by our correspondent Davide Chinellato
November 28, 2024 (change at 11.24pm) – LONDON
You can be the worst on the pitch until the 91st minute and then become the hero. This is what happens to Mats Hummels at the Tottenham Stadium, from where Roma emerges with a 2-2 European draw achieved by the hitherto disastrous German defender which means more than the first point of the Ranieri era. Because the Giallorossi deserved this draw, reacting with the creativity of Paulo Dybala to that penalty that Hummels in his worst version on the pitch had conceded after just 3' and improving in the second half to get this equalizer at the last minute. It's worth much more than one point: it's worth the idea that the Ranieri cure works, that Sir Claudio can straighten out the difficult situation he inherited. Roma remain without a seasonal away win but at least they are alive, they demonstrate that they can grow, that they can recover.
the keys
—
Hummes is the villain and the hero at the same time. Roma slipped in defense throughout the match through his fault, with that foul on Sarr after 3' which was worth a penalty that a veteran like him who wants to demonstrate that he deserves more minutes cannot commit. Ranieri's team was good at reacting, at bringing out their character: thanks to Dybala's creativity, which however only lasts for a while due to a non-optimal condition, then thanks to a team that is growing, that doesn't give up, who proves that she has what it takes to get out of this difficult situation she has fallen into. There are many things to correct, but Ranieri understood in a complicated environment like this one that also has the men to come back, that his arrival has given a shock. Atalanta on Monday at the Olimpico seems even more difficult than this attacking but wasteful Tottenham, but Roma will get there with the certainty of being on the right path. In the Europa League there are now 6 points in 5 games and the playoffs will have to be won in the last 3 games with Braga, Az and Eintracht, but before Europe Ranieri wants to worry about straightening the situation. Tottenham also dreamed of having the round of 16 in their sights: with the victory they would have reached 12, with this draw canceling Son's initial penalty and Johnson's new lead from 33' after N'Dicka's equalizer it stops at 10 and confirms itself as a team capable of anything. Also to play great and create a lot only to be joined in the 91st minute by the man who up until then had been the worst on the pitch.
Are you a direct DAZN customer? For you Gazzetta Digital Edition at no additional cost.
the match
—
The freezing climate of the Tottenham Stadium immediately warms up in a spectacular first half. In the 5th minute, Spurs broke the deadlock with Son, who converted a penalty awarded via VAR for a naive foul by Hummels on Sarr. Roma cashed in but grew fired up by Dybala, who in the 20th minute from a free kick gave N'Dicka the assist for the equalizer and immediately afterwards inspired El Shaarawy for what would have been the 2-1 goal if VAR hadn't canceled it. However, Tottenham made it 2-1 in the 33rd minute with Johnson, splendidly inspired by Kulusevski who hit the post sensationally two minutes later. Ranieri restarted with a goal down and with Soulé replacing Dybala and Roma were more enterprising, hitting the crossbar with Angelińo in the 60th minute before Porro did the same at the other end a little later. Spurs cherish the victory, but in the 91st minute Hummels makes up for his performance as the worst on the pitch so far by touching a great assist from Angeliño into the net at the far post to make it 2-2. Roma return from London with the first point under Ranieri's management and the belief that things can improve.
