AS Roma kept their UEFA Europa League hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at the Stadio Olimpico, securing a place in the knockout play-offs. A first-half strike from Angelino and a second-half goal from Eldor Shomurodov ensured Claudio Ranieri’s side extended their impressive home record, while Frankfurt, despite the loss, advanced directly to the round-of-16.
Roma, needing a win to avoid elimination, started brightly but found Frankfurt’s defensive structure difficult to break down. The breakthrough finally came just before half-time when Angelino arrived at the back post to fire home from a Gianluca Mancini cross.
Frankfurt, already assured of their place in the next round, struggled to create clear chances against Roma’s well-drilled backline. Substitute Shomurodov put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute, slotting past Kevin Trapp after a well-weighted pass from Matías Soulé.
This was the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides, with Roma making their home advantage count to extend their strong European form. The Giallorossi have now lost just three of their last 46 home matches in Europe. They will face either Ferencváros or Porto in the play-offs, while Frankfurt await their round-of-16 opponents.
As it happened
The visitors started with confidence, and Hugo Larsson forced Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar into an early save with a powerful header in the 22nd minute. But despite Frankfurt’s early pressure, Roma gradually took control. Artem Dovbyk missed a golden opportunity in the 13th minute, firing over from close range after Angelino’s cutback.
The Giallorossi continued to press, and their persistence paid off just before the break. In the 44th minute, Gianluca Mancini floated a cross to the back post, where Angelino met it with a sharp-angled volley. Kevin Trapp got a hand to it, but the ball deflected off a defender and into the net to give Roma a crucial lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrankfurt looked to respond after the restart, but Roma’s defensive discipline kept them at bay. The visitors’ best chance came in the 50th minute when Arthur Theate rose highest to meet a cross, only for Svilar to produce a stunning reflex save.
Claudio Ranieri turned to his bench for fresh legs, introducing Eldor Shomurodov in the 67th minute, and the Uzbek forward made an instant impact. Just two minutes after coming on, Matías Soulé played a perfectly timed through ball, and Shomurodov surged into the box before calmly slotting past Trapp to double Roma’s advantage.
Frankfurt pushed forward in the closing stages, but Roma’s backline stood firm. Evan Ndicka and Mancini made crucial blocks to deny Mahmoud Dahoud and Robin Koch, ensuring the Giallorossi saw out the win without major scares.
The final whistle confirmed Roma’s place in the knockout phase play-offs, while Frankfurt – despite the defeat – progressed directly to the round-of-16. Roma will learn of their opponents on Friday.
The lineups
ROM: Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Koné, Paredes, Angeliño; Pellegrini; Dybala, Dovbyk
FRA: Trapp; Theate, Koch, Kristensen; Skhiri, Larsson, Bahoya, Chaïbi; Ekitiké, Tuta, Knauff