servette a repechage in the Conference League.