Roma snatch late victory over Athletic Club
Roma vs Athletic Club
AS Roma secured a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, thanks to a stoppage-time goal that shifted the momentum firmly in their favor ahead of the return leg in Spain. The match, played at the Stadio Olimpico, was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Roman faithful, who watched their team squander early opportunities, fall behind, and then mount a spirited comeback to claim a slender but vital advantage. Elsewhere in the competition, Bodo/Glimt took a commanding step towards the quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Olympiacos, while Eintracht Frankfurt edged out Ajax Amsterdam 2-1 in a tightly contested affair. For Roma, the night was defined by resilience and a refusal to buckle under pressure, qualities that manager Daniele De Rossi will hope to carry forward as his side navigates a challenging season across multiple fronts. The victory, while far from straightforward, keeps Roma’s European aspirations alive and sets the stage for a tantalizing second leg, where they will look to protect their lead against a Bilbao side that showed plenty of fight despite ultimately falling short.
The first half at the Stadio Olimpico was a tale of frustration for Roma, who dominated possession and created several promising openings but failed to convert their chances into a lead. Artem Dovbyk, the Ukrainian striker who has been a key figure for Roma this season, found himself with a golden opportunity when he breached Bilbao’s defense and burst into the penalty area, only to lose his footing at the critical moment and send his effort skidding harmlessly wide. The crowd groaned in unison as the chance went begging, sensing that such profligacy might come back to haunt their team. Moments later, Paulo Dybala, Roma’s talismanic Argentine playmaker, came even closer, unleashing a thunderous shot that rattled the crossbar and left Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper, Julen Agirrezabala, rooted to the spot. The woodwork’s intervention denied Roma a deserved opener, and as the teams headed into the break level at 0-0, there was a palpable sense of unease among the home supporters. Bilbao, for their part, had offered little in attack but remained resolute at the back, frustrating Roma’s forwards with their disciplined shape and physicality—a hallmark of Ernesto Valverde’s well-drilled outfit.
The deadlock was broken five minutes after the interval, but it was Athletic Bilbao who struck first, silencing the Stadio Olimpico with a goal that exposed Roma’s vulnerability from set pieces. Inaki Williams, the dynamic forward who has been a mainstay for Bilbao, rose above his marker to head home from close range after a well-delivered cross found him unmarked in the box. The goal came against the run of play, a sucker punch that stunned Roma and shifted the momentum towards the visitors, who suddenly looked capable of seizing control of the tie. Williams’ finish was clinical, a testament to his aerial prowess and knack for being in the right place at the right time, and it left Roma with a mountain to climb as they sought to regain their footing in the contest. De Rossi, animated on the touchline, urged his players to respond, but the immediate aftermath saw Bilbao grow in confidence, pressing higher and forcing Roma into a series of uncharacteristic errors. For a brief spell, it seemed as though the Spanish side might extend their lead, capitalizing on the uncertainty that had crept into Roma’s play following the opener.
Roma, however, refused to let the game slip away, and their equalizer arrived just as the home crowd began to fear the worst. The goal came from an unlikely source in Angelino, the left-back who has often been more noted for his defensive contributions than his attacking output. The move began with Zeki Celik, who cut the ball back intelligently from the right flank, finding Angelino in space just inside the penalty area. The Spaniard struck his shot with conviction, and though it lacked pinpoint accuracy, it cannoned off the post and into the net, leaving Agirrezabala with no chance. The stadium erupted as Roma drew level, the relief and renewed belief coursing through the stands as the players celebrated a goal that breathed new life into their European campaign. Angelino’s strike, while fortunate in its execution, was a reward for Roma’s persistence, and it shifted the dynamic of the match once more. Bilbao, rattled by the concession, struggled to reassert themselves, and Roma began to sense an opportunity to push for more as the game entered its final stages.
The complexion of the tie changed dramatically five minutes from time when Athletic Bilbao were reduced to 10 men, handing Roma a numerical advantage that would prove decisive. Yeray Alvarez, Bilbao’s combative center-back, received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, leaving his team to see out the remainder of the match a man down. The dismissal swung the pendulum firmly in Roma’s favor, and De Rossi’s side wasted little time in capitalizing on their newfound superiority. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the Giallorossi launched one final assault on Bilbao’s depleted defense, and it was Eldor Shomurodov, the Uzbek striker who has often been a peripheral figure this season, who emerged as the hero. Latching onto a loose ball in the box, Shomurodov executed a deft turn to create space before rifling a shot past Agirrezabala, sparking wild scenes of jubilation among the home faithful. The goal, scored with virtually the last kick of the game, was a moment of pure ecstasy for Roma, transforming a potential draw into a precious victory and giving them a slender lead to defend in the second leg. Shomurodov’s composure under pressure highlighted his value as a squad player, and his intervention ensured that Roma would head to Bilbao with a psychological edge.
The late drama at the Stadio Olimpico capped a night of high stakes and shifting fortunes, with Roma ultimately prevailing through a combination of grit, opportunism, and a touch of good fortune. Across Europe, Bodo/Glimt’s emphatic 3-0 win over Olympiacos underscored their credentials as dark horses in the competition, the Norwegian side dismantling their Greek opponents with a display of clinical finishing and tactical discipline. Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile, secured a 2-1 victory at Ajax Amsterdam, a result that keeps them in contention despite the challenges of playing in the hostile Johan Cruyff Arena. For Roma, the focus now shifts to the return leg at San Mames, where Athletic Bilbao will look to harness their passionate home support to overturn the 2-1 deficit. The tie remains finely poised, with Bilbao’s attacking threat—spearheaded by Williams—and their resilience making them dangerous despite the numerical setback late in the first leg. De Rossi will need to prepare his team for a stern test, ensuring they maintain the intensity and focus that carried them to victory in Rome while addressing the defensive lapses that allowed Bilbao to take the lead in the first place.
This result keeps Roma’s Europa League hopes alive, a competition that holds particular significance for a club with a storied history in European football but a relatively modest trophy haul in recent decades. The victory over Bilbao, while narrow, provides a platform to build upon, and the Stadio Olimpico’s electric atmosphere in the second leg could prove a decisive factor if Roma can hold firm in Spain. For Athletic Bilbao, the task is clear: they must regroup, harness their home advantage, and find a way to breach a Roma defense that showed both frailty and resolve in equal measure. The sending-off of Alvarez complicates their preparations, but Valverde’s experience and tactical acumen will ensure they remain a formidable opponent. As the dust settles on this first-leg thriller, both teams will take stock and recalibrate, knowing that the outcome of this tie hangs in the balance, with everything still to play for when they reconvene in Bilbao. For now, Roma can savor a hard-fought win, their stoppage-time heroics a testament to their fighting spirit and a reminder of the fine margins that define knockout football.
