Nightmare called “Roma in the Europa League” continues

Roma’s Europa League campaign went from bad to worse as they slumped to a second straight defeat in the competition — and a third loss in their last four matches — despite Paulo Dybala’s efforts to spark a comeback after a disastrous start against Viktoria Plzen.

Coming off setbacks against Lille and Inter, including a heartbreaking missed penalty in their previous European outing, the Giallorossi entered the match under pressure. Angelino was still sidelined with bronchitis, while young defender Jan Ziolkowski was handed his first start.

The hosts, meanwhile, were missing suspended Merchas Doski and several injured regulars, but arrived full of confidence after a 3-0 win over Malmo and a draw with Ferencvaros.

Roma actually started with intent — Artem Dovbyk forced an early save within the first minute — but Plzen quickly showed their menace. Prince Adu threatened with a warning shot into the side-netting before striking for real moments later, muscling past Ziolkowski down the flank and firing beyond Mile Svilar from a sharp angle. The goal is HERE!

Barely had Roma recovered when Cheick Souare unleashed a stunning low drive from distance to double the Czech side’s lead. You can see the goal HERE! It was a brutal one-two punch, and Gian Piero Gasperini reacted decisively, substituting the struggling Ziolkowski after just half an hour for Stephan El Shaarawy, changing shape in a desperate bid to restore balance.

El Shaarawy’s introduction brought some life — his shot deflected off a teammate before another volley was saved — and soon Roma were back in it. A Niccolo Pisilli header was blocked by Vaclav Jemelka’s arm inside the box, prompting a VAR review and a penalty. Dybala made no mistake, sending Martin Jedlicka the wrong way to mark his 200th career goal across club and international play. The goal is HERE!

Roma pushed hard for an equalizer. Pisilli misfired from close range, El Shaarawy curled narrowly wide, and Matias Soule blazed over as chances piled up. But it was Plzen who nearly sealed it again when Leon Bailey cut inside and whipped a brilliant effort just past the far post.

Deep in stoppage time, Evan N’Dicka’s header from a Dybala corner was comfortably saved, and Pisilli’s late finish was ruled out for offside.

Roma’s frustration was complete — another night of costly mistakes, missed opportunities, and growing pressure on a team struggling to find its rhythm in Europe.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 3

Thursday

Braga - Crvena Zvezda 2-0 (1-0)

/Navarro 22, Dorgeles 72/

Brann - Rangers 3-0 (1-0)

/Kornvig 40, Sorensen 55, Jean Holm 79/

FCSB - Bologna 1-2 (0-2)

/Birligea 54 - Odgaard 9, Dallinga 12/

Fenerbahce - Stuttgart 1-0 (1-0)

/Akturkoglu 34 pen/

Genk - Betis 0-0

Go Ahead - Aston Villa 2-1 (1-1)

/Suray 42, Deijl 61 - Guessand 4/

Olympique Lyon - Basel 2-0 (1-0)

/Tolisso 3, Moreira 90/

Salzburg - Ferencvaros 2-3 (1-0)

/Baidoo 13, Vertessen 72 - Varga 50, Zachariassen 56, Bamidele 58/

Celta - Nice 2-1 (1-1)

/Aspas 2, Oppong 75 (og) - Ali Cho 16/

Celtic - Sturm 2-1 (0-1)

/Scales 61, Nygren 64 - Horvat 15/

Freiburg - Utrecht 2-0 (2-0)

/Suzuki 20, Grifo 45/

Lille - PAOK 3-4 (0-3)

/Andre 57, Igamane 68, 78 - Meite 18, Zivkovic 23, 74, Konstantelias 42/

Maccabi T. A. - Midtjylland 0-3 (0-1)

/Dju 44, 84, Billing 71/

Malmo - Dinamo Zagreb 1-1 (1-0)

/Lewicki 45+1 - Varela 90+6/

Nott. Forest - Porto 2-0 (1-0)

/Gibbs-White 19 pen, Jesus 77 pen/

Roma - Plzen 1-2 (0-2)

/Dybala 54 pen - Kwabena Adu 20, Souare 22/

Young Boys - Ludogorets 3-2 (1-1)

/Raveloson 45, Fassnacht 53, Bedia 63 pen - Stanic 26, Yordanov 90+2/

Feyenoord - Panathinaikos 3-1 (1-1)

/Read 45+2, Moussa 55, Larin 90 - Swiderski 18/