Roma vs Lille in the Europa League turned into one of the most bizarre football stories in recent memory, as the Italian giants missed three penalties in a row and slumped to a 1-0 defeat. Gian Piero Gasperini could only watch on in disbelief as his side wasted a golden chance to salvage a point.
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Lille struck first at the Stadio Olimpico when Hakon Arnar Haraldsson fired the visitors ahead in the sixth minute. Roma fought hard to get back into the game and looked set for a late equaliser when they were awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute.
What followed was pure chaos.
- Artem Dovbyk stepped up first, only for Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer to come off his line and deny him.
- Dovbyk retook the spot-kick but was thwarted again by Ozer.
- Finally, Matias Soule was handed the responsibility, yet Ozer pulled off a stunning third save in succession.
The remarkable sequence left Roma stunned and Lille celebrating a priceless away win.
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Gasperini: “Never Happened Before”
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini admitted he had never seen anything like it:
“It had never happened to me before to miss three penalties in the same situation. We went behind early, which gave them the best conditions. Roma, despite some technical errors, played with desire and rhythm until the end. Maybe we weren’t strong in taking advantage of the chances but from these games you come out with something more.”
Despite the loss, Gasperini praised his team’s spirit:
“In the second half we had continuity in attack. They are fast and technical, it wasn’t easy, but we had spirit and intensity. Of course we must make fewer mistakes but I have to look at the good things too. This is a competition where there are eight games, not a direct elimination and the team stayed focused until the end.”
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Roma’s Mixed Start Under Gasperini
This is only Roma’s second defeat of the season under their new manager. Gasperini, who lifted the Europa League with Atalanta, took charge of the Giallorossi in the summer. In Serie A, his side have impressed, winning four of their opening five games.
But on a dramatic European night in Rome, the spotlight fell not on the tactical setup — but on an unforgettable penalty collapse that will go down in Europa League history.