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After the 4-1 victory over Lecce that seems to have restored some serenity, Roma returns to the field at the Olimpico to face Braga in the sixth matchday of the League Phase of the Europa League. Six points in the standings for the Giallorossi, seven for the Portuguese, with two home wins against Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Hoffenheim, a draw, and two losses against Olympiacos and Bodo Glimt.

There have been only two previous meetings between Roma and Braga, both dating back to 2021 when the Romans, coached by Fonseca, won both the first leg and the return leg of the round of 16 by 0-2 and 3-1, respectively.

The usual large crowd is present to support Ranieri’s eleven: in fact, more than 50,000 fans will fill the stadium.

Official Lineups

ROMA (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, N’Dicka; Abdulhamid, Koné, Pisilli, Zalewski; Soulé, Pellegrini; Dybala. Coach: Ranieri.

BRAGA (4-3-3): Matheus; Ferreira, Oliveira, Bambu, Fernandes; Gorby Moutinho, Gharbi; Martinez, El Ouazzani, R. Horta Coach: Carvalhal.

Referee: Siebert (GER)  Assistants: Seidel-Foltyn (GER) Fourth official: Schlager (GER)  VAR: Storks (GER) AVAR: Dankert (GER)

Live Updates

FIRST HALF

1′ – The match begins in a charged Olimpico with the visiting fans responding with a lavish display. The first possession will be in favor of Braga.

4′ – A period of study between the two teams with frequent changes of possession. Braga does not give up the build-up from the back despite the initial high pressure from the Giallorossi.

6′ – First corner of the match for the Portuguese. Roger Fernandes’ cross is promptly cleared by the Roman defense.

10′ – ROMA TAKES THE LEAD! Lorenzo Pellegrini receives the ball from Zalewski at the edge of the area and has no problems placing a right-footed shot into the top corner. Worth noting is N’Dicka’s smart pass to the Polish midfielder. The first goal of the season for the Giallorossi captain.

15′ – Roma in confidence and close to doubling their lead: Pellegrini again in the spotlight with a header hitting the crossbar with Matheus beaten on Mancini’s cross.

18′ – Braga responds promptly with attempts from Gabri Martinez and Roger Fernandes, both blocked by a double intervention from Hummels.

19′ – Second corner for the Portuguese: Joao Moutinho takes it, Pellegrini clears.

24′ – More possession for the visitors in the last few minutes, with the Giallorossi staying alert and ready to counterattack as done by Dybala who wins a corner kick.

25′– The corner is taken by the Argentine, but the cross is cleared.

26′– Pellegrini denied by the crossbar again on a close-range deflected attempt. The action is then halted by Assistant Seidel for an offside call on Soulé who had set up the shot for the Roman number 7.

29′ – Unreal touch by Dybala on Svilar’s clearance, the Argentine number 21 sets up Soulé who misses the target with a curling left-footed shot.

30′ – Huge chance for Roma, again with Pellegrini opening up for a close-range shot after Koné’s assist, but Paulo Oliveira’s deflection is crucial. From the ensuing corner, two long-range attempts by Pisilli and Dybala are both saved.

32′ – The first yellow card of the match. Roger Fernandes receives it for pulling Zalewski at the edge of the penalty area after a dribble.

33′ – Dybala takes the resulting free-kick, his effort worries Matheus who manages to deal with it in the end.

35′ – The Joya tries again with a low left-footed shot from distance blocked by Matheus diving to his left.

39′ – Dangerous counterattack from the visitors expertly closed down by Hummels who prevents Ricardo Horta’s close-range shot.

41′ – Once again the Zalewski-Pellegrini duo in action: the Polish player wriggles free on the left, lays it off for the Roman captain who tests Matheus with a curling right-footed shot, forcing the goalkeeper to tip it over for a corner, from which N’Dicka rises highest but is denied again by the visiting number 1.

43′ – Double corner for the hosts following Mancini’s long-range effort, the visiting defense withstands the pressure.

45′ – One minute of added time indicated by referee Siebert.

46′ – The first half ends 1-0 thanks to Pellegrini’s early goal. A well-deserved lead for the home team.

SECOND HALF

46′ – One change each: Bambu off, Marin on for the visitors, Dybala off, Dovbyk on for Roma.

47′ – ROMA DOUBLES THEIR LEAD! First goal in Giallorossi colors for Saud Abdulhamid who receives a lateral pass from Koné, cuts inside the penalty area, and beats the onrushing Matheus with a low right-footed shot under the crossbar. A well-deserved 2-0 lead.

50′ – Braga now struggling: captain Ricardo Horta booked for a foul on Pellegrini.

51′ – On the subsequent free-kick, Assistant Foltyn correctly disallows Mancini’s 3-0 goal for an offside on N’Dicka’s shot.

54′ – A huge chance wasted by the Giallorossi with Pellegrini seeing his double denied by Paulo Oliveira’s timely sliding block. A splendid pass from Dovbyk to start the move.

56′ – Double substitution for Braga: Joao Moutinho and Ricardo Horta off, Zalazar and André Horta on.

60′ – Abdulhamid invents a chance for Soulé, shielded one-on-one twice by Matheus who then repeats his heroics to deny Hummels from the ensuing corner kick.

63′ – Only Roma on the pitch: Pisilli wastes the 3-0 opportunity on Soulé’s central delivery.

64′ – Koné bursting through releases Soulé for a shot but the striker fails to hit the target in a one-on-one with Matheus.

68′ – Straight red card for Matheus, guilty of handling the ball outside the box on Saud Abdulhamid’s attempted chip, triggered by a panoramic pass from N’Dicka. Braga down to ten men.

70′ – Forced change for Braga, as Gharbi makes way for second-choice goalkeeper Hornicek.

73′ – Yellow card for Hummels for a late tackle on El Ouazzani. The first caution for Roma at home.

74′– Flurry of substitutions: Soulé, Pellegrini, and Hummels off to make way for El Shaarawy, Saelemaekers, and Hermoso. Last change for Braga, El Ouazzani off, Roberto Fernandez on.

76′ – The visitors threaten in the Roma box: Marin’s effort hits the side netting.

78′ – Rapid Roma counterattack leads to El Shaarawy’s powerful shot on Hornicek’s parry, saved on the line by Joao Ferreira.

85′ – Final change for Roma as Pisilli is replaced by Le Fée.

86′ – Roma close to 3-0 again: a great exchange between Dovbyk and Abdulhamid sets up El Shaarawy for a shot, blocked by Joao Ferreira.

90′ – Four minutes of added time.

91′ – 3-0 ROMA! First goal in Giallorossi colors for Hermoso as he taps in the rebound from Hornicek’s save on N’Dicka’s effort.

94′– Referee Siebert blows the final whistle, confirming Roma’s second victory in the Europa League League Phase. The Giallorossi climb to 9 points.

Final Comment

Roma dominates and wins, overtaking Braga in the standings, moving to 9 points and fueling hopes for a top 8 finish.

The goals from Pellegrini (his first of the season), Saud Abdulhamid, and Hermoso (both scoring their first in Giallorossi colors), one in each half. A second consecutive victory for Roma who will return to action on Sunday to face Como.