AS Roma opened their 2025/26 UEFA Europa League (UEL) phase campaign with a narrow 2-1 win over a beleaguered OGC Nice at the Allianz Riviera. The French side are now without a win in 13 games in European football after failing to win a match in this competition last season.
Having lost five of seven competitive matches this season, the hosts hoped to revive their ailing campaign with a strong showing against one of the tournament favourites, and the early signs were positive.
The French side matched and frustrated their Italian opponents in an opening period of few chances and little action, with the first real sight at goal coming midway through the first half, as Manu Kone’s blasted shot from the edge of the area was deflected wide.
With a lack of attacking prowess to defend against, Roma’s biggest struggle was staying out of the referee’s notebook, as they picked up three bookings in the opening 45 minutes.
The only genuine show of quality in the first half led to Nice’s most nervy moment and started with an excellent through ball from Matías Soule.
The Argentinian found Gianluca Mancini’s marauding run into the right side of the area, and the centre-back’s low cross just failed to find Artem Dovbyk, who had the goal at his mercy. Roma kept the danger alive, with Mancini staying forward and nodding home what he thought was the opening goal, only for an offside flag to cancel the Giallorossi’s celebrations.
Having been the hero of the Rome derby at the weekend, Lorenzo Pellegrini was introduced as a half-time substitute and the captain was once again the catalyst for success.
Just seven minutes into the second half, Pellegrini’s fizzing corner was met at the near post by Evan Ndicka, and the Ivorian firmly planted his header beyond Yehvann Diouf in the Nice goal.
Three minutes later another Roma defender was on the scoresheet, albeit in very different fashion. A sweeping move resulted in Kostas Tsimikas curling in a delightful cross into the box, where Mancini was culminating a trademark foray forward, and the defender smashed home an unstoppable volley.
Seemingly defeated, Franck Haise’s men received a lifeline when substitute Niccolo Pisilli inexplicably pushed Antoine Mendy in the box, as the two players duelled for a ball that seemed to be heading out for a goal kick.
Terem Moffi slotted home the resulting penalty to set up a tense finish, but Roma held out to make it another frustrating European night for Les Aiglons.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gianluca Mancini (AS Roma)