El Aynaoui shines again, El Shaarawy delivers off the bench, and Dybala returns as Roma earn a crucial Matchday 5 win.
Roma bounced back in the Europa League with a 2–1 victory over Midtjylland at the Stadio Olimpico, moving to nine points in the single-table format and keeping qualification hopes strong. Goals from the red-hot El Aynaoui and a decisive late strike by Stephan El Shaarawy were enough to secure the result, despite a late scare from Paulinho.
Gasperini opted to start Paulo Dybala, finally back from injury, and the Argentine immediately added fluency to Roma’s attack. The breakthrough came early: El Aynaoui — riding a remarkable form wave — met Celik’s half-height cross with a brilliant first-time finish to put Roma ahead.
Midtjylland struggled to generate danger but came close through Castillo, set up by the highly-watched Franculino. Roma’s biggest issue in the first half came with Manu Koné, forced off after a heavy challenge from Diao.
In the second half, Roma pushed again, with El Shaarawy and Bailey injecting pace and creativity. Their combination produced the second goal: Bailey slipped a pass to El Shaarawy, whose mishit right-footer still found the net for 2–0.
The visitors, however, refused to fold. Paulinho pulled one back minutes later, finishing a move started by Sismir, putting pressure back on Roma. El Shaarawy nearly sealed it with a thunderous shot off the crossbar at 90’, but the Giallorossi held firm to claim a vital European win and head confidently toward Sunday’s showdown with Napoli.
Match Report
Roma 2–1 Midtjylland
Scorers: 7’ El Aynaoui (Roma), 83’ El Shaarawy (Roma), 87’ Paulinho (Midtjylland)
Roma (3-4-2-1):
Svilar; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Mancini; Celik (79’ Tsimikas), El Aynaoui, Koné (28’ Cristante), Wesley; Soulé (63’ Ferguson), Pellegrini (63’ El Shaarawy); Dybala (79’ Bailey).
Manager: Gasperini
Midtjylland (3-5-2):
Olafsson; Diao, Erlic, Bech; Mbabu, Castillo (60’ Byskov), Bravo (46’ Brumado), Billing, Jensen (67’ Paulinho); Gogorza (46’ Osorio), Franculino (75’ Sismir).
Manager: Tullberg
Referee: Dabanovic (Montenegro)
Bookings: Cristante (Roma); Osorio, Erlic, Bech (Midtjylland); Mancini (Roma)
Red Cards: None
