Europa League: Roma secure top eight spot

AS Roma on Thursday night qualified for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League after being held to a 1-1 draw by police authorities in the final game of the group phase.

Roma occupied the 8th spot on the log with 16 points from 8 games, while the Greek hosts finished in the 20th spot to secure a playoff ticket.

Roma were able to hold on to the draw despite playing over 75 minutes with ten men after Gianluca Mancini was issued a red card.

Roma went into the tie knowing fully well that they were at least guaranteed a play-off spot, and went into the final round in sixth place.

Lorenzo Pellegrini released Kostas Tsimikas in the opening minute, and the on-loan defender stung Alban Lafont’s gloves.

Matias Soulé and Pellegrini failed to make the most of an error playing out from the back.

Jan Ziolkowski also missed a chance to put Roma ahead as he volleyed wide from a Pellegrini free kick.

 Roma were reduced to 10 men after just 15 minutes as Mancini was given the marching orders.

The referee had initially shown a yellow card when the defender hauled back Milos Pantovic by the shoulder, but it was updated to a red card as he was the last man and in the final third.

Pantovic was again through on 33 minutes, but  Bryan Cristante sprinted back and kept his cool for a great tackle.

The hosts almost went ahead in the 37th minute when a ferocious Georgios Katris strike thumped the underside of the crossbar.

Giant Piero Gasperini brought on Evan Ndicka in the restart to bolster the defence, and an audacious Zeki Celik volley off the outside of the boot swung not far wide of the target.

Panathinaikos eventually went ahead, punishing Roma for a defensive error. Daniele Ghilardi failed to realise that Vicente Taborda was behind him when flicking on the long ball, so the player intercepted and drilled past Pierluigi Gollini.

Substitute Devyne Rensch almost scored with his first touch, springing the offside trap only to over-hit the lob.

Roma then level matters when Niccolò Pisilli’s cross was flicked on by a defender, and Jan Ziolkowski scored with a diving header at the back post.

The momentum then shifted to the Gialorossi, who were pushing to get all three points late on.

The goalie smothered Ghilardi’s half-volley to ensure the game ended all square.