UEL | Roma 3-4 Bologna (4-5 agg): Rossoblu win thrilling Italian Derby
UEL | Roma 3-4 Bologna (4-5 agg): Rossoblu win thrilling Italian Derby Roma came back repeatedly to force the tie to extra time after a 3-3 thriller at the Stadio Olimpico, but Bologna will face Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-final. The first leg ended 1-1 , so it was all to play for in this Italian derby for the chance to face Aston Villa in the quarter-final. Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson were still out injured, with Lorenzo Venturino not on the UEFA list, after just two draws in four competitive games.
Lukasz Skorupski picked up an injury in the win at Sassuolo, so Federico Ravaglia took the Rossoblu gloves. The Stadio Olimpico is a special venue for Bologna, as they won the Coppa Italia here last season. See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Santiago Castro went on a rapid counter-attack for the finish deflected wide by Zeki Celik, but Roma were forced into an early change when Manu Koné hobbled off the field with a muscular issue. Moments later, Bologna took the lead when Jonathan Rowe smashed a ferocious effort into the roof of the net from the edge of the area, but Roma complained that the England striker had pushed Gianluca Mancini in the build-up, creating that gap through the centre of their defence. Svilar got down for a one-handed save on Federico Bernardeschi’s angled drive, but after Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free kick smacked against the top of the upright, it was scrambled out for a corner.
From this set play, Evan Ndicka rose in the crowd to nod in Roma’s equaliser from six yards. ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Evan Ndicka of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Bryan Cristante during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Malen just failed to connect with a Mancini glancing header at the back post, while Svilar parried a Joao Mario attempt after a corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Stephan El Shaarawy bundled into the back of Nadir Zortea and the referee pointed to the spot. Bernardeschi sent Svilar the wrong way to convert and restore Bologna’s advantage. ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna celebrates scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy.
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