Roma absolutely dominated Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton and Hove Albion for a 4-0 Europa League victory with Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante goals.
The Giallorossi had Tammy Abraham injured, plus Rasmus Kristensen and Dean Huijsen ineligible, while Rick Karsdorp was not fully fit. The Seagulls missed Joao Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma, Solly March, James Milner and Jack Hinshelwood, but Billy Gilmour returned as his three-match ban only applied to the Premier League.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
After just two minutes, Jason Steele flew to palm a Romelu Lukaku header out from under the bar on Leonardo Spinazzola’s cross.
Yet Brighton clipped the upright soon after when Simon Adingra cut inside and his cross was deflected onto the near post by Evan Ndicka.
Dybala ran onto a long Leandro Paredes ball over the top, controlled it with skill and drew the goalkeeper out to deposit into an empty net. Initially it was flagged offside, but VAR confirmed La Joya started his run at the right time to put Roma in front.
NO OFFISDE… GOAL! 🖥️
A composed Paulo Dybala finish means Brighton must come from behind against Roma…#UEL pic.twitter.com/cj0rXUfH3K
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 7, 2024
Mile Svilar had to use his legs to parry a Danny Welbeck header after more good work from Adingra, while Tariq Lamptey sprinted back to prevent Stephan El Shaarawy going clear on Dybala’s pass.
Lorenzo Pellegrini had a shot charged down after a counter-attack sparked by Dybala’s back-heel flick for Zeki Celik.
Roma doubled their lead when Lewis Dunk was caught napping when trying to control another long Paredes pass over the top, allowing Lukaku to snatch it, run clear and surprise Steele at the near post.
Classic Romelu Lukaku 😮💨
Roma double their lead against Brighton!#UEL pic.twitter.com/QhV3mokqEm
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 7, 2024
In first half stoppages, Svilar had to acrobatically fingertip a Welbeck header over the bar from yet another Adingra cross.
After the restart, Steele made another desperate save on Lukaku’s header from a Spinazzola cross.
Roma had the ball in the net on 64 minutes as a corner was not cleared very well and Stephan El Shaarawy floated the ball to the back post for Gianluca Mancini to volley in as he came sliding in from four yards.
Unmarked and on target 🎯
Gianluca Mancini adds a third for Roma!
It's a long way back for Brighton now…#UEL pic.twitter.com/TYRwxjPRnb
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 7, 2024
They had barely finished celebrating when there was a fourth, as El Shaarawy completed a give and go with Spinazzola down the left, stood up a cross from the by-line for the Bryan Cristante diving header at the back post.
Roma running 𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙩 😤
Bryan Crisante scores Roma's fourth as it becomes a case of damage limitation for Brighton…#UEL pic.twitter.com/VIz1h8jYp2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 7, 2024
Brighton tried to get one back, Dunk and Welbeck missing the target, so Roma have a 4-0 advantage for the second leg next week.
Roma 4-0 Brighton
Dybala 13 (R), Lukaku 43 (R), Mancini 64 (R), Cristante 68 (R)
Player statistic
| Paulo Dybala (Assist: Leandro Paredes) |
 |
12' | ||
| 38' |  |
Jan Paul van Hecke | ||
| Romelu Lukaku | |
43' |
| Leonardo Spinazzola | |
61' | ||
| Gianluca Mancini (Assist: Stephan El Shaarawy) |
|
64' | ||
| 67' | |
Tariq Lamptey | ||
| Bryan Cristante (Assist: Stephan El Shaarawy) |
|
68' |
Match statistic
