AS Roma secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Athletic Club in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie, thanks to a last-gasp winner from Eldor Shomurodov. The Giallorossi’s triumph extends their unbeaten run across all competitions to seven games and puts them in control heading into the second leg in Spain.
A Battle of European Regulars
Two sides familiar with European football, Roma and Athletic Club, faced off in a high-stakes encounter at the Stadio Olimpico. With the previous two meetings between these clubs ending in draws, this match was an opportunity for either side to take the upper hand in the tie.
The visitors started brightly, showing early intent to take the lead. Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Unai Gomez both found themselves in promising positions within the first 15 minutes but failed to convert their chances. Athletic’s pressing game forced Roma onto the back foot, making it difficult for the Italian side to impose themselves in the opening exchanges.
Despite the early dominance from Athletic, Roma had their moments. Niccolo Pisilli had the hosts’ first real opportunity, but his effort from inside the box was blocked by a resilient Athletic defense. Soon after, Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk embarked on a brilliant solo run but could only produce a weak shot that was comfortably collected by Julen Agirrezabala in the Athletic goal.
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Goalless First Half, Action-Packed Second
Both teams fought hard for control, but neither could break the deadlock before halftime. The closest attempt came from Roma’s star playmaker Paulo Dybala, who came agonizingly close to putting his side ahead. The Argentine received the ball in the box and curled a stunning effort past Mile Svilar, only to be denied by the post.
The second half, however, delivered all the action that was missing in the opening 45 minutes. Athletic Club struck first, seizing the advantage through Inaki Williams. The veteran forward reacted quickly to Aitor Paredes’ loose header and smashed a shot into the back of the net from close range.
The lead, however, lasted only a few minutes. Roma found their equalizer through Angelino, who capitalized on an excellent assist from Zeki Celik. The right-back made a powerful run down the flank before cutting the ball back into the penalty area, where Angelino was waiting to rifle it past the Athletic goalkeeper.
Athletic’s Threat and Shomurodov’s Late Winner
Despite conceding the equalizer, Athletic remained the more dangerous side for most of the second half. Nico Williams and Unai Gomez had shots blocked as they searched for a second goal to restore their lead. The visitors also attempted to exploit Roma’s defensive frailties on the counterattack but found themselves frustrated by the Giallorossi’s resilience at the back.
Just as it seemed that the match was destined to end in a draw, Roma struck a decisive blow deep into injury time. Belgian winger Alexis Saelemaekers delivered a precise pass into the box, where Shomurodov was perfectly positioned. The Uzbekistan international turned swiftly and unleashed a low shot past Agirrezabala, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Athletic Club’s challenge was further compounded by a late red card, which leaves them at a disadvantage heading into the return leg.
What’s Next?
With this victory, Roma take a slim advantage into the second leg, knowing that a solid defensive performance in Spain could see them advance to the Europa League quarter-finals. However, Athletic Club are far from out of the contest. Their strong home form and attacking firepower will make them a formidable opponent in the return fixture.
Both teams will now shift their focus to domestic league matches before meeting again in San Sebastian, where Athletic will look to overturn the deficit and keep their European dreams alive.
