UEFA has instructed Roma to close a significant portion of one end of the Stadio Olimpico for their upcoming Europa League playoff game against Porto on February 20. This decision comes with a €30,000 fine due to fan disturbances during their last match.
Roma advanced to the playoffs after defeating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 at home, while Frankfurt, despite the loss, clinched a spot in the top eight. The trouble occurred at halftime with fireworks and fan clashes, but the situation was managed by stewards and police, ensuring the game resumed on time.
For the upcoming match, two sections of Roma’s north stand will remain closed. The winner of this playoff will move on to the round of 16.
Frankfurt also faced penalties; they were fined €20,000 for fans lighting and throwing fireworks, another €5,000 for stadium damage, and were conditionally banned from selling away tickets for one game over the next two years.
In another incident, Twente was fined €35,000 by UEFA and must close one end of their stadium for their first-leg match against Bodo/Glimt on February 13 in the Europa League playoffs.
Ranieri reveals what he told Conceicao after Roma defeat to ‘great Milan’
Claudio Ranieri shared his thoughts with Milan’s coach Sergio Conceicao following Roma’s 3-1 defeat in the Coppa Italia quarter-final, urging caution against the rapidly rising expectations. He reminded everyone, “Let us not forget where this side was when I arrived.”
Roma faced a familiar foe, as Tammy Abraham, currently on loan from Roma to Milan, scored a brace in the first half against his former team.
The match saw significant contributions from substitutes. Artem Dovbyk made an instant impact by scoring from close range after coming on, while Joao Felix, making his debut for Milan following his transfer from Chelsea, added to the score with an impressive lobbed goal.
“First of all, we must congratulate Milan for their remarkable quality, especially the way their forwards are constantly moving around,” Ranieri told Sport Mediaset.
“That means we do not have regrets, we are simply aware that we lost to a great team. We tried everything, we pinned them back towards the end of the first half, we hit the crossbar and that was the moment when we should’ve equalised, but instead we conceded a goal very similar to the one we let in against Milan last time.
“It can happen when you are pushing so hard that something goes wrong at the back. We had told ourselves not to concede a counter-attack this time, but it’s easier said than done when facing that level of quality.”
Tijjani Reijnders inadvertently headed a cross from Devyne Rensch into his own goal, which could have made the score 3-2, but the goal was ruled out due to Artem Dovbyk being offside in the lead-up to the play.
“If there are regrets, they would be on the 10cm offside, as perhaps that might’ve set up a tense finale and given Milan some nightmares about the late equaliser in the derby. However, when you give your all and fight to the end, you must accept everything,” added Ranieri.
“I absolutely agree with this analysis and got very angry with them. I would love to always have a quick vertical pass, but it’s also not easy for these lads to have three coaches in a single season, each with their own ideas and the players trying to follow those ideas,” acknowledged Ranieri.
“It’s true that today we didn’t manage to pass it as well as usual, we didn’t find Dybala before he was man-marked and we made some mistakes, which helped Milan to put in a great performance.”
“I love it when people tell us we have to win the Coppa Italia, we have to win the Europa League, we have to climb the table,” laughed Ranieri. “Let us not forget where this side was when I arrived.
“Now I am curious to see how the team reacts. We are travelling to a difficult side like Venezia, they tend to lose only by a one-goal margin, so I want to see what spirit and attitude my players have next.
“We want to be aware that we are doing our best. Before Sunday we had the fourth best results since I took over, now we have the fifth, but it means the team is doing its job.”
“Yes, I congratulated him, because his team plays well. I am honest, I say what I feel and have no problem honouring my opponents.”
