Dovbyk and AS Roma Unable to Halt Athletic on Path to Europa League Home Final

Athletic Club of Bilbao claimed a resounding 3–1 home victory in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie against AS Roma, earning a berth in the quarter-finals.

The turning point came in the 11th minute, when veteran defender Mats Hummels misplaced a pass in midfield and, while attempting to recover, brought down Sannadi with a sliding tackle. The referee showed the German center-back a straight red card, leaving the visiting Romans a man down for the remainder of the match.

Despite enjoying a numerical advantage and dominating possession, the hosts had to wait until first-half stoppage time to break the deadlock—though they had already threatened Mile Svilar’s goal several times. The opener arrived courtesy of Nico Williams, hero of Euro 2024, who latched on to a cross from the left flank at the far side of the six-yard box and hammered his shot in off the crossbar.

That goal foreshadowed heavier defensive work for AS Roma in the second half. Still, head coach Claudio Ranieri opted not to reinforce his back line. Although Artem Dovbyk left the field on 53 minutes, substitute Eldor Shomurodov soon joined the attack. Having scored the winner for Roma in the previous week’s match, he raised hopes for another crucial display. However, his error during a corner routine proved costly: failing to contain Yuri Berchiche, he allowed the defender’s header to double the lead at 2–0.

The final blow came on 82 minutes. Berchiche found Nico Williams inside the box, and the young forward weaved past multiple defenders before firing home Athletic’s third. In stoppage time, Leandro Paredes converted a penalty to pull one back for AS Roma, but there was no time to spark a comeback.

With the 3–1 aggregate triumph, Athletic Club advance to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Fenerbahce vs. Rangers.

2024-25, Europa League

Athletic Bilbao - AS Roma 3:1 (1:0)
Goals: Nico Williams, 45+3 (1:0); Yuri Berchiche, 68 (2:0); Nico Williams, 82 (3:0); Paredes L., 90+3 (penalty) (3:1)

Athletic Bilbao: Agirrezabala; Paredes (Lekue I., 69); Núñez U.; Yuri Berchiche; Ruiz I. (Prados, 88); de Marcos; Etxebarria U. (Alex Berenguer, 46); Alboniga; Inaki Williams (Gorosabel, 88); Nico Williams; Sannadi (Guruzeta, 77)
Bench: Simón U.; Boiro; Vesga; Urtasun; Capelo; Djalo Alvaro
Yellow Cards: Inaki Williams 71; Gorosabel 91; de Marcos 92

AS Roma: Svilar; Rensch (El Shaarawy, 84); Angelino; Ndicka; Hummels (till 11); Mancini G.; Cristante (Saelemaekers, 84); Paredes L.; Baldanzi (Pisilli, 61); Dovbyk (Soule M., 53); Dybala (Shomurodov, 61)
Bench: Gollini; Abdulhamid; Traore A-r; Pellegrini Lo.; Kone Ko.; Nelsson V.
Yellow Cards: Svilar 12; Rensch 61; Paredes L. 71
Red cards: Hummels 11'