Brighton were beaten 4-0 by Roma in the Europa League on Thursday evening, leaving themselves a mammoth task in the second leg. Bryan Cristante scored the last of the goals, heading in from a Stephan El Sharaawy pull back. Report by Joe Zelinger
A first ever European knockout game for the club, excitement and nerves were with Brighton fans and players alike. However, they were given a baptism of fire in Rome, as Lukaku went close after just three minutes. The Belgian striker’s header met Leonardo Spinazzola’s cross, which was well saved by Steele.
A few minutes later, Brighton had a chance of their own. Simon Adingra, one of the leading creative players in the team with Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro both being out injured, saw his effort deflected onto the post. After cutting in and out inside the box, Adingra’s shot hit Evan Ndicka and left Mile Svilar flat-footed as he watched it crash against the woodwork.
For five minutes or so, the game slowed down after the erratic start. However, Brighton were caught napping for Roma’s opener. A clever ball through the heart of the Brighton defence from Leandro Paredes let Paulo Dybala through on goal. He took the ball past Steele and finished into an empty net, only for the linesman to put his flag up.
However, after a VAR check, the goal was adjudged to be onside. Dybala had timed his run to perfection, and Roma had a dream start.
Lukaku was a big threat in the box all day long, and on 30 minutes had a header go over the bar after getting on the end of another Spinazzola delivery. But two minutes from half-time, Lukaku had his goal, and Brighton’s task was made even more difficult.
Paredes, who assisted the first goal, played a long hopeful ball forward. It seemed as though Dunk would be able to deal with it, but he took a poor touch back towards his own goal, which Lukaku then pounced on. The former Chelsea striker dribbled into the area before slotting the ball into the net, giving Steele no chance.
The Seagulls could have got back into it on the stroke of half-time when Danny Welbeck saw his header well saved by Svilar. After being picked out in the box by Adingra, the English striker couldn’t do much more with his header, but the goalkeeper was equal to it.
On 57 minutes, Welbeck had another opportunity. It was Adingra who was central in the move again, sliding in Welbeck who could only direct his near post shot over the bar.
These were chances Brighton needed to take, seeing as Roma were showing signs of scoring a third. A few minutes earlier in the half, Steele provided a great save as he scrambled across his line to stop Lukaku’s header from creeping in.
On 64 minutes, these warning signs became reality, and the game was all but over. The ball came out to Stephan El Shaarawy, who whipped in a deep cross to Gianluca Mancini. The Italian defender was reaching for it, but managed to guide the ball past Steele on the volley. There was an initial VAR check for offside, but the goal was given, sending the home fans wild.
Just five minutes later, possibly the whole tie was decided, let alone the game, as Bryan Cristante made it 4-0. It was El Sharaawy the provider again, this time being found free on the left-hand side of the box and pulling it back for Cristante who headed in to an almost empty net.
On what was turning out to be a disappointing evening for Brighton, many of the goals came from their own mistakes. Roberto de Zerbi’s side were extremely open at the back, and lacked the tactical nous in Europe that their opponents had.
Brighton continued to search for a way back into the game, with Lewis Dunk sending an effort over on 81 mins. If the tie was to be kept alive, it felt as though Brighton needed a goal in Rome. However, it wasn’t to come on what was a disappointing return to Italy for de Zerbi.
The new year is proving to be tough for the Seagulls so far, with their fair share of injuries contributing to this. This was Albion’s third defeat in a row, all without scoring.
Brighton are back in league action on the weekend against Nottingham Forest at the AMEX, before the return leg of this tie next Thursday.
