Roma, 0-0 is enough: Real Sociedad eliminated, Giallorossi in quarters

A goalless draw is enough to advance the round.

Roma from battle in San Sebastian, where a 0-0 draw was enough for the Giallorossi to eliminate Real Sociedad from the Europa League by clinching passage to the quarterfinals of the competition. For Jose Mourinho’s side, also a goal disallowed by var to Smalling and a bad injury suffered by Karsdorp.

Roma, although strong from the 2-0 collected in the first leg match at the Olimpico, started the match at its best: after a few moments Pellegrini terrorized the home defense with a free kick that was almost not exploited by Smalling, then again from the spot he provided Dybala with a ball that Sorloth deflected inches wide of the post. At halftime David Silva, Mendez and Merino tried for Real Sociedad, without bothering Rui Patricio too much. Then, as halftime draws nearer and nearer, Karsdorp has to leave the game after a foul by Diego Rico and Smalling sees the goal of the lead cancelled by Var: his arm control was decisive.

Roma manages to resist Real Sociedad’s attacks even at the beginning of the second half, when they are particularly vehement: Sorloth, however, misses everything on an assist from Mendez, then the latter wins only a corner. After the hour’s play Rui Patricio then becomes heroic, with a cracking intervention on Oyarzabal, who then also hits the crossbar. Abraham and then El Shaarawy tried to give Roma a breather, but they also trembled on attempts by Zubeldia and Fernandez, who was sent off as time expired after an argument with Smalling.