It was an entertaining game as Roma pulled an impressive comeback to claim an away win against Ajax in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash. A crucial goal from Roger Ibañez went on to be the difference between both sides.
Both sides had opportunities of their own in the first half but a lapse in defence gave way for the opening goal. Davy Klaassen capitalized on a mishit pass from Amadou Diawara before playing a one-two pass with Dušan Tadić before he tapped home from close range.
In-form Tadić should have doubled Ajax’s lead and it could have been a different story.
The Ajax captain was fouled by Roger Ibañez but failed to score the resulting spot-kick as Pau López kept his side at bay by making a crucial save.
Against the run of play, it was Roma who leveled matters just before the hour-mark as Lorenzo Pellegrini sent in a stunning free-kick past goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen in the Ajax goal.
Brazilian centre-half Ibañez then turned the game around after he fired home a volley to earn Roma a late win. It was only his second goal of the season from 31 appearances across all competitions.
Speaking after the game, Ibañez stressed the importance of such a victory. He said: “I need to thank Pau López for saving the penalty [that I had given away]. Then I scored a goal I really wanted to score. We won an important game; now we must look forward."
Given that Roma recorded an away victory, it gives them the upper hand ahead of the return leg next Thursday.
