In the first leg of this UEFA Europa League quarter-final, Arne Slot’s Feyenoord continued their eye-catching campaign with a 1-0 win over Roma at De Kuip, extending their impressive record against the Serie A giants to just one loss in nine encounters.De Kuip was as vocal as ever, but this didn’t reflect events on the pitch, with neither side able to get an edge during a largely-sleepy first half. But the game finally burst into life just before halftime, when referee José María Sánchez Martínez awarded Roma a dubious penalty. Feyenoord man Mats Wieffer was adjudged to have handled inside the box, just moments after Martínez had waved away a similar protest, though the visitors were unable to capitalise on the fortunate decision, with Lorenzo Pellegrini striking the left-hand post from 12 yards out.##EDITORS_CHOICE##While some would’ve believed justice was served with the penalty miss, Wieffer would be granted redemption early in the second period, when the 23-year-old netted the opener in stylish fashion from 22 yards out. Hitting a first-time shot on the volley, the midfielder’s strike cannoned off the turf, before bouncing over the outstretched arm of Rui Patrício in the Roma goal to give Feyenoord a precious lead, while also securing a maiden goal in any UEFA tie.With his strike, the home side extended their imperious goalscoring run to 28 consecutive matches across all competitions, but at the opposite end of the pitch Feyenoord’s goal continued to live a charmed life. Rising highest from a Roma corner, Roger Ibañez appeared to have headed home a leveller for José Mourinho’s men, only for Lutsharel Geertruida to pop up with a goal-saving clearance on the line to divert the ball away from danger.
Unlike their opponents, Roma have struggled to find the net in recent weeks, failing to score in both of their previous two European away games. A resilient Feyenoord backline ensured that run would stretch to three matches, with Roma’s best chance of the dying stages coming from a speculative Georginio Wijnaldum effort from 25 yards out. It leaves the Giallorossi’s eight-game unbeaten run against Dutch opposition in tatters, while their hopes of back-to-back European titles also remains in doubt.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUEQuarter-final, first legThursdayFeyenoord – Roma 1-0 (1-0)/Wieffer 54/22:00: (1.42) Man.Utd. (4.80) Sevilla (9.00)22:00: (1.85) Juventus (3.60) Sporting (4.90)22:00: (1.63) Leverkusen (4.00) St.Gilloise (6.25)***odds are subject to change***