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Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from the Europa League play-off, as Roma pay a visit to FC Porto.
It kicks off at the Estadio do Dragao at 20.00 GMT.
The second leg will be next Thursday evening at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Giallorossi finished 15th in the league phase, with Porto in 18th place, but the hosts changed coach by bringing in Martin Anselmi on January 27.
The last time these teams met was the 2019 Europa League quarter-final, won here in extra time by Porto after losing 2-1 in Rome.
“What I cannot stand for is how it is possible that Mr Rosetti, who the whole world knows is an upstanding individual, thoroughly honest, send to Oporto a referee who in 22 games he officiated the away teams managed only nine draws? All the others were home victories.
“You are upstanding, but do you know this? It’s a fiery atmosphere, the crowd blows and he moves in their direction, and you assign him to this fixture? I don’t understand why.”
Stieler handed out eight yellow cards to Roma players, including a red plus a dismissal from the touchline for a member of Ranieri’s staff, compared to just three bookings for the Porto players.
“He was going around promising cards to some, giving them to others. In my view, he was waiting for something to happen inside the penalty area so he could give them the victory,” continued the coach.
“It was clear. This is why the lads were irritable, because you cannot do something like that.”
Did Ranieri perceive the referee was predisposed towards Porto?
“Did I perceive he was predisposed? I had warned the players, do not protest ever! Because this is how he officiates. It is the referee who does his job, he is convinced that he did it well, but eight yellow cards for us, a red… Some were fair, don’t get me wrong, but you cannot go around irritating players like this from the get-go.”
When he rushed onto the field after the final whistle, was he trying to stop the players getting into trouble by protesting with the referee?
“I also didn’t want them to even salute him. He did not deserve a salute,” replied Ranieri. “Seeing something like this on an international pitch… It’s done now, we move on.”
Never. Seen. Ranieri. This. Angry.
Well, Ranieri remains furious…. Not sure we’ve ever seen him this angry.
“I am happy with the goal, I am always ready to help the team. We controlled the game well, now we need to win the second leg. The referee gave a lot of yellow cards, we wanted to play an aggressive style, but we were not allowed to with so many cards.
“The coach told me this morning that I would start. I am happy, I always want to help the team.
“A 1-1 result away is not bad, we wanted to win, though it is not easy to do well here. Now at the Stadio Olimpico, we have to win.”
It's all boiling over 🤬
Claudio Ranieri is absolutely incensed at full-time, as his Roma side earned a share of the spoils in Porto.
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 13, 2025
More dreadful refereeing, Roma had taken the lead with Celik, then a lucky deflection followed by the Cristante red.
Claudio Ranieri rushes onto the pitch and urges his players to leave before they get into more trouble for arguing with the referee!
Europa League | Porto 1-1 Roma: Solid first leg result for Giallorossi
Red card for someone on the Roma bench, because why not at this point?
Goncalo Borges cross from the right also cleared, Roma hanging on. Another cross in and N’Dicka with a towering header, then Svilar punches another cross in. It’s a siege!
Pepe eventually puts the 500th cross out of play!
Porto wanted another ludicrous last-minute penalty of the week, but VAR checked and said no. They were arguing handball, which again was ridiculous.
Paredes still has time to get booked, because he’s Paredes.
Yellow card also given to Baldanzi for trying to stall the Porto free kick. This ref loves a yellow card.
Gul and N’Dicka get into a tangle in the box as a cross comes in, Namaso eventually curls and again it’s well off target.
Dangerous Joao Mario cross into the box, but Svilar is commanding and plucks it out of the air.
Into 4 minutes of added time after Zaidu header goes well wide.
Baldanzi tries to take some of the pressure off, his shot is charged down on the edge of the box by Tiago Djalo’.
Namaso blasts high and wide from outside the area. Keep doing that, Porto.
They've conceded an equaliser, and now they're down to 10 🟥
Cristante sees his second yellow for a pull, and Roma are in a bit of trouble now in Porto.
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/KwLGJjIB33
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 13, 2025
Samu and Francisco Moura off, Gul and Zaidu on for Porto.
Cross whipped in from the right, Francisco Moura with a towering header over El Shaarawy to knock it down, but beyond Samu and it is hoofed clear. Roma under siege now.
Another corner is cleared as far as Fabio Vieira, whose volley goes wide from the edge of the area.
Fabio Vieira with a frankly over-ambitious free kick, straight into the wall.
Roma had been in control, it all changed in a few minutes, now Porto putting together a series of corners and one lands at the feet of Goncalo Borges, who volleys it over when totally undisturbed from seven yards!
Paredes replaces Dovbyk to shore up the Roma midfield.
Namaso on, Otavio off for Porto.
Bryan Cristante sent off.
Cristante was already on a yellow and we already saw how fussy this referee is. Small shirt tug on Eustaquio and he did not let that go.
Otavio booked for a rugby tackle on Baldanzi.
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