Romelu Lukaku scored the game-winning goal for Roma in their 2-1 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol away from home in the Europa League.
Rick Karsdorp’s through ball intended for Stephan El Shaarawy was slightly over-hit, and the Sheriff goalie was able to save Bryan Cristante’s shot from a distance.
Blow came to Roma when Renato Sanches was forced to leave the game after 28 minutes due to yet another muscular ailment, and Leandro Paredes was brought in to take his place.
In the 35th minute, Sheriff were unlucky not to take the lead when Ngom Mbekeli came sliding in to meet an Amine Talal low ball from the right and thumped the base of the upright. El Shaarawy missed wide on the half-volley from a Lukaku knockdown, but Sheriff were unlucky not to take the lead at that point.
Talal was one of the most impressive players on the field; nevertheless, he was cautioned during the stoppages in play during the first half, and from the resulting free kick, Paredes watched the strike take a double deflection off of Talal and Gaby Kiki to fool Maxym Koval giving Roma the much needed lead.
Right after play was restarted, Mbekeli unleashed a right-footed rocket that, although coming from an awkward angle, chipped a layer of paint off the top of the crossbar.
It was a warning for Roma, as Sheriff equalized the score when a corner kick pinballed around in the box until Cristian Tovar smashed the loose ball in from eight yards out. The goal served as a warning.
Paulo Dybala was one of the players that came off the bench and immediately made an impact, which contributed to Roma’s second goal. He was the one who initiated the play, which led to a back-heel flick by Cristante, after which Lukaku drove through the defenders and watched his strike get deflected in for the goal. It was the Belgian’s 12th straight match in the Europa League in which he scored a goal.
A free kick taken by Dybala was saved by the goalkeeper, while an angle shot taken by Andrea Belotti passed through Tovar’s legs but missed the target by a hair’s breadth.
Svilar hesitated at first, but in the end, he was able to get his fingertips on the ball over the top before it could reach Talal, preventing a late equalizer from being scored by Sheriff.
In the stoppage time, the home team was reduced to 10 men after Joao Paolo Fernandes was issued a yellow card for a foul committed against Dybala, then must have said something to the referee since he was shown a red card immediately afterward.
FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE ON TWITTER
READ MORE;
Atalanta 2-0 Rakow: La dea starts UEL campaign with an important victory
Genk 2-2 Fiorentina: Viola manages to hold their ground agains Genk
Real Sociedad 1-1 Inter: Nerazzuri secures a point in opening round