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Roma on the driving seat after away comeback (1-2)

Roma clinched a valuable first leg advantage on Thursday night, as they came from behind to beat Ajax 2-1 at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Pedro formed on the starting line-up and played an 88-minute sparkling performance, as the first goal came from a set-piece action earned by the Spaniard on the edge of the box.

Lorenzo Pellegrini and Roger Ibanez scored the second half goals for Paulo Fonseca’s side, cancelling out Davy Klaassen’s first half finish for the hosts.

In truth it was four minutes early in the second half that turned the game around – as Pau Lopez saved a Dusan Tadic penalty before Lorenzo Pellegrini steered home a free-kick.

From staring at a 2-0 deficit to being back on level terms and with an away goal to their credit, that positive momentum proved crucial as Ibanez then lashed in a sweetly-struck volley in the final few minutes.

It was a brilliant goal from the Argentine to decide the leg - and give Roma the advantage heading into next Thursday's second leg at the Stadio Olimpico.

Prior to that the Giallorossi are in Serie A action on Sunday: Bologna are the visitors to the capital.

 

- Match stats:

Ajax (4-3-3): Scherpen; Rensch (Klaiber 78'), Timber, Martinez, Tagliafico; Alvarez, Klaassen, Gravenberch; Antony (Idrissi 88'), Tadic, Neres (Brobbey 64').

Roma (3-4-2-1): Pau Lopez; Ibanez, Cristante, Mancini; Peres, Diawara, Veretout (Villar 77'), Spinazzola (Calafiori 29'); Pedro (Perez 89'), Pellegrini; Dzeko (Mayoral 77').

Bookings: Rensch 71', Peres 78',Martínez 86', Cristante 90', Calafiori 90+4'.

Goals: Klaassen (39'), Pellegrini (57'), Ibanez (88').

- Match report by asroma.com