In a stunning turn of events at the Stadio Olimpico, Lille pulled off a remarkable 1-0 victory over Roma in the Europa League on Thursday night. The match, part of the league phase, saw the French side cling to their lead thanks to an extraordinary performance from goalkeeper Berke Ozer, who saved three consecutive penalties in the dying minutes. It was the kind of drama that leaves fans breathless, and frankly, Roma supporters stunned into silence.
Lille struck first through Jonatan Haraldsson, who capitalized on a swift counter in the first half to give his team the edge. Roma, under pressure to build on their opening win against Braga, dominated possession but struggled to break through Lille's resilient defense. Indeed, the Italians racked up 18 shots on goal, yet none found the net. Ozer's heroics came after a flurry of handball calls in the box—controversial, some might say—but the young keeper, stepping in for the injured Lucas Chevalier, proved unflappable. He dove left, then right, then again, denying Roma's desperate attempts to salvage a point.
This result marks the first time a French club has beaten Roma on their home turf in European competition. Lille, now with two wins from two, sit comfortably in the standings, while Roma drop to fourth after this unexpected slip. Manager Claudio Ranieri's side showed fight, but their finishing left much to be desired—missed chances that could haunt them later. Moreover, the penalty drama has sparked debates about refereeing consistency, with Roma officials hinting at frustration over the calls.
However, credit where it's due: Lille's tenacity and Ozer's brilliance turned what could have been a routine home win into a gritty away triumph. The Dogues controlled the midfield through young talent like Rayan Cherki, frustrating Roma's attacks time and again. For a team that's mixed form in Ligue 1, this boosts confidence heading into tougher fixtures.
As the Europa League grinds on, one wonders how these penalty theatrics might shape the mental battles ahead for both squads.