In the final match of the 15th round of Italy’s Serie A, Roma hosted Fiorentina and managed to secure a hard-fought point (1:1), despite being reduced to nine players by the end. Roma, riding a wave of victories at the Olimpico, entered the match as favorites but faced a tough challenge, barely clinging to a draw even after taking an early lead.
Roma’s breakthrough came just five minutes into the game. Paulo Dybala delivered a cross from the right, perfectly met by Romelu Lukaku, who expertly headed the ball into the net. However, Roma’s joy was short-lived as Dybala soon succumbed to an injury, replaced by Azmoun, who also later sustained an injury.
After scoring, Roma adopted a more defensive approach, allowing Fiorentina to take control. This strategy held until the 64th minute when Zalewski was sent off with a second yellow card, putting Roma at a significant disadvantage. Fiorentina quickly capitalized on their numerical superiority; within two minutes, Kouame delivered a cross that Martinez Quatra converted into a goal, leveling the score.
Fiorentina, energized, pushed for a win, creating multiple opportunities. However, Roma’s goalkeeper Rui Patricio made crucial saves. The situation worsened for Roma in the 87th minute when Lukaku was sent off with a straight red card for a harsh foul.
Despite numerous challenges, Roma defended resolutely and managed to stave off a defeat that seemed almost certain at one point. Currently, Roma is in fourth place with 25 points, while Fiorentina is close behind in seventh with 24 points. Both teams are ambitiously eyeing European competitions. While the Champions League may be a stretch due to stiff competition, especially for Fiorentina, participation in less prestigious UEFA competitions remains a realistic goal. Looking ahead, Roma faces a challenging visit to Bologna next weekend, whereas Fiorentina will be hosting Verona.
