UEL: AS Roma Wins 2-1 Over Nice in UEFA Europa League Opener

Roma gets off to strong start in Europa League with 2-1 win over nice

Roma beat Nice 2-1 in the Europa League opener, with defenders Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini scoring crucial goals. Read more.

Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from his heroics in the Rome derby, was introduced as a half-time substitute...

AS Roma began their 2025/26 UEFA Europa League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over OGC Nice at the Allianz Riviera. The Italian side scored twice in a span of three minutes to secure the win.

Nice, who have struggled in European competition, had shown early promise in the match. However, Roma's quality ultimately told as they found their rhythm and secured the win. The hosts had hoped to revive their campaign with a strong performance against one of the tournament favorites, but Roma's experience and skill proved decisive.

The French side effectively matched the Italians in the opening period, frustrating their opponents with a disciplined approach. The first half saw few chances and little action, with Manu Koné's powerful shot from the edge of the area being the first notable attempt. However, it was deflected wide, failing to trouble the goalkeeper.

Roma's primary challenge in the first half wasn't defending against their opponents' attacks but rather avoiding disciplinary issues. They picked up three bookings in the opening 45 minutes, highlighting their struggles to stay out of the referee's notebook.

The first half's most notable moment of quality came when Matías Soule delivered an excellent through ball to Gianluca Mancini, who made a strong run into the box. Mancini's low cross nearly found Artem Dovbyk, who was in a prime position to score. However, Dovbyk just missed the opportunity, leaving Nice's goalkeeper to breathe a sigh of relief.

Roma continued to press forward and nearly took the lead when Mancini nodded home a goal. However, the Italian centre-back's celebration was short-lived as he was flagged for offside, denying Roma the opening goal.

 

Roma start their #UEL campaign with a win 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Wo6FFxgtDo

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 24, 2025

Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from his heroics in the Rome derby, was introduced as a half-time substitute and quickly made his presence felt. Just seven minutes into the second half, Pellegrini delivered a precise corner kick that Evan Ndicka met at the near post with a powerful header, sending the ball past Yehvann Diouf in the Nice goal.

This pivotal moment showcased Pellegrini's influence on the game, as he continued to demonstrate his skill and vision on the field. His contribution helped AS Roma secure a 2-1 win over OGC Nice in their UEFA Europa League match. Pellegrini's performance was a testament to his value as a player, and his ability to make a difference in crucial games.

Just three minutes after Pellegrini's corner led to the opening goal, another Roma defender made his mark. Kostas Tsimikas delivered a beautifully curled cross into the box, where Gianluca Mancini, making his trademark forward run, met the ball with a powerful volley that proved unstoppable. This goal seemed to put the game out of Nice's reach.

However, Nice received a lifeline when Niccolò Pisilli inexplicably pushed Antoine Mendy in the box, resulting in a penalty. Terem Moffi coolly slotted home the spot kick to set up a tense finish. Despite the late drama, Roma managed to hold on for the win, marking another frustrating European night for Franck Haise's side.