Super-sub Pellegrini levels UEL tie for Roma
Lorenzo Pellegrini came off the bench to earn Roma a 1-1 draw with Bologna to ensure the all-Italian Europa League last-16 tie is finely poised.
Federico Bernardeschi put Bologna ahead early in the second half, but Gian Piero Gasperini's side fought back to level at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
Bryan Zaragoza fizzed a low shot across goal and wide of the left post after a pacy counter-attack, but Bologna finished the first half on top.
Bernardeschi saw a low cross parried away by Mile Svilar at the near post before cutting inside shortly after to test the goalkeeper, who was at full stretch to keep out the forward's curler.
Bernardeschi broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. He was unmarked on the right of the box and bent his effort into the far side of the goal.
Donyell Malen then struck the woodwork before Tommaso Pobega spurned a glorious chance to double Bologna's lead, as he took too long over a one-on-one with Svilar.
Roma made Pobega pay for his profligacy, with Pellegrini in the right place to guide his finish into a vacant net under no pressure.
Malen saw a chance cleared off the line as Roma chased a comeback victory, but at the other end, it was saved by the crossbar, with Martin Vitik's header just too high.
Elsewhere, Panathinaikos hold a 1-0 lead over Real Betis thanks to a late Vicente Taborda penalty as both sides finished with 10 men.
Porto also has a first-leg lead, with Terem Moffi and Rodrigo Mora's quickfire first-half goals giving it a 2-1 advantage against Stuttgart.
































