Romelu Lukaku scored an equalizer as Roma escaped defeat at De Kuip Stadium.
Roma drew 1-1 with Feyenoord in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday. The Giallorossi will only have the home advantage when they face their opponents again next week.
What happened?
Feyenoord’s fantastic start to the game almost led to their opener in the 20th minute, but Igor Paixao’s shot went just wide of the left post.
Roma grew into the game as the first half went on, but it was the hosts who made it 1-0 just before the break. Paixao headed home a brilliant cross from Quilindschy Hartman to break the deadlock.
The visitors doubled down on their attacks at the beginning of the second period but had to wait until the 67th minute to finally find the equalizer. Romelu Lukaku, who had missed two close-range headers in the first half, made it 1-1 by converting a low cross from Leonardo Spinazzola.
The visitors had a few more chances to score but lacked enough attacking edge to complete their comeback.
Feyenoord vs Roma: Man of the Match
Lukaku made another decisive performance for Roma as they drew 1-1 with Feyenoord in the Europa League. The Belgian striker scored his side’s equalizer while winning all five of his ground and aerial duels throughout the game.
Player Ratings
Feyenoord: Wellenreuther (7); Nieuwkoop (6), Beelen (6), Hancko (6), Hartman (7); Stengs (7), Zerrouki (6), Wieffer (7); Minteh (6), Ueda (6), Paixao (7).
Bench: Lingr (5), Gimenez (7), Ivanusec (7), Read (6), Milambo (6).
AS Roma: Svilar (8); Karsdorp (6), Mancini (6), Llorente (6), Spinazzola (7); Bove (7), Paredes (7), Pellegrini (6); Dybala (7), Lukaku (8), Zalewski (7).
Bench: El Shaarawy (6), Celik (6), Baldanzi (5), Cristante (6).