Roma achieved a thrilling comeback victory against Athletic Club, winning 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on March 6, 2025, during the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie. With the pressure mounting and Athletic Club having taken the lead, Roma's team rallied late to secure a much-needed win.
The match, attended by 62,540 fans, kicked off with both teams exchanging early chances. Athletic Club looked to take control from the outset, creating opportunities through players like Iñaki Williams and Unai Gomez, though neither was able to capitalize. Roma’s Niccolo Pisilli managed to get the first shot off for the home side, but his effort was blocked, and Paulo Dybala was left frustrated when his curling attempt hit the woodwork.
Athletic took the lead early in the second half through Iñaki Williams, who scored just five minutes after the break. A corner, poorly dealt with by Roma, was nodded on by Aitor Paredes to Williams, who headed it home from just two yards out. This goal appeared to put the visitors on the front foot, and hopes were high for Athletic Club as they aimed to build on their lead.
But Roma swiftly responded—the equalizer arrived just six minutes later as Zeki Çelik made a superb run down the right, pulling the ball back for Angeliño. With composure, Angeliño fired it past the Athletic goalkeeper, Agirrezabala, to level the score.
With the match approaching its conclusion, things took a turn for the worse for Athletic Club when Yeray Álvarez received his second yellow card, reducing his team to ten men. This pivotal moment opened the door for Roma to press more aggressively for the win.
Just as it seemed the match would end level, Roma's determination paid off. Deep in injury time, Eldor Shomurodov capitalized on some swift build-up play to score Roma’s second goal, turning quickly inside the box and placing the ball low to Agirrezabala's right. Alexis Saelemaekers’ brilliant assist was pivotal as Shomurodov’s shot silenced the Athletic supporters.
The win gives Roma the perfect platform as they head to the second leg, with the team’s enthusiasm buoyed by the late victory. Shomurodov’s dramatic goal demonstrates the team’s resilience and commitment to advancing far this season.
Coaches Claudio Ranieri and his Athletic counterpart Ernesto Valverde will have contrasting emotions to take forward from this match. Ranieri’s team displayed tenacity, especially as they pushed for the winner late on, whereas Valverde’s side will need to regroup, particularly after their late collapse and the impact of the red card.
Roma’s win at home is not just about the scoreline; it’s about the psychological advantage going forward. The players will be seeking to leverage this momentum, and with the second leg to follow, all eyes will be on Athletic Club to see how they respond to the challenge on their home turf.
The clash showcased not only the competitive spirit of the Europa League but also highlighted individual performances—most notable was Zeki Çelik, who was named the match's standout player. With Roma’s strategy now revealed, the upcoming challenge for Athletic Club will be to counteract and exploit their weaknesses as they attempt to turn the tie around.
Looking beyond this face-off, both teams vie for European accolades, and with such fierce competition, the excitement is only set to escalate as the knockout stages continue.
With their heads held high, Roma fans can look forward to next week’s return match at San Sebastian. Athletic Club, on the other hand, must not only hope to leverage their home advantage but also correct the mistakes they made during this first leg. The stage is set for what promises to be another riveting encounter.