'El Roma' should be their name: Giallorossi crush Europa League leaders Midtjylland

Roma at last brought their Serie A form to Europe, claiming a vital 2–1 win over previously flawless Midtjylland at the Stadio Olimpico. Neil El Aynaoui and Stephan El Shaarawy delivered the goals - and the relief - as Daniele De Rossi's side grabbed their first home victory of the Europa League campaign.

The Giallorossi struck early. Zeki Celik's perfect cross found El Aynaoui, who steered a superb right-foot volley into the far corner for his first Roma goal. With Dybala back in the XI after three weeks out and the Olimpico pushing, Roma chased a second but were denied by Mbabu's last-ditch defending and a couple of close shaves.

After the break, Svilar kept Roma ahead with key saves, while Soule and Dybala threatened at the other end. Midtjylland replied with danger of their own, Brumado clipping the bar - even if the flag was up.

Roma doubled the lead thanks to El Aynaoui's midfield steal, Bailey's burst down the right, and El Shaarawy's cool finish from 12 yards. The Danes refused to fade, pulling one back through Paulinho after Simsir's cut-back, but Roma held on. El Shaarawy nearly answered instantly, smashing the crossbar from distance. A tense finish, a needed win, and finally a European night that matched Roma's domestic ambitions.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

Matchday 5

Thursday

Aston Villa - Young Boys 2-1 (2-0)

/Malen 27, 42 - Monteiro 90/

Fenerbahce - Ferencvaros 1-1 (0-0)

/Talisca 69 - Varga 66/

Feyenoord - Celtic 1-3 (1-2)

/Ueda 11 - Hyun-Jun 31, Hatate 43, Nygren 82/

Lille - Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 (2-0)

/Correia 21, Mukau 36, Igamane 69, Andre 86/

Ludogorets - Celta 3-2 (1-0)

/Stanic 11 pen, 49, 62 pen - Duran 70, El-Abdellaoui 90+6/

PAOK - Brann 1-1 (0-0)

/Ivanusec 64 - Kornvig 89/

Plzen - Freiburg 0-0

Porto - Nice 3-0 (2-0)

/Veiga 1, 33, Aghehowa 61 pen/

Roma - Midtjylland 2-1 (1-0)

/El Aynaoui 7, El Shaarawy 83 - Paulinho 86/