Roma’s tumultuous start to the season plunged into deeper crisis as they succumbed to a devastating 2-1 defeat against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. The loss marks the Giallorossi’s second consecutive defeat in the competition and their third across the last four competitive fixtures. The much-needed boost that talisman Paulo Dybala’s landmark goal should have provided was overshadowed by a shambolic defensive collapse that characterized their dreadful start.
Disaster Strikes In Catastrophic Opening Spell
Roma entered the match under pressure, having tasted defeat in two of their previous three outings against Lille and Inter, respectively. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini was forced to contend with several absences, notably an ill Angelino, but handed Jan Ziolkowski his first senior start for the club. Meanwhile, the visitors, Viktoria Plzen, arrived unbeaten in the tournament and undaunted by the stature of their opponent.
The warning signs for Roma were immediate. While Artem Dovbyk managed to test the Plzen goalkeeper within the opening minute, the defensive frailty of the Giallorossi was ruthlessly exposed. Following a failed offensive effort from Matias Soulé, Plzen struck first. Prince Adu burst down the left flank, navigating a tight angle to fire the ball past a sprawling Mile Svilar and put the Czech side ahead.
Just minutes later, the disaster was compounded. The score quickly became 2-0 after Cheick Souaré advanced unchallenged from outside the box and unleashed a powerful and precise strike that nestled into the far corner of the net. Roma's defense looked disorganized and lethargic, completely overwhelmed by Plzen’s clinical counter-attacking.
Gasperini’s Bold Tactical Shift
Staring down the barrel of an early humiliation and a season-defining defeat, Coach Gasperini took swift and decisive action. In a dramatic show of tactical urgency, he made the bold decision to hook Ziolkowski just 30 minutes into his debut, sending on veteran forward Stephan El Shaarawy. The substitution signaled a complete tactical overhaul, shifting the team's balance and injecting much-needed experience into the attack.
The change provided an immediate spark. El Shaarawy instantly became Roma's most dangerous outlet, forcing a save from the Plzen keeper and later volleying another effort which was also thwarted. Roma began to dominate possession, though their finishing remained frantic.
Dybala’s Landmark Goal Offers Brief Hope
The turning point of the half arrived from a set piece. Following a goalmouth scramble, Niccolò Pisilli's powerful header struck Vaclav Jemelka's arm inside the penalty area. A mandatory VAR review confirmed the handball, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Paulo Dybala stepped up to take the crucial penalty, the pressure immense given the chaotic penalty misses against Lille in the previous European tie. Dybala, however, was composure personified, calmly rolling the ball into the bottom corner past Martin Jedlicka. The goal was not only a vital lifeline, making the score 2-1, but also marked a significant personal achievement for Dybala—his 200th career goal for club and country.
The Search For An Equaliser Falls Short
With renewed vigor but rapidly dwindling time, Roma launched a frenetic search for the equalizer. They created several genuine chances, but the sharpness that defined Dybala’s penalty was missing elsewhere. Pisilli, clearly unsettled, struck the post after losing his balance, while El Shaarawy watched his curling effort whistle just past the far upright. Soulé also fired a strong shot from the edge of the box, but it was deflected wide.
In the late stages, even the visitors came close to extending their lead, with Leon Bailey cutting in from the right and unleashing a superb left-footed effort that missed the far post by mere inches. During the tense injury time, Evan N’Dicka headed straight at the keeper from a Dybala corner, and Pisilli had a goal disallowed for a clear offside from a free-kick.
Ultimately, Roma’s efforts were too little, too late. The 2-1 loss means the Giallorossi must urgently address their collective lack of concentration and defensive stability if they are to salvage their European campaign and prevent their domestic season from spiraling into a full-blown crisis.