Soulé pulls the strings, Svilar stands firm, and Roma claim a third straight Europa League win to set up a decisive trip to Athens.
Roma made it three Europa League victories in a row with a solid 2-0 win over Stuttgart at the Olimpico, a result that guarantees at least a playoff spot and leaves the Giallorossi with a clear objective on the final matchday: beat Panathinaikos and secure direct qualification to the Round of 16.
The opening phase belonged to the visitors, who threatened early through Leweling, only to be denied by an excellent reflex save from Mile Svilar. That moment proved crucial, as Roma gradually grew into the game and began to dictate the tempo through the quality of Matías Soulé between the lines.
The breakthrough arrived five minutes before halftime. Soulé threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Pisilli, whose late run caught Stuttgart’s defense flat-footed. From a tight angle, the midfielder bent his shot across goal and in off the far side, effectively under the crossbar, to make it 1-0.
Stuttgart came out with renewed intent after the break and had a huge opportunity to level the match. Undav had two clear chances in quick succession: the first was well saved by Svilar, the second a glaring miss, as the striker blasted into the stands from point-blank range after a fortunate rebound.
That scare pushed Roma into game-management mode. Gian Piero Gasperini rotated intelligently, introducing fresh legs and experience, including N’Dicka, Cristante, Wesley and Dybala. Stuttgart continued to push and came agonizingly close when Demirovic stabbed goalward from close range, but once again Svilar was decisive, with N’Dicka clearing the danger just before the follow-up.
As the visitors overcommitted in search of an equalizer, Roma sealed the result deep into stoppage time. Dybala slipped a clever pass into space for Pisilli, who showed composure and timing once more to beat Nübel and complete his brace.
With this win, Roma now control their destiny. Victory in Athens will send them straight into the Europa League Round of 16—no calculations required.
Match Report
Roma 2-0 Stuttgart
Goals:
40’ Pisilli (Roma)
90+3’ Pisilli (Roma)
Roma (3-4-2-1):
Svilar; Çelik, Ziolkowski (N’Dicka 59’), Ghilardi; Rensch, Koné (Cristante 60’), Pisilli, Tsimikas (Wesley 72’); Soulé (Mancini 84’), Pellegrini (Dybala 72’); Ferguson.
Coach: Gasperini
Stuttgart (4-2-3-1):
Nübel; Assignon (Vagnoman 82’), Chabot, Jeltsch, Hendriks; Andres (Spalt 82’), Karazor; Leweling, Führich (Demirovic 70’), Mittelstädt (Bouanani 70’); Undav.
Coach: Hoeness
Referee: Brooks (England)
Yellow cards: Mittelstädt, Chabot (Stuttgart); Çelik (Roma)
Red cards: None
