When Roma finished second in their Europa League group, and Feyenoord finished in third in their Champions League group, it seemed almost like a foregone conclusion that they would be drawn against each other. After meeting Conference League Final and a Europa League Quarterfinals a rivalry has been growing and will have its third act in three years conclude at the Stadio Olimpico a week from today on February 22nd with everything to play for after another close competitive contest in Rotterdam left nothing between the two sides. However, the major difference between this meeting and those from the last two years is the man on the touchline for Roma this time around. After Jose Mourinho guided the Giallorossi to two consecutive European finals (and a UECL title), getting past Feyenoord twice in the process it is now club legend Daniele De Rossi at the helm, and with that comes a very different Roma team.
De Rossi made five changes from the side that fell to Inter 4-2 after leading 2-1 while staying in a 4-3-3. The changes included a switch at goalkeeper, starting the young Mile Svilar over the struggling Rui Patricio. Leonardo Spinazzola made his first start under DDR at left back, while Diego Llorente returned to the lineup after Dean Huijsen stepped in against Inter. Edoardo Bove started in the place of Bryan Cristante who was dealing with back issues, and the final change was Nicola Zalewski starting on the left wing in place of Stephen El-Shaarawy
In what has emerged as a similar theme under Daniele De Rossi, Roma came out of the game with energy in the first half and looked like the more likely team to score the majority of the time, with several opportunities to cash in and take a first half lead, including multiple free kicks. In the 10th minute Paulo Dybala provided a great pass through to Lorenzo Pellegrini who was unable to get around Feyenoord GK Timon Wellenreuther and make a crucial intervention. Dybala had a big impact on Roma’s attacking play, which is not unusual but also good to see after a lackluster performance against Inter. Another Dybala pass into the box found the head of Romelu Lukaku, but the downward header bounces straight to Wellenreuther. And right before the end of the first half another Dybala cross to Lukaku resulted in a powerful header that went straight to the goalkeeper.
Feyenoord didn’t have as many opportunities outside of a 21st minute run and shot from Igor Paixao, who was able to get past two Roma defenders in the box before putting a right footed shot just wide of the far post. But right when it looked like the half would end goalless and right after Lukaku’s second missed opportunity Feyenoord would make the Romans pay. After a pass down the left side to Quilindschy Hartman, the Dutchman sent a cross into the Roma box where Paixao was waiting completely unmarked to head the ball past a helpless Svilar to give the home side a 1-0 lead going into the break.
After surviving an initial push by Feyenoord to open the second half that saw Edoardo Bove need a moment after taking a rocket of shot to the ribs / kidney, Roma held possession looking for an equalizing goal but didn’t have any serious opportunities while looking to get the ball in the box. That was until the 65th minute whe Leonardo Spinazzola sent a cross in the direction of Lukaku, and despite this being a far less easy opportunity than the ones he missed, he was able to turn the ball goalwards to the far post and out of reach of the German keeper. A goal that largely came out of nothing tied the match at 1-1.
The goal swung the momentum as the crowd was silenced and Roma continued to push to find a second goal, however around the 75th minute Feyenoord regain control of the ball and the game, keeping the ball in Roma’s third of the field for most of the remainder of the match. And as the clock ticked down the defending Eredivisie champions applied more and more pressure and seemed to be getting closer and closer to a goal. In the 89th minute after some quick one-two passing the ball around in Roma’s box Mats Wieffer found Santiago Gimenez who blasted a shot at Svilar who didn’t have to move to make the save, but with some of the bloopers we have seen from Patricio it seemed impressive by comparison. Only two minutes later in added time Luka Ivanusec fired in a low cross to the far post on a free kick that was only stopped by the post, making Roma fans’ hearts skip a beat. But after seven added minutes the game ended 1-1 with the second leg at the Stadio Olimpco set to settle the tie.
Roma looked good and in control for most of the game but a defensive lapse right before halftime gave them a hole to climb out of, and despite a disappointing outing to that point Romelu Lukaku showed how he can be a difference maker with just one touch of the ball. After telling DDR and the team he could give more it was good to see him rebound, along with Paulo Dybala who looked much more like himself after being largely a nonfactor against Inter. Leandro Paredes also deserves a shoutout for being an important link between the backline and the attack, making a few key passes to free Roma from Feyenoord’s press. He also had a close opportunity to score that was denied by the frame of the goal, putting in a very impressive full 90-minute shift. The last person I'll mention is Mile Svilar, who made an important stop in the end, and looked confident between the posts in a mistake free performance. He will likely start the second leg and more positive performances could see him steal some league starts from Rui Patricio.
Now Roma must not overlook an important Serie A match against Frosinone on Sunday as they are still in a very messy and crowded race for the fourth (and possibly fifth) Champions League spot for next year. And after their match with Frosinone they get the opportunity to end Feyenoord’s European campaign for the third consecutive year, with a win at the Olimpico being the result needed now that the away goals tiebreaker is a relic of the past. But if you asked a Roma fan if they would take a draw in Rotterdam, knowing it would set up a win or go home situation in Roma’s home where they have been so strong all year, that fan would likely give you a resounding yes.
Who will advance?
Roma
Feyenoord
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