Roma 4-0 Brighton: Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku among goals as Seagulls dealt significant defeat in UEFA Europa League
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Updated 07/03/2024 at 20:54 GMT
Roma dealt a huge blow on Brighton’s UEFA Europa League dreams as they inflicted a 4-0 loss on Roberto De Zerbi’s side in the first leg of the last-16 at Stadio Olimpico. Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku scored in the first half and the damage was added by further goals from Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante after the restart. Brighton have it all to do in the second leg at the Amex on March 14.
Lukaku esulta per il gol in Roma-Brighton
Image credit: Getty Images
Brighton suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat against AS Roma in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side created plenty of chances in the game but they were made to rue their missed opportunities as Roma ran riot, with Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante all on target for the hosts.
Dybala gave Roma the lead when he ran onto a wonderful through ball from Leandro Paredes, before rounding Jason Steele and slotting the ball into an empty net. The assistant referee raised his flag late to initially disallow the goal, but VAR gave the green light as replays showed Dybala timed his run perfectly.
Lukaku doubled Roma’s lead when he capitalised on Lewis Dunk’s error, as the Brighton captain took a bad touch from a lofted Roma ball forward to allow the Belgian to race clear before firing beyond a helpless Steele.
In the second half, Danny Welbeck squandered Brighton’s best chance of the game when he swiped an effort over the bar from close range, before Roma put the game to bed with two quickfire goals. Mancini met Stephan El Shaarawy’s cross to poke the ball past Steele before Cristante added a fourth with a header at the back post.
Brighton welcome Roma to the South Coast next week for the return leg with a huge mountain to climb, while Daniele De Rossi’s side have one foot firmly in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Talking point - Brighton rue missed chances
The scoreline suggests Roma dominated the match, but that is far from the truth. Brighton had their fair share of chances, but the brilliance of Mile Svilar combined with the lack of conviction from The Seagulls meant they failed to find the net with any of their 11 efforts.
There was controversy surrounding the third goal because it looked as though Mancini had drifted offside, despite VAR giving the all-clear. But the harsh reality for De Zerbi’s side is that they were not clinical enough on the day, while Roma most definitely were.
Player of the Match - Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma)
This could have gone to a handful of Roma players, with Dybala and Lukaku both shining under the lights at Stadio Olimpico, but it was El Shaarawy’s excellence that ultimately buried the game for Roma, and most likely the tie.
Roma were actively looking for a third to put the game to bed and El Shaarawy popped up with two brilliant assists for the Mancini and Cristante goals. The pair took their strikes well, but it was all about the delivery from the Italian.
Match ratings
AS Roma: Svilar 7, Celik 6, Mancini 8, N’Dicka 7, Spinazzola 7, Cristante 8, Paredes 8, Pellegrini 8, Dybala 8, Lukaku 8, El Shaarawy
Subs: Llorente N/A, Baldanzi 6, Bove 6, Zalawski N/A, Azmoun N/A
Brighton: Steele 4, Lamptey 5, Van Hecke 5, Dunk 4, Igor 5, Gross 5, Gilmour 5, Buonanotte 6, Enciso 5, Adingra 7, Welbeck 6
Subs: Estupinan 6, Veltman 6, Baleba N/A, Ferguson N/A, Fati 7
Match highlights
2’ - HUGE STOP! Leonardo Spinazzola sends in a cross and Lukaku towers above Dunk to steer a powerful header towards goal, but Jason Steele tips it over excellently! It's been a strong start for the hosts who are on the front foot.
7’ - OFF THE POST! Adingra drives into the box, cuts in on his right foot and his shot deflects onto the post and behind for a corner. Roma get The Seagulls’ first corner clear, but it is better from the visitors.
12’ - ROMA HAVE THE BALL IN THE NET! But the assistant referee has raised a very, very late flag! Dybala bursts through on goal and takes the ball around Steele before slotting into an empty net. VAR will have a look… It looks very tight.
14’ - GOAL!! - ROMA 1-0 BRIGHTON (DYBALA): The goal stands! Dybala times his run to perfection and VAR have cleared the onside. Roma lead!
43’ - GOAL!! - ROMA 2-0 BRIGHTON (LUKAKU): Lukaku doubles Roma's lead on the stroke of half-time following a huge Brighton mistake! Dunk takes a dreadful touch from a long Roma ball over the top and Lukaku runs clear with the loose ball before smashing it past Steele. A long, long way back for Brighton now!
58’ - WELBECK FIRES OVER! Another big chance for Brighton! Welbeck races into the box on the left and sends an effort at the near post over the bar.
64’ - GOAL!! - ROMA 3-0 BRIGHTON (MANCINI): All of Brighton's good work in the second half comes undone! Gianluca Mancini latches on to a brilliant Stephan El Shaarawy cross at the back post to poke the ball beyond Steele! But has he made his run too early? There will be a VAR check.
68’ - GOAL!! - ROMA 4-0 BRIGHTON (CRISTANTE): Brighton are being blown away in Rome! The Seagulls are carved open and El Shaarawy clips the ball into the box where the Roma players are queuing up to put the ball in the net, and it's Cristante who pops up to head the ball home.
Key stat
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