UEL | Brighton 1-0 Roma: Quarter-final for De Rossi

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·14 March 2024

UEL | Brighton 1-0 Roma: Quarter-final for De Rossi

Reshuffled Roma suffered a painless defeat to Brighton after the 4-0 first leg victory, booking their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Following a 4-0 first leg win and with Romelu Lukaku, Chris Smalling, Renato Sanches, Tammy Abraham, Rasmus Kristensen and Dean Huijsen out, the Giallorossi also rested Paulo Dybala. Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton missed Joao Pedro, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma, but Juan Enciso made his first start in the Europa League after missing the entire group phase.

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Sardar Azmoun intercepted a wayward Simon Adingra pass just outside the box and his strike skimmed the upright, while Billy Gilmour volleyed over after a poor clearance and Gross drilled wide.

Azmoun had the ball in the net on 23 minutes with an acrobatic finish to hook it back over his head, but the goal was disallowed for dangerous play, even though it seemed to be Jan Paul van Hecke who went towards the Roma striker’s raised leg.

The referee denies Roma the lead through an unbelievable acrobatic finish 👀 📺 Watch the #UEL and #UECL live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/XXbDyQ705F — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 14, 2024

Instead, Brighton took the lead when Danny Welbeck was given too much time and space on the edge of the area to curl right-footed into the far top corner.

pic.twitter.com/jHKLYmKbrf — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 14, 2024

Mile Svilar had to be alert on the Ansu Fati cross-shot that Welbeck failed to connect with, while Leonardo Spinazzola thumped the frame of the goal with a cross-shot after a strong run.

Brighton also threatened with a sensational Svilar reaction save from close range on Simon Adingra’s bullet header, while Van Hecke nodded a couple of chances over and the goalkeeper was right behind an Igor snapshot.

Ansu Fati volleyed wide of the near post and forced an acrobatic Svilar save from distance, but while it is only the second defeat of De Rossi’s Roma coaching career, it is a painless one.