UEL | Feyenoord 1-1 Roma: Lukaku snatches Dutch draw

Romelu Lukaku’s header gave Roma a precious 1-1 draw away to Feyenoord in the first leg of the Europa League play-off, while both teams hit the woodwork.

The second leg will be at the Stadio Olimpico on February 22 with the winners going through to the Round of 16. The Giallorossi knocked this team out of Europe for two years running in the Conference League Final and Europa League quarter-finals.

The Dutch side dropped down from the Champions League, with Justin Bijlow, Quinten Timber, Gernot Trauner, Lutsharel Geertruida, Thomas van den Belt and Gjivai Zechiel out of action, plus top scorer Santiago Gimenez only fit for the bench with a calf issue. Daniele De Rossi made his European coaching debut without Tammy Abraham and Evan Ndicka, while Dean Huijsen and Rasmus Kristensen are not on the UEFA list, but Nicola Zalewski was used in a more advanced role.

The goalkeeper rushed out to push the ball off Lorenzo Pellegrini’s feet and Paulo Dybala was offside when his follow-up was cleared off the line by David Hancko.

A Romelu Lukaku header was straight at Timon Wellenreuther and Igor Paixao’s angled drive skimmed the far post on the counter, while Mats Wieffer and Paixao failed to get enough power behind efforts into the arms of Mile Svilar.

Roma had a huge chance on 40 minutes when Leandro Paredes saw his ferocious strike from distance fingertipped onto the crossbar by Wellenruther.

The goalkeeper rushed off his line and used his chest to charge down Dybala’s finish after a give and go with Lukaku, then on the resulting corner the Belgian’s free header was straight at him.

Instead, it was Feyenoord who took the lead moments later and very much against the run of play. Quilindschy Hartman whipped in a cross from the left and found Paixao totally unmarked to nod in at the back post undisturbed.

Feyenoord take the lead right before half-time! 💫

Daniele De Rossi's Roma need a big second half! 🔥#UEL pic.twitter.com/RFXPQY7nfd

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 15, 2024

After the restart, Edoardo Bove threw himself in the way of an Ayase Ueda strike on a free kick routine, while Dybala and Lukaku couldn’t keep their efforts down.

Roma did equalise when Lukaku crouched down to meet the Spinazzola cross from the left, getting in front of his marker for the glancing header into the far top corner from six yards. This was his 20^th goal in 17 Europa League appearances and Lukaku also debuted an unusual new goal celebration, holding one hand over his mouth and miming a gun to his head.

Roma have their equaliser! 🤩

Romelu Lukaku with 17 goals in his last 18 #UEL appearances! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/uMliLpZ7a4

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 15, 2024

Bove was booked for a late challenge and will be suspended for the second leg.

Svilar got down to parry a powerful Santiago Gimenez angled drive at the near post, then he was surprised by a Luka Ivanusec free kick that thumped the upright in stoppages, as the forward had dummied a cross.

Considering that Feyenoord are traditionally much stronger on home turf than away, this is a big result for the Giallorossi against a side that dropped down from the Champions League.

Feyenoord 1-1 Roma

Paixao 45 (F), Lukaku 67 (R)