Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord, Quilindschy Hartman of Feyenoord after the UEFA Europa League play-off match between Feyenoord and AS Roma at Feyenoord Stadium de Kuip on February 15, 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. - Credit: Olaf Kraak / ANP - License: All Rights Reserved

Thursday, 15 February 2024 - 21:07

Feyenoord draw the first leg of their Europa League tie against AS Roma at home

The first match between Feyenoord and AS Roma in the interim round of the Europa League did not produce a winner. The meeting in De Kuip ended 1-1. The second match, in Rome, will follow in a week.

Feyenoord were victorious over AS Roma in De Kuip just over a year ago in the Quarter Finals of the Europa League when they beat them 1-0. That was not enough for a place in the last four. Feyenoord lost 4-1 after extra time in Rome.

This time, there was not much reason for optimism in advance for the reigning Eredivisie champions. Top scorer Santiago Giménez has only just recovered from a calf injury and started on the substitute bench. The Japanese Ayase Ueda started as a striker, just like he did on Sunday against Sparta. Defender Lutsharel Geertruida is ill and missing from the squad, just like the injured Justin Bijlow, Quinten Timber, Gernot Trauner, and Thomas van den Belt. Striker Alireza Jahanbakhsh was also not fit in time to participate.

The home team had to leave the initiative to AS Roma in the initial phase. The sixth-place side in the Italian Serie A was given a few opportunities. Captain Dávid Hancko prevented a goal with his head. Timon Wellenreuther once again proved to be an excellent replacement for the injured Justin Bijlow. The German saved from Romelu Lukaku's header.

Feyenoord got into the match better halfway through the first half. The first chance for the Rotterdam team, in the 21st minute, looked like it would result in a goal. Igor Paixão saw his strike go just wide of the wrong side of the post.

A long shot by the Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes hit the crossbar via Wellenreuther's fingertips in the 40th minute. Feyenoord was successful in the injury time of the first half. The unmarked Paixão headed home from a cross from left-back Quilindschy Hartman: 1-0.

Little happened in the first fifteen minutes after the break, although Feyenoord was the most dangerous side. After an hour of play, Slot brought Giménez and Ondrej Lingr into the team for Ueda and Yankuba Minteh. At the same time, AS Roma opted for Stephan El Shaarawy as a substitute.

Lukaku headed in the equalizer halfway through the second half on a pass from Leonardo Spinazzola. The Belgian striker easily defeated Hancko in the air (1-1). A final offensive by Feyenoord, where 17-year-old Givairo Read made his debut as a substitute, yielded nothing.