On Thursday evening, March 13, 2025, AS Roma faced off against Athletic Club at San Mamés Stadium, only to suffer a 3-1 defeat, resulting in their elimination from the Europa League Round of 16.
The match began poorly for the Giallorossi, as Mats Hummels received a straight red card just 11 minutes in for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, which left Roma at a disadvantage for most of the match. Ironically, the red card came from Hummels attempting to play the ball close to the halfway line, close enough to the center circle to raise the eyebrows of many onlookers, including fans and players alike.
Despite the early setback, Roma managed to hold Athletic Club at bay for the remainder of the first half. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar made two stunning saves against Athletic's Sannadi, who also squandered another opportunity to score, opting for a chip shot attempt instead of cleanly burying the ball. Nico Williams almost shifted the momentum when he hit the post minutes before halftime, but the score remained level.
The turning point came just before the halftime break when Nico Williams finally found the back of the net. He capitalized on a cross from the far post, scoring the opening goal for Athletic Club and sending them to the locker room with the lead.
Claudio Ranieri, head coach of AS Roma, expressed the team's frustration, noting how the red card altered the game's dynamics. Although players like Gianluca Mancini voiced their discontent with the referee's decision, Ranieri agreed, stating, "Yes, it was a clear and obvious red card.”
After the half, Ranieri made strategic changes, bringing Eldor Shomurodov on to replace Paulo Dybala. Shomurodov had one of Roma's best chances but was denied by Athletic's goalkeeper Agirrezabala, reflecting the Giallorossi's struggle to regain control of the match.
Athletic Club expanded their lead when Yuri scored their second goal off of a corner kick taken by Berenguer, which Yuri converted with a towering header. The Giallorossi were reeling, struggling to maintain composure on the pitch. Shortly afterward, Nico Williams struck again, showcasing his skill with a solo goal as he skillfully dodged three Roma defenders, sealing Athletic's dominance with the third goal.
Despite the grave situation, Roma did not back down, managing to score their only goal of the night during stoppage time. Leandro Paredes converted a penalty kick after Andoni Gorosabel fouled Stephan El Shaarawy inside the box. Although Paredes sent Athletic's keeper the wrong way, it proved to be too little, too late.
Post-match, Ranieri emphasized his admiration for the team's resilience, congratulating them for their effort, even under challenging circumstances. "I can’t blame the boys for anything. They played a fantastic game in a very difficult situation,” he remarked.
Ranieri, acknowledging the difficult road ahead after being ousted from both the Europa League and the Coppa Italia, indicated the team's focus now lies on their standing within Serie A. He reiterated his commitment to pushing for the best possible results, stating, "Our goal is always to give our best. We are still up there with the top teams, and we will do everything we can to take Roma as high as possible.”
The match was about more than just winning or losing for Ranieri, who maintained his bond with Athletic Club's coach Ernesto Valverde. After the match, he humorously revealed, “I gave him my visiting card with my phone number because I had lost his.”
Challenged by questions surrounding potential future transfers, particularly Spanish players, Ranieri acknowledged the importance of Valverde's insights, highlighting the friendly rivalry and camaraderie between them.
This loss serves as a significant blow to AS Roma, pushing them to reassess their strategies moving forward. With additional competitions off the table, focus shifts solely to Serie A, where consistent performances will be imperative if they are to secure European competition for next season.
Roma's fervent supporters remain hopeful as their team prepares to rebound from this disappointment. It’s clear, from Ranieri's determination and the players' spirit, they aim to regroup and fight back to restore their reputation on the field.
For now, the Giallorossi face the pressing reality of reassessing their aspirations for the remainder of the season, with the quest for success now firmly anchored within the league.