During Roma’s 1-0 victory over Vitesse Arnhem, Sérgio Oliveira was at the centre of all the action. The Portuguese midfielder scored the game’s only goal but later in the match picked up his second career red card.Tonight’s hosts Vitesse are famous for their strong start of every match – they scored within five minutes three times during this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League and it was no surprise to see them open up the match with intensity again.However, it was a moment of sheer skill in added time that gave the visitors an undeserved lead just before the half-time whistle. After taming the ball with his first touch, Oliveira sent a rocket into the top corner. During what was a tepid 45 minutes for José Mourinho’s side. it was only Roma’s second shot on target of the half.Throughout the first period, Vitesse were on the front foot and passed up a number of chances to take the lead themselves. Earlier in the half, Adrian Grbić had slotted the ball home but the assistant referee’s flag put an end to his celebrations. Throughout the early stages, man of the match Loïs Openda tormented the Giallorossi backline yet his best chance of the half was ballooned over from five yards out. The home side were better of the two teams and the frustration grew.The three-time Italian champions emerged from the break in the ascendancy, buoyed by Mourinho’s half-time speech. Roma began pushing towards the Vitesse goal which was a stark contrast from their first-half performance – the Italians should’ve found a second midway through the half. Gianluca Mancini was unable to direct his free header goalwards on his own in acres of space – instead, he sent it past the far post.Roma handed their opponents a route back into the game, almost on cruise control, but it came as a shocker when Oliveira was sent off for a cheap second yellow card.Vitesse were back on the front foot and got to enjoy a few sightings of goal, without finding an equaliser. Grbić’s tried again but his tame header was comfortably saved by Rui Patrício, who was relieved to have left the Netherlands with a clean sheet.Roma are in the driving seat to progress to the quarter-finals as they go into the second leg next week with a gift of an advantage.EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUERound of 16 – first legThursdayPAOK – Gent 1-0 (0-0)/Kurtic 58/Vitesse – Roma 0-1 (0-1)/Oliveira 45+1/Slavia Praha – LASK 4-1 (2-0)/Sor 3, 29, Olayinka 83, Traore 85 – Balic 67/Partizan – Feyenoord 2-5 (1-1)/Natcho 13, Jovic 46 – Toornstra 20, 77, Dessers 52, Geertruida 64, Sinisterra 71/23.00: (1.53) Olympique Marseille (4.40) Basel (6.75)23.00: (2.30) Leicester (3.40) Rennes (3.35)23.00: (1.55) PSV (4.30) Copenhagen (7.00)23.00: (3.20) Bodo (3.35) AZ Alkmaar (2.40)***odds are subject to change
