Porto 1-1 Roma: Giallorossi grab away goal in hard-fought draw

Roma grabbed a valuable away goal in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Porto on Wednesday night, after playing with 10 men for 50 minutes at the Estadio do Dragao.

Felipe's own goal midway through the first half means Luciano Spalletti's side will reach the group stages of the Champions League with a win or goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico next week - although they will be without Thomas Vermaelen after the defender was dismissed in the 41st minute for his second bookable offence.

Roma's frustration was then compounded in the second half, as Porto striker Andre Silva equalised from the penalty spot after Emerson Palmieri was adjudged to have handled inside the box.

"Playing nearly 60 minutes with ten cost us so much energy. We struggled, we suffered more in the second half but that’s normal."You can’t be 100% in the first game but we ran a lot. We got a result and now it is up to us to see it through at home."

- Radja Nainggolan

Felipe's inadvertent own goal from Mohamed Salah's cross gave Roma the away goal they craved after just 21 minutes, and they continued to push forward as Iker Casillas survived a number of hairy moments to avoid conceding a second goal.

But the dynamic for the Giallorossi changed shortly before half-time, as Thomas Vermaelen was dismissed for a second yellow card. Spalletti's 10 men then escaped early in the second half after Andre Silva's strike was belatedly - but correctly - ruled out for offside.

Nevertheless, on the hour-mark the hosts were on level terms, as Silva fired home from 12 yards after substitute Emerson was penalised.

The home side continued to push forward and had a number of chances on goal, but Luciano Spalletti's side avoided conceding again to salvage a draw.

Key match statistics

Team selection

Coach Spalletti gave competitive debuts to three players - summer arrivals Alisson, Thomas Vermaelen and Juan Jesus.

Alisson, having played the entirety of pre-season, was named ahead of Wojciech Szczesny in goal, with Jesus filling in at left-back as Vermaelen partnered Kostas Manolas in central defence.

Elsewhere Daniele De Rossi was named as the anchor in midfield - while Edin Dzeko was rewarded for his strong pre-season with the starting role upfront, as Diego Perotti moved to the left flank.

Key moments

First half

2' – Salah's first-time lob over Casillas is cleared away by the defender. De Rossi provided the through ball.

8' – Andre Silva volleys speculative effort way wide in Porto's first opening.

14' – Casillas fumbles tame shot at the feet of Dzeko, who rounds him and pokes a shot at goal - but Alex Telles was on the line to make the goalline block!

17' – Juan Jesus volleys straight at Casillas from inside the box.

21 - GOAL! Roma take a short corner which Salah delivers into the box, and Felipe nods the ball past his goalkeeper and inside the far post! 0-1!

27' - Casillas makes a remarkable triple save - two from Salah inside the box, before throwing himself at Nainggolan's powerful drive.

41' - RED CARD! After being booked earlier, Vermaelen picks up his second booking after attempting an acrobatic clearance but catching Andre Silva. Perotti is sacrified for Emerson.

Second half

49' - GOAL DISALLOWED! Andre Silva drives home from close range but, after much discussion with his officials, the referee rules out the goal as the forward was in an offside position.

61' - GOAL. Andre Silva converts from the penalty spot after substitute Emerson Palmieri is judged to have handballed. High to Alisson's right. 1-1.

67' - Felipe heads narrowly wide at the near post from a corner.

77' - Spalletti withdraws Salah and reinforces his defence with Federico Fazio.

81' - Otavio gets in behind and glances a header at goal but Alisson saves.

85' - Final Roma change - Paredes replaces Florenzi, as Spalletti drops his side into a 3-5-1 formation.

88' - Dangerous Porto ball flies across the goalmouth, but no-one gets a touch on it.

90' - A free-kick gives Roma a final chance, but Casillas saves comfortably from Paredes.

What's next?

The return leg takes place at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 23 August, although before that Roma kick-off their Serie A campaign at home to Udinese.

New signing Bruno Peres will be available for both games, although it remains to be seen if the coach will throw him straight into the fray.

The boss has already promised a certain amount of rotation to cope with the demands of such a busy start to the season, but will want his squad to be as prepared and fresh as possible to try and make the most of their away goal in front of their home fans in six days' time.

Porto 1-1 Roma

Goals: Andre Silva (61'); Felipe o.g. (31')

Red card: Vermaelen (41')

Roma: Alisson; Florenzi (Paredes), Vermaelen, Manolas, Jesus; De Rossi, Strootman, Nainggolan, Salah (Fazio), Dzeko, Perotti (Emerson).

Porto: Casillas, M. Pereira, Felipe, Marcano, Telles, Herrera, Danilo, Adrian Lopez (Corona), Otavio (Evandro), Andre Andre (Layun), Andre Silva.

Attendance: 46,310