TOTTENHAM – ROMA 2-2
Roma shows character and snatches a precious 2-2 draw at Tottenham, coming from behind twice at the Tottenham Stadium. Spurs took the lead in the 5th minute with Son scoring a penalty after a foul by Hummels on Sarr. Roma reacted and found the equalizer in the 20th minute with Ndicka, who headed home a free kick taken by Dybala. Shortly afterwards, in the 22nd minute, El Shaarawy scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside. In the 33rd minute, Tottenham takes the lead again: Kulusevski arrives at the back and serves Johnson, who beats Svilar. Spurs came close to scoring the third goal with Kulusevski, who hit the post, but Son sent the rebound high. The second half opens with a dangerous counterattack by Tottenham, stopped by Hummels. Paredes attempts from outside the area, but the shot is wide of the mark. Two Roma goals were disallowed for offside: first Koné and then Dovbyk ended up in an irregular position. In the 60th minute, Celik serves Angelino, who hits the crossbar with a volley. Shortly afterwards, Porro hits the crossbar with a free kick. Ranieri changes, inserting Zalewski and Saelemaekers to increase the offensive push. In the final, Solanke hits the crossbar, pardoning the Giallorossi. In the 91st minute, Hummels found the equalizer with a spectacular acrobatics. With this result, Roma remains in the running for the Europa League playoffs, while Tottenham maintains a direct line to the round of 16.
LATIO – LUDOGORETS 0-0
Lazio’s run in the Europa League slowed down against Ludogorets, who left the Olimpico with a precious 0-0. The Biancocelesti, led by Marco Baroni, regret a penalty not awarded and a crossbar hit by Guendouzi. Baroni chooses to rotate the team, making seven changes since the success against Bologna. Despite the changes, Lazio immediately took control of the game, while the Bulgarians relied on counterattacks. However, the start of the match was blocked and we had to wait until the 15th minute to see a timid conclusion from Tchaouna. Lazio grows as the minutes pass and Dia becomes dangerous on two occasions: first he finds Bonmann ready to save, then he is stopped by the defenders. The first half ends at 0-0. In the second half, Baroni introduces Castellanos, Isaksen and Lazzari to give freshness. Pedro immediately tries his luck from outside the area, but Bonmann blocks. Lazzari then tries a high shot. In the 65th minute, Isaksen was brought down in the area, but referee Strukan, despite the VAR review, decided not to award the penalty, sparking strong protests. Lazio pushes with determination, but bad luck takes center stage: Guendouzi hits the crossbar with a powerful shot from the edge. The last chance goes to Castellanos, but his attempt ends wide. The draw slows down the Biancocelesti, who still remain at the top of the group with a good chance of directly qualifying for the round of 16, avoiding the playoffs.
FIORENTINA – PAFOS
Fiorentina beat Pafos 3-2, obtaining their third victory in four matches and climbing to sixth place in the group, moving ever closer to direct qualification for the next round. In view of Sunday’s important match against Inter, Palladino changes eight players compared to the match against Como. Despite the turnover, the Viola took control of the game, despite suffering from the Cypriots’ quick counterattacks in the first half. Pafos came close to scoring twice: first with Sunjic, taking advantage of an error by Dodo, then with Jairo, who earned a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area. However, Fiorentina managed to break the deadlock in the 38th minute: Parisi served Ikoné, who set it up for Dodo. His cross was poorly intercepted by Pileas and Luckassen, with the ball bouncing off Kouame and into the net. In the second half, in the 50th minute, Sottil crossed from the back and Goldar involuntarily deflected it into his own goal, giving the Viola the 2-0. In the 68th minute, however, Jairo reopened the match with a backheel following an assist from Correia. Palladino runs for cover, replacing Sottil with Biraghi and moving Parisi forward. Fiorentina responds immediately in the 72nd minute: Kayode crosses for Quarta, who heads the ball home to make it 3-1. Shortly afterwards, Quarta leaves due to a muscular problem, replaced by Rubino. Terracciano’s error in the 87th minute allows Jaja to make it 3-2, but the Viola resist and take home a hard-fought victory.
Morocco
