UEL: Heroic Özer saves Lille in stunning win over Roma

LOSC Lille produced a famous European night in Rome, defeating AS Roma 1-0 thanks to a heroic display from goalkeeper Berke Özer, who saved three penalties in a row to secure all three points for Les Dogues.

Lille’s start to the season has often been sluggish, but Paulo Fonseca’s men struck early at the Stadio Olimpico. Thomas Meunier capitalised on a loose touch from Konstantinos Tsimikas, feeding Félix Correia, who in turn released Hákon Arnar Haraldsson. The Icelandic midfielder drove into the box before finishing confidently past Mile Svilar to give the visitors the lead (6').

Roma had still been adjusting under Gian Piero Gasperini and struggled for rhythm and fluidity. Despite enjoying spells of possession, they failed to truly unsettle Lille until a frantic period late in the first half. Tsimikas twice tested the defence, forcing Özer into action, before Neil El Aynaoui saw a close-range effort cleared heroically off the line by Aïssa Mandi.

Lille nearly doubled their advantage after the break through Haraldsson and Olivier Giroud, while Roma responded with pressure of their own. Evan Ferguson’s header briefly raised the noise inside the Olimpico, but it was ruled out for offside.

Three is the magic number...

The drama reached its peak in the closing stages. VAR spotted a handball by Mandi, awarding Roma a penalty. Artem Dovbyk stepped up, but his tame effort was saved by Özer. Lille had encroached, forcing a retake – the same outcome, with Özer denying Dovbyk again. Incredibly, Lille repeated the infringement, meaning a third attempt. This time Matías Soulé took responsibility, but Özer was equal to it once more.

From that moment, Roma’s fight seemed to evaporate. Lille held firm to seal a memorable victory in the Italian capital, leaving their Europa League campaign perfectly balanced after two match days.

The stat: When in rome
 

Lille OSC have become the first French club in history to win away at AS Roma in seven attempts by Ligue 1 McDonald's clubs. For the first time in their history, Les Dogues have also won their first two matches in a European group stage. 

Elsewhere in Europe: Nice defeated in Istanbul

OGC Nice’s difficult start to their European campaign continued as they fell 2-1 away to Fenerbahçe. A first-half double from Kerem Aktürkoglu (3’, 25’) left Franck Haise’s side chasing the game. Summer signing Kevin Carlos briefly restored hope with a composed penalty before the interval (37’), but Nice failed to build on that momentum in the second half.

Despite more possession after the break, Les Aiglons rarely troubled the Turkish defence and finished with just three shots on target. Goalkeeper Marcin Bulka Diouf made key interventions to keep the scoreline down, but Nice’s lack of cutting edge proved costly once again.

It marks a second consecutive defeat in the Europa League for Haise’s men, who remain searching for their first points in the competition.

READ MORE: 

>>UCL: Ramos strikes late as PSG stun Barcelona