Europa League Player Ratings: Roma 2-1 Fulham

By Steven Saunders

ROMA

Doni – 5.5 - Had little to do in the first period other than pick the ball out of his net from Kamara’s penalty. Injured his leg clearing at end of first half, and was substituted at half-time.

Cassetti – 6 - Provided cover when Andreolli was caught out of position, which was frequently.

Mexes – 7 - Made his presence felt as an attacking force with a header just wide and the shot that struck Pantsil on the arm.

Andreolli – 4.5 - A rough night for the Italian central defender. Outwitted by Kamara’s deft footwork to concede the penalty and was also almost caught napping by Dempsey.

Riise – 6.5 - One first-half intervention as Dempsey threatened then the second of two blistering strikes in the space of 60 seconds midway through the second half finally brought an equaliser 

Cicinho – 5 - Delightful cross almost produced a swift equaliser for Roma, Mexes heading just wide. Substituted at half-time.

Pizarro – 5.5 - One fierce strike looked goal-bound before being inadvertently cleared by his own team-mate, Chuka Okaka.

De Rossi – 6.5 - The captain was an unwitting instigator in the turning point of the game, but cannot be faulted for his part in Nevland's sending off. 

Guberti – 6 - After a quiet opening period, he began to make use of the space Roma suddenly had after Nevland's departure.

Okaka – 7.5 - Was eager enough in chasing throughballs from Julio Baptista but rarely threatened in the first half. Much more imposing in the second period, and warranted his winning goal.

Julio Baptista – 5.5 - A shadow of the player he promised to be while with Real Madrid and Arsenal. Easily dealt with by Hangeland and Hughes.

Substitutes

Julio Sergio – 5 - On at half-time for injured Doni. Almost completely untroubled.

Taddei – 6 - Replaced Cicinho at half-time. Provided cross for the winner, then was fouled by Konchesky in injury time, leading to a red card.

Jeremy Menez - 4.5 - Had a tame shot cleared off the line.

FULHAM

Schwarzer – 7 - A quiet first half couldn't have contrasted more with his hectic second period. Blameless for either goal.

Konchesky – 6.5 - One excellent cross should have given Kamara his second goal of the night, but he headed wide. Shattered by his sending off, which merited a yellow card at worst.

Hangeland – 6.5 - A languid style of defending, but was never flustered by Julio ‘The Beast’ Baptista’s rough-house approach.

Pantsil – 6 - Maybe fortunate to be favoured when Mexes’ shot struck his arm, when many referees would have awarded a penalty.

Gera – 6 - Key to Fulham’s counterattacking approach, spraying the ball around intelligently. Subdued in the second half, as was his team. 

Greening – 6 - Harshly penalised on a couple of occasions, the second of which led to a booking that rules him out of the next Europa League tie against CSKA Sofia.

Etuhu – 5.5 - Went virtually unnoticed as the play whizzed around him in the second half as Fulham struggled to keep pace.

Riise – 6 - Appeared devastated when being substituted soon after contributing an unfortunate touch to his brother's equalising goal. Deserved better for his efforts.

Kamara – 7 - Looked at one point in the opening stages as though he would have to be substituted due to an injury, but soon perked up once he had won then converted the penalty.

Dempsey – 6.5 - Neat burst forward and perceptive cut-back created the penalty incident. Another whose selfless effort was crucial to Fulham’s approach and who deserved a better result.

Substitutes

Nevland - 3.5 - lasted just four minutes after replacing Kamara at half-time before a dubious sending off.

Zamora - 4 - Replaced Riise after the equaliser to little effect.