LEGGO (F. BALZANI) – Rome flourishes again among the tulips and makes Italian football proud. The victory in Amsterdam against Ajax puts her on the road to the semi-finals of the Europa League and is the daughter of lucky episodes but also of the previously unheard-of ability to overturn predictions and results with heart and brain. It’s Pau Lopez’s Starry Night, it’s Ibanez’s happy ending, it’s Fonseca’s redemption. The only Serie A manager still alive in Europe.
The game had started badly with Spinazzola’s injury (risk of injury) but there were important signs from the revived Dzeko. Then the blackout: Diawara back pass, Tadic assist for Klassens and Ajax advantage. It seems the same old story, indeed the same old story is repeated when Ibanez provokes the penalty that can cost qualification in the second half. Pau Lopez does what a Roma goalkeeper hasn’t done for years: saves a decisive penalty. From that moment a shock pervades the whole team. The protagonist is still a goalkeeper: the 19 year old Scherpen who stumbles on a harmless free kick by Pellegrini.
Roma insists and risks behind but there is still Pau to stop every attempt. The draw is an excellent result in view of the return to the Olimpico. But in the finale here is the happy ending. Ibanez himself finds the winning turn and blows up the balconies of Rome that have remained silent for too long. “I really like this goal. I thank Pau who saved that penalty», The Brazilian laughs heartily.
Roma wins 2-1, embraces each other and now sees the semifinals with Manchester United (0-2 in Granada). Fonseca sees hopes of confirmation: “After so many problems, an important victory has come. It’s not closed yet, but the guys have been great. More respect for me? I do my job, I always accept criticism but I am sorry to hear lies, especially in a week in which we represent Italy ».
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