Another goal almost at the end of the game, specifically in the 90th minute, and Roma do as in Udine, that is, they solve a complicated situation. In this case, Abraham’s winning header from Karsdorp’s cross gives the Giallorossi a 1-1 draw with Vitesse and drives the witches away from the Olimpico, qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Conference League. It may be a less important Cup than the others but it is still a trophy to be chased, which Mourinho gives the impression that he holds. All this at the end of a game played at a small trot and with few ideas, perhaps because the head of captain Pellegrini (today one of the worst of his) and teammates was already at the Sunday derby with Lazio, but that at a certain point it was in a bad way because shortly after the hour of play the Dutch had found the advantage with a beautiful left-footed volley from Wittek on which Rui Patricio had not been able to, bringing the cold to the Olimpico. Moreover, up to that moment Vitesse had made the game and Roma, in addition to trotting around the field, had appeared devoid of bite, and even of ideas in midfield, despite not having run dangers. Fortunately for Mou in the 90 ‘Abraham, the Conference’s top scorer, resolved the situation and prevented Magica from playing extra time, giving, at least in theory, a further advantage to Lazio (long out of Europe) in view of the derby. .
The first half ended without goals and with very few emotions, with Vitesse, aggressive and ready to restart (but at too low a pace to really affect), who had had the first, and only, opportunity with a 35-meter free-kick that Grbic kicked with effect to try to surprise Rui Patricio, good at deflecting for a corner. Then there were a couple of conclusions, from Smalling and Abraham with the head and from Zaniolo with the right, which had not framed Houwen’s door. Subsequently there had been an attempt by Vina.
The boredom of this match had been interrupted in the second half by the splendid goal of Wittek, who kicked the left-handed wing by beating Rui Patricio. Roma tried to react but were poor in play despite the whirlwind of changes of their coach. The nightmare was chased away only in the 90th minute with Abraham’s goal, the 21st of his first season in the Giallorossi (matched by Batistuta and Montella), who intervened on the assist of Karsdorp in turn served by El Shaarawy with a cross coming from the opposite side. And that was enough for Roma to qualify, but from the point of view of the game we are not yet there and can only satisfy the fact of having hit the qualification.