Lukaku Saves Roma from Defeat

Rotterdam, Beritasatu.com – Romelu Lukaku showed his strength to equalize, as AS Roma held hosts Feyenoord to a 1-1 draw in the first leg playoffs Europa League, Friday (16/2/2024) early morning WIB.

Igor Paixao's header just before half-time gave the Dutch club the lead for the hosts. But Lukaku, who continued Leonardo Spinazzola's cross, equalized in the 67th minute.

Also Read: AS Roma vs Inter Milan Result 2-4, Nerazzurri Break De Rossi's Perfect Record. This draw will increase competition in the second leg next week in Rome, and the Italian club has a slightly better chance because they are competing at home.

It is the third time in as many seasons that Feyenoord have faced Roma, who beat them 1-0 in the first Europa Conference League final in Tirana in 2022, and 4-2 on aggregate in last year's Europa League quarter-finals.

In other matches, Galatasaray won 3-2 over Sparta Prague in Istanbul, thanks to a decisive goal from Mauro Icardi in the final minutes.

Turkey's elite club took an early lead when Kerem Demirbay drilled home a low kick in the 19th minute, but Sparta equalized two minutes into the second half when Angelo Precaido capitalized on a poor clearance to score.

Dries Mertens benefited from a slip by Sparta captain Ladislav Krejci to restore Galatasaray's lead in the 61st minute just before their defender Victor Nelsson was sent off.

Sparta took advantage of their numerical advantage on the pitch and equalized within four minutes when Jan Kuchta headed in Precaido's cross.

Icardi secured a dramatic win for the hosts and a narrow lead for next week's second leg in the Czech Republic capital.