Recap: Roma fall to first pre-season defeat despite Dzeko strike

The reigning Serie A top goalscorer indicated that he remains in fine form ahead of the new campaign, as he found the bottom corner with unerring precision in the final moments of the match at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

But his strike was not enough to turn the game around for the Giallorossi, with second half goals from Sergio Escudero and Nolito ultimately securing the victory for the Spanish hosts.

In front of 30,000 fans at the Pizjuan, all of them there to celebrate the memory of former player Antonio Puerta, who sadly died in 2007, the two teams proved to be evenly matched for much of the 90 minutes.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, with the Giallorossi perhaps starting slowly but gradually moving into the ascendancy - with Aleksandar Kolarov forcing two saves in quick succession from Sergio Rico in one notable exchange, as Diego Perotti and Dzeko also looked threatening.

In the second half coach Eusebio Di Francesco opted not to make changes and, eventually, Sevilla's fresher legs (the Rojiblancos are in Champions League play-off action in less than a week) perhaps showed through, with Escudero firing home from a clever through ball to break the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining.

Substitute Nolito then scored in similar fashion to seemingly kill the game off, only for Dzeko to produce a wonderful strike to keep Roma's hopes alive.

The Giallorossi are next in action on Sunday, against Celta Vigo, in their final pre-season appearance before the new Serie A campaign gets underway.

Sevilla 2-1 Roma

Goalscorers: Escudero (74'), Nolito (90'); Dzeko (90')

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