Mueez Ajao
– Paulo Dybala came off the bench and broke the defences of 10-man HJK Helsinki, who capitulated 3-0 including Lorenzo Pellegrini and Andrea Belotti’s first goal for Roma.
– The Giallorossi were looking to get off the mark after a 2-1 defeat to Ludogorets, boosted by the return of Nicolò Zaniolo after almost a month out with a dislocated shoulder. HJK lost their opener 2-0 at home to Real Betis in this group.
– Helsinki captain Miro Tenho was sent off after just 14 minutes, as first he was booked for the bodycheck on Andrea Belotti, then it was changed to a red following the VAR on-field review. Last man is no longer the criteria, but Il Gallo was going clear on goal through the centre, so it was considered a clear scoring opportunity.
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– Belotti pulled back from the by-line for Zaniolo to flick it across the face of goal, but the 10 men of HJK almost took the lead when Arttu Hoskonen was allowed a free header that thumped the upright.
– Lorenzo Pellegrini turned wide after the initial Zaniolo attempt was charged down, then Zaniolo fired straight at the goalkeeper on a smart Belotti through ball.
– There was a double chance before the break, as first Bryan Cristante’s scorcher was beaten away, then the resulting corner was flicked on for Belotti to nod wide at the back post.
– Dybala and Chris Smalling came on at half-time and La Joya made an immediate impact, scoring with his first touch. Spinazzola found Pellegrini for a quick lay-off and Dybala swept in with his left foot first-time from the edge of the area.
– Moments later, Zaniolo ran onto a long Nemanja Matic pass, his attempted roll across from the left took a big deflection off Soiri and Pellegrini was alert to bundle it over the line with his chest.
– Zaniolo should’ve been on the scoresheet, but prodded wide when sent clear by an inspired Dybala slide-rule pass.
– Matic stung the goalkeeper’s gloves and Belotti made it 3-0 with a tap-in from six yards on the Zaniolo pull-back from the by-line, his first goal for Roma.
