After losing consecutive league matches for the first time under Gian Piero Gasperini—dull, uninspiring losses at that—Roma rebounded with a convincing victory over Celtic in the Europa League this evening in Glasgow. With the rain pouring down at Celtic Park, Roma wasted little time pressing the issue against their Scottish opponents, dispatching the Glaswegians in an easy breezy three-nil win.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Roma needed some luck early in the match. After taking the lead in the 6th
minute with what looked like a thumping header from Gianluca Mancini, a closer look revealed that Mancini received a helping hand (or head) from Celtic center-back Liam Scales, who inadvertently (though to great effect) blasted a header into his own net. In the annals of own goals, it wasn’t the most egregious mistake we’ve ever seen, but Scales really drilled that one!
Roma would score of their own accord thirty minutes later when Evan Ferguson tapped home a square ball from Zeki Celik on the right wing—a play started by a calm yet decisive run from Matías Soulé down the right channel. Ferguson added his second goal six minutes later, making a delicate first touch on a diagonal ball from Soulé, settling the ball, turning, and firing in one smooth motion.
The Giallorossi conceded a penalty several minutes later, but fortune was smiling on Roma, as Arne Engels PK clanged off the woodwork, preserving Roma’s cleansheet.
Thanks to today’s victory, Roma moved into 10th place on the EL table with two matches remaining.
