ROMA SUFFER DEFEAT AT HOME

Italian side AS Roma suffered disgrace at home when they hosted Porto in the play-off game ahead of the start of the UEFA Champions League.

Roma forced Porto to a 1-1 draw back in Portugal, setting themselves up for the advantage with the return leg. Felipe gave the visitors the lead from as early as the 8th minute. The game was still open but the plans went awry when Daniele De Rossi received the marching orders in the 39th minute, compounding the tasks of the team. The referee felt the high tackle on Maxi Pereira was over the bar. Roma replaced him with Emerson Palmieri. After the 15 minutes break, Roma suffered another mishap with Palmieri receiving a straight red card, lasting just 11 minutes in the crucial game.

Porto were tactically disciplined and punished the host for their mistakes. However, it took 23 minutes after the second red card to break the defence as they got the second goal through Miguel Layun. Layun sent the ball into an empty net after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny charged out without much thought. Barely two minutes later, Jesus Corona turned his marker silly, adding the third goal. The two quick goals weakened Roma completely.

The draw for the season’s group stage games is set for Thursday, with Porto being among the ports. Roma becomes the third team in the Serie A to lose the play-off. Italy would be left with two slots, with Juventus and Napoli being the representatives. For the past seasons, Roma have not had it nice in Europe. They lost 6-1 to Barcelona in the last campaign, and 7-1 to German champions Bayern Munich two seasons ago.