Lille Shock Roma with 1–0 Europa League Victory as Berke Özer Saves Three Penalties
The Europa League clash between AS Roma and Lille at the Stadio Olimpico was filled with drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments. Roma, playing in front of their passionate home crowd, came into the match with high expectations, but it was Lille who shocked everyone by delivering a disciplined performance and leaving Italy with all three points.
The match began at a high tempo, with Roma eager to dominate possession and push Lille back into their own half. However, the French side showed no signs of fear. Just six minutes into the game, Lille struck a decisive blow. After a quick exchange of passes, the ball fell to Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, who found space on the edge of the box. With calm precision, he curled a beautiful right-footed shot into the top corner, leaving Roma’s goalkeeper with no chance. The early goal stunned the home supporters and gave Lille the perfect platform to control the game.
Following the opener, Roma tried to respond quickly. Their midfield, led by Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini, worked tirelessly to create openings. They pushed the ball wide to their wingers, hoping to stretch Lille’s backline. Romelu Lukaku (if starting) and Artem Dovbyk were constant threats inside the box, but Lille’s defenders, marshalled superbly by Tiago Djaló and Aïssa Mandi, held firm. The French side showed discipline and composure, defending deep when necessary and springing forward on the counterattack with pace.
Lille’s tactical plan was clear: absorb pressure, remain compact, and look for moments to exploit Roma’s defensive gaps. Their midfield duo combined physicality and smart positioning, cutting passing lanes and frustrating Roma’s build-up play. Every time Roma looked close to breaking through, Lille’s goalkeeper Berke Özer was alert, making crucial saves and commanding his area with authority.
As the game wore on, Roma grew increasingly desperate. They created chances—long-range efforts, crosses into the box, and quick combinations—but their finishing lacked sharpness. The frustration inside the Olimpico grew louder with each missed opportunity.
The turning point, however, came in the final stages of the match. With Roma piling on the pressure, they were awarded a penalty after a handball by Lille defender Aïssa Mandi. The home fans roared in anticipation, sensing a golden chance to level the score. Artem Dovbyk stepped up confidently, but Berke Özer guessed correctly and saved the penalty. The stadium was stunned, but VAR intervened, ruling that Özer had moved off his line. The penalty had to be retaken.
On the second attempt, Dovbyk tried again. This time he changed direction, but remarkably, Özer saved once more. The Roma players could hardly believe it. Then, in an extraordinary twist, the referee ordered yet another retake, citing encroachment. The tension was unbearable as Matías Soulé took responsibility for the third attempt. Soulé struck the ball firmly, but Özer, in heroic fashion, denied Roma for a third time. It was a breathtaking sequence—three penalties in a row, all saved by the Lille goalkeeper.
Those moments defined the match. Roma, despite their pressure and dominance in certain spells, simply could not find a way past Özer. Lille, on the other hand, showed incredible resilience, defending with grit and unity until the final whistle. When the referee blew for full time, Lille’s players erupted in celebration, embracing their goalkeeper, who had undoubtedly become the hero of the night.
For Roma, it was a crushing defeat. They had the chances, they had the pressure, but their lack of composure in front of goal and Lille’s stubborn defending cost them dearly. For Lille, the victory was historic—not just for the three points, but for the manner in which they achieved it. An early goal, disciplined defensive work, and an unforgettable triple penalty save ensured that the French side left Rome with a famous win.
Do you think Lille win won again in there next meet?
