Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi took an early lead at the Doosan Arena thanks to Diego Perotti – converting his fourth penalty of the season, no less – but were pegged back soon after by Marek Bakos' far-post header.

From then on, despite dictating play for much of the second half, the visitors were unable to find a winning goal.

The night started almost perfectly for Luciano Spalletti’s side, as Stephan El Shaarawy was awarded a penalty after barely three minutes after he was tripped inside the box. Perotti assumed the responsibility, as he had done successfully three times already this season, and duly made that total four – burying his shot in the bottom corner to give his side the lead.

Just seven minutes later, however, the hosts were back on terms. Bakos was the man with the equaliser, as the wide-man rose at the far post to nod a deep cross beyond Alisson’s reach.

From that point both sides continued to make chances, although it was Roma who held the edge in terms of ball possession and creating real openings. Radja Nainggolan hit the post shortly before the half-time, as Juan Manuel Iturbe also wasted a good opening.

The second half introduction of Edin Dzeko again increased Roma’s threat, but Plzen defended diligently and, although both Perotti and substitute Alessandro Florenzi found dangerous positions out on the flank on more than one occasion, the hosts were ultimately able to hold on for a point.

Elsewhere in Group E, ten-man Austria Wien beat Astra Giurgiu 3-2 in Romania to take the early lead in the group standings.

Team selection

Luciano Spalletti promised before the match that he would use the full extent of his squad throughout the season, saying he had more than 11 players worthy of staring any particular game. And he showed a glimpse of that in his team selection at the Doosan Arena.

Gerson and Federico Fazio both made their first starts for the Giallorossi, while Juan Manuel Iturbe also began the game for the first time this season.

Elsewhere Bruno Peres slotted at right-back with Juan Jesus on the left - while the lack of Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi and Kevin Strootman in the starting lineup meant Radja Nainggolan captained the side for the second time ever, and the first since November 2015.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

3’ – Penalty! El Shaarawy gets a touch on the ball first in the box and is then brought down. The referee does not hesitate to point to the spot!

4’ – GOAL! Roma lead! Diego Perotti takes the responsibility again, and converts his fourth penalty of the season so far! 0-1 Roma!

9’ – Attempt saved. Kace shoots from a central position 20 yards out, but Alisson saves well.

11’ – Goal. Plzen equalise. Bakos is the man with the finish, heading in at the far post after rising to meet the cross. 1-1.

23’ – Another good save from Alisson! Duris meets the dangerous free-kick and it is arrowing towards the corner, but the keeper makes a good reaction stop.

32’ – Off the post! El Shaarawy gets into the box and feeds Nainggolan, but the captain’s first-time shot cannons away off the post!

32’ – How did that stay out! El Shaarawy cuts in from the left and fires a ball across goal, and somehow it deflects over the bar off two Plzen defenders.

36’ – Iturbe gets clear of the defenders but fluffs his first-time shot.

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See more images in our match gallery.

SECOND HALF

45’ – Substitution for Roma: Dzeko replaces Gerson.

49’ – Dzeko can’t quite reach the ball at the far post after a corner.

54’ – Dzeko tries to round the keeper but Bolek gets a vital touch. El Shaarawy’s follow-up is blocked.

57’ – Paredes lets fly from 25 yards – but he shoots narrowly over.

64’ – Peres shoots straight at Bolek.

72’ – Double substitution for Roma: Florenzi and Totti replace Iturbe and El Shaarawy.

81’ – Chance for Plzen – Bakos cannot connect with a cross and Krmencik at the far post blasts horribly high and wide.

84’ – Totti flicks over after a good passing move sees Nainggolan deliver the ball to him inside the box.

90’ – Alisson tips over Petrzela’s speculative late effort.

Key match statistics

See more match statistics in our match centre.

Social reaction

Roma reaction

"We should never have conceded that goal but that's the way of things, if you can't dictate proceedings, the opposition give everything, haul themselves - body and soul - over every hurdle and it becomes tough.

- Luciano Spalletti

"It's the fourth or fifth time we've scored first and they've equalised. We have to make progress on that."

- Diego Perotti

What's next?

The Giallorossi must now turn their attentions back to Serie A demands, as they face Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20:45 CEST on Sunday 18 September.

Their next Europa League encounter is not until Thursday 29 September, when they host Romanian champions Astra Giurgiu at the Stadio Olimpico.

They have a further two Serie A games before that - against Crotone (h) and Torino (a).

VIKTORIA PLZEN 1-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Bakos (23'); Perotti (4' p.)

Attendance: 10,326

Viktoria Plzen: Bolek; Hejda, Hubnik, Limbersky; Bakos (Poznar), Horava, Kace, Kopic; Zeman (Petrzela), Duris (Krmencik).

Roma: Alisson; Peres, Manolas, Fazio, Jesus; Paredes, Nainggolan, Gerson (Dzeko); Iturbe (Florenzi), Perotti, El Shaarawy (Totti).