Never before in the Europa League knockout stages had a team recovered a four-goal deficit from the first leg and Brighton’s attempt to earn a place in the history books in their first European campaign fell short despite a valiant effort in the Sussex rain.
Roberto De Zerbi could not contain his disappointment on a frustrating evening in which Danny Welbeck gave the hosts a sliver of a chance with a brilliant goal just before half-time. Brighton’s manager spent most of the match prowling the touchline in the hope of inspiring the mother of all comebacks that never materialised.
De Zerbi shared a hug with good friend Daniele De Rossi at the final whistle as his streetwise Roma side ensured that the damage done by their 4-0 victory last week was never likely to be recovered. “He should be proud of his team,” said De Rossi.
Brighton’s European debut also included visits to Amsterdam, Athens and Marseille and created what their chief executive, Paul Barber, described in his pre-match programme notes as “magical memories” that the club would certainly “wish to repeat”.
Matching last season’s remarkable sixth-placed finish in the Premier League is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility with 10 matches still to play, although De Zerbi acknowledged that his injury-ravaged squad must rediscover their clinical edge if that is to be achieved. The substitute Ansu Fati and Jan Paul van Hecke were guilty of spurning the best chances as Brighton failed to build on Welbeck’s goal after a slow start.
“We saw our team play with pride today – I saw lots of Robertos on the pitch,” said De Zerbi. “What we have achieved in the Europa League has been unbelievable for the club. I believe in my players and I know we can fight to reach another historic target next season.”
The Amex may not have the intimidating atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico but the home supporters ensured De Rossi’s much-changed side were given a hostile reception. The former Italy midfielder talked his way into a booking after protesting when Sardar Azmoun’s acrobatic effort was ruled out by the referee Felix Zwayer for a high boot on Van Hecke in what looked like a lucky escape for Brighton.
Pascal Gross then almost carved open Roma’s defence with a clever run, only for the German to drag his effort wide before Billy Gilmour volleyed over from just inside the area.
But the crowd’s irritation began to grow as Roma attempted to run down the clock at every opportunity, before Welbeck finally brought the game alive with a stunning goal out of nothing. The otherwise outstanding Mile Svilar was powerless to stop his curling shot from outside the box after being set up by Pervis Estupiñán.
Suddenly things were heating up as De Zerbi was also shown a yellow card after a cynical foul from Lorenzo Pellegrini sparked a mass brawl on the pitch and some angry words between the benches.
Gianluca Mancini went down theatrically claiming contact from Lewis Dunk but the referee was having none of it.
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Fati had an instant impact after being introduced early in the second half, with Welbeck just failing to get the slightest of touches on his cross that would have surely resulted in a second goal.
A surging run from Leonardo Spinazzola that ended with his shot cannoning back off the post would have meant curtains for Brighton. But De Zerbi could not believe his luck when Svilar somehow reacted to stop Simon Adingra’s header from point-blank range before Van Hecke headed over from a corner and then again from Welbeck’s cross.
Brighton piled bodies forward and were almost rewarded when Igor Julio’s shot was parried into Fati’s path but he could not make the adjustment quickly enough and any chance of mounting a late revival was washed away.
