Athletic Club was unable to hold on to its lead at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and ended up losing 2-1 to the Italian side in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. Despite taking the lead with a goal by Iñaki Williams, the red and white team saw Roma react strongly and, in stoppage time, Eldor Shomurodov scored the definitive goal.
The sending off of Yeray Álvarez in the final minutes left Ernesto Valverde's men down to ten men, something the home side took advantage of to take the win.
A Tough Duel With Few Clear Chances
From the start, the match was played with an intensity befitting the knockout phase of the Europa League. Both teams fought for dominance in midfield, but chances were few and far between in the first half. Roma, led by Paulo Dybala, tried to create danger, but Athletic's defense stood firm.
The Bilbao team also had its moments, with Iñaki Williams and his brother Nico looking for space on the flanks, although they were unable to find much depth. The first serious warning came late in the first half, when Dybala crashed a shot against the crossbar, creating the first big scare for goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Shortly after, the lions responded with an approach by Iñaki Williams, but his shot went wide.
Both teams were cautious, aware that a mistake could cost them dearly. In the first 45 minutes, the match was marked by a tactical struggle rather than clear offensive actions.
Iñaki Williams Opens the Score And Roma Responds
The second half kicked off with Athletic striking the first blow. Just four minutes after the restart, a precisely taken corner kick found Iñaki Williams at the far post. The rojiblanco striker, attentive, took advantage of the extension inside the area to send the ball into the back of the net and make it 0-1.
The goal emboldened the visiting team, who tried to maintain their lead by pressing high. However, Roma soon reacted and began to push forward with more intensity. The equalizer came soon after, when former RB Leipzig player Angeliño took advantage of a loose ball in the box to beat Agirrezabala and make it 1-1.
The equalizer brought tension back into the match, with both teams looking for ways to level the score without losing defensive order. Roma began to generate more danger, while Athletic tried to contain the attacks without giving up the counterattack.
Yeray's Expulsion and Roma's Final Blow
The game became even more complicated for Valverde's side when Yeray Álvarez was shown a second yellow card in the 85th minute. With a player down, Athletic had to retreat and resist the onslaught of Roma, who went all out in search of victory.
The final minutes were a time of suffering for the visitors, who tried to hold on to the draw and take a more favorable result to Bilbao. However, in stoppage time, Roma's insistence was rewarded. Eldor Shomurodov, with a great movement inside the box, found enough space to define with precision and score the 2-1 in the 94′.
The goal was a huge blow for Athletic, who came close to leaving Rome with a draw but ended up losing at the last minute. The frustration was evident in the red and white players, who knew that the result complicated their chances of advancing to the next round.
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All to be Decided at San Mames
Despite the defeat, the tie is still open and Athletic will have the opportunity to come back at home. San Mames, which has already been a fortress on other European nights, will have to play a key role in the second leg if Los Leones want to stay alive in the Europa League.
Valverde's team will need to correct mistakes and improve their defensive capacity, especially in the final minutes of the game. The expulsion of Yeray also means an important loss for the return leg, so the coach will have to look for alternatives at the back.
Roma, for their part, will arrive with the advantage on the scoreboard and with the confidence of having demonstrated their strength at home. However, they know that San Mames is not an easy stage and that Athletic will fight until the end to try to turn the tie around.
The outcome of this series will be decided in Bilbao, where Athletic will be looking for a comeback and a place in the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
