AS Roma 1 - 1 Feyenoord Rotterdam - Feyenoord take advantage

Posted Friday, February 20, 2015 by PA

Roma had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Feyenoord in Thursday's Europa League last-32 first leg.

Gervinho put the hosts ahead in the 22nd minute before Colin Kazim-Richards pulled the Dutch level in the 55th minute and gave Feyenoord a vital away goal.

Both sides had chances to win the match at the Stadio Olimpico but neither team could find the winner.

The contest was marred by unruly behaviour from visiting fans, who damaged monuments in Rome and clashed with local police prior to the encounter.

Roma went into the game looking to return to winning ways at home after failing to do so in their previous three games.

The Giallorossi, who were eliminated from the Champions League in December, welcomed back Francesco Totti.

The Roma captain had missed last weekend's goalless result at bottom-side Parma with flu.

The visitors had the first chance of the match in the fifth minute when Lex Immers headed Karim El Ahmadi's cross just wide of the far post.

At the other end, Daniele Verde fed Gervinho in the box but his right-footed shot was off target.

Roma went in front shortly after.

Verde found Vasilis Torosidis on the right flank and his pass towards the area was met by Gervinho, who beat his marker Luke Wilkshire and then hit the ball from close range past Feyenoord goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer.

Feyenoord made their first substitution in the 30th minute with Rick Karsdorp replacing injured Wilkshire.

Before half-time, Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski was called on to make a save to clear Kazim-Richards' right footed attempt from 12 yards.

The visitors looked more dangerous after the re-start and equalised before the hour mark.

Roma keeper Skorupski managed to deflect Immers' header from Karsdorp's cross but the ball rebounded off the crossbar and fell into the path of Kazim-Richards and he made no mistake from close range.

Feyenoord pushed forward more aggressively and Roma were forced to pull back.

In the 65th minute, Roma coach Rudi Garcia made a double substitution with Keita and Doumbia replacing Totti and Daniele De Rossi.

Not long after Lens Toornstra warmed the hands of Skorupski with a stinging drive from outside the area that the keeper saved.

Torosidis came closest to scoring Roma's second with four minutes remaining.

The Greek international got past his marker and struck a right-footed shot that forced Vermeer to fully stretch to clear..b

Roma travel to Holland next week for the return leg, knowing they will need to win.