Roma had another disappointment against Ludogorets

Roma, who were humiliated on Sunday in Serie A against Udinese (4-0), suffered another blow in their Europa League debut by losing their visit to Ludogorets (2-1). Despite their low offensive production, two goals from Brazilians Cauly and Gustavo Nonato gave the Bulgarians the win, taking advantage of the defensive fragility of José Mourinho’s side, current Conference League champions.

The Portuguese coach lined up his best eleven and only gave Serbian youngster Mile Svilar a chance instead of starter Rui Patricio, while Andrea Belotti joined Paulo Dybala in attack as Tammy Abraham did not travel to Bulgaria after hitting the left man. and was replaced during the debacle against Udinese (4-0).

As soon as the game started, Roma got a great scare in a one-on-one match from Kiril Despodov that he couldn’t solve against Svilar and his shot at the second post almost missed Bernard Tekpetey.

This was the only clear chance for a well-organized Ludogorets defense that did not suffer in the first half due to the low rhythm Roma showed in their game on a pitch in poor conditions.

Just Dybala

Only Dybala tried to break the monotony, but Roma only created danger before the break with a corner kick at the near post that central defender Gianluca Mancini combed and his cross shot went to the far post ( 35′).

In the second half, Mourinho’s team continued to dominate the match, albeit with a more determined attitude. As soon as play resumed, Dybala put in a great long pass that found Lorenzo Pellegrini, who was alone against goalkeeper Sergio Padt, but his chopped touch went up (47′).

Dybala also had a good chance after receiving on the run and firing a placed shot just wide of the goal (57′).

Roma reacted but found it 1-0

Roma seemed to be in control of the match, waiting to find a moment to beat their rival, but they found it 1-0 with a great move by Ludogorets in one of their rare strategies in the area. Jakub Piotrowski produced a vertical pass from the right which Rick missed, creating space for Cauly, also a Brazilian, who found a corridor to break in with no defense in his way and planted himself before Svilar beat him with low shot. the post (72 ‘).

Cauly made it 2-0 but his shot in the middle of the area, after a cross from Tekpetey’s right, just went over the post (74′).

Exciting final with two goals

Roma had to react and, after Pellegrini headed wide at the far post from a corner taken by Dybala, he equalized in a game where he knew how to build superiority on the right of his attack. Pellegrini crossed from the baseline and newcomer Eidor Shomurodov headed into the net (87′).

Roma saved the tools and still had a few minutes to try to come back, but Ludogorets surprised them again by exploiting the defensive facilities in another Brazilian connection.

This time, Rick found fellow substitute Gustavo Nonato, who controlled the area before overcoming an opponent and scoring with a cross kick (87′). Roma paid for their defensive weakness against a Ludogorets who made the most of their three shots on goal.