Tammy Abraham’s 99th Minute Penalty sees Roma finally breakthrough Ivan Provedel to gain maximum points #1408

Following a comeback against Hellas Verona last week to earn a point at the Olimpico, Roma would embrace another challenge in hopes of getting their season back on track. Roma has drawn their last three games he seems to be falling further and further away from Europa League qualification. They will travel to Spezia for the second time after earning a tough 2–0 victory in the reverse fixture. Roma, it’s chasing Europe, while Spezia is only four points from the Drop Zone and looking to create a little separation. Considering Roma’s forum, Spezia would have a fair shot with Jose Mourinho suspended with Felix Afena and Sergio Oliveira both out with injured. It turned out to be a theatrical and climatic affair in southeast Italy. Roma hasn’t been playing at their best, and this was a chance to get it back in their favor. Incredible performance from Roma one of their most productive and positive performances of the season. Roma was dominant, nearly scored twice in the opening few minutes, and only built on that as the match went on. They were moving the ball all over the pitch, getting themselves in dangerous positions. The chances they created were special after failing to launch in front of the goal for the last few weeks; Roma looked slightly different. They created so many opportunities, but the goalkeeper and the defense from Spezia were on another level, making things very difficult. It was a goalless draw after the first half, and it’s only continued as the match the intensity and aggressiveness of Roma escalated; they continued and continued to try to push for that winning goal, but it didn’t seem like it was going to arrive. It would have been hugely disheartening considering the quality of their performance if they left without any points. In stoppage-time, Nicolo Zaniolo was kicked in the head Inside the Box as Roma were awarded a penalty in the 99th minute Tammy Abraham as he wins it for Roma at the death as Roma left with a renewed sense of confidence ahead of their two biggest matches of the season as Tammy Abraham’s penalty settles it.

At the preparations and predictions, the match got underway in Northwest Italy in the Genoa region as Roma’s head out on the road strapped up and ready for battle as Spezia looked to pull off an upset and create space on the bottom of the table against a Roma team that is without a win in their last three. Roma had an extremely aggressive start; they weren’t messing around. Mere minutes into the game Jordan Veretout directed a cross into the box as Gianluca Mancini got his head on the end of it. Ivan Provedel’s immediate reflexes kept the ball at the line before a follow-up from Max kumbulla blocked by the defense. A sequence that would set the tone for the remainder of the match Roma came to play, but Ivan Provedel was ready for it. Roma wasn’t discouraged getting themselves in a dangerous position not long after as Rick karsdorp found Lorenzo Pellegrini from in close, but the Roma Captain can’t quite get the touch on it as he searches for the top corner but had a little too much on it. Roman made their intentions very clear in the early part of this match; they were going to manhandle them just minutes into the game they were already dominating. Roma was without Mourinho on the bench; whether that is the reason or not is unclear, but Roma was ready. Just a few minutes prior to the 20-minute mark, Spezia had a rare chance with Daniele Verde. Still, the former Roma product didn’t challenge Rui Patricio Asma Portuguese shot-stopper who had very little to do all afternoon. 2 minutes later, Roma replied immediately. Lorenzo Pellegrini saved from outside the box on a well-hit strike before Tammy Abraham looked for the top corner, but Ivan Provedel made another terrific save. It was made clear early in the game that it would take something special to beat the goalkeeper. Roma’s attacking mentality was relentless; they were going for it. Tammy Abraham managed to gather another chance from close range after being put through by henrikh Mkhitaryan; the finishing touch had a little too much as it looked at the last second. Roma continued to dominate and show their superiority but was unable to take advantage of it as of yet. Played in the first half, Spezia tested Rui Patricio with a strike from Verde that came close. Then at the very end of the first half, Spezia saw red reducing them to 10 men, much of the protest of the home side and the coaching staff. It was a goalless draw at the end of the first half, but momentum was certainly with the Romans.

Roma may not have been able to break through yet, but they dominated the run of play, playing some of their best football of the season. Roma hadn't put together such an on cue performance since the Atalanta game. Even though it was still goalless, Roma was right there; they had the service, the possession, and more conviction in front of goal than we have seen in weeks. I felt like it was only going to be a matter of time, especially seeing Spezia reduced to 10 men; however, breaking through that goalkeeper was going to be difficult. Roma made their first change bringing in Nicolo zaniolo for Gianluca Mancini. He'd already picked up a yellow card, so a decision was made to avoid suspension while bringing on the young Italian as Roma seemed on the verge of a breakthrough. Roma picked up right where they left off minutes into the second half Lorenzo Pellegrini directed a corner toward Tammy Abraham; the header was on Target before pushing to the left. Minutes later, Nicolo zaniolo saw an attempt on goal blocked by the defense before falling Towards Bryan cristante, hitting a snipe from outside the box as he hits the bottom post as Roma nearly pushed themselves in front. Seconds later, Roma got into a dangerous position again as Lorenzo Pellegrini, from point-blank range, looked for the bottom corner Ivan Provedel was there once again. Ivan was playing some of the best goalkeeping I have seen in my life, not to mention his defense was there giving him support as well; breaking through against this brick wall was going to be a lot more difficult than many probably would have thought. Spezia tries to flip the script with a few chances to get some momentum back from deep misfiring and Nzola trying to get past Rui Patricio, but the Portuguese keeper had no issues collecting the strike. Then Roma was right there again with more chances. A chance from close range from Lorenzo Pellegrini misfiring followed by striking from an attempt from the side of the box from Jordan veretout. Time was ticking away, and Roma was playing some of their best football of the season, but they could not get it over the line. It felt like it would be another missed opportunity despite their incredible performance. With roughly 20 minutes to go, Stephan El Shaarawy was brought in for Jordan Veretout. Roma immediately found some space off a set piece with Rick Karsdorp finding Max Kumbulla but once again couldn't find a way through. Tammy Abraham found space for Lorenzo Pellegrini's strike to the left somehow, Ivan Provedel gets to it again. It was coming very antagonizing because he was finding a way to get his hands on everything. 3 minutes after that, Nicolo Zaniolo tried to do the same, but the result was unchanged as the keeper was having a game of his life. Zaniolo tried to create something after collecting the ball from Stephan El Shaarawy, but they still could not beat the keeper; with about 10 minutes remaining, Mkhitaryan nearly caught the goalkeeper out from a distance as his strike landed on top of the goal but look dangerous. 10 minutes later, Roma brought on Shomurodov, replacing Roma youngster Nicola Zalewski. Tammy Abraham was a manner of inches from taking the lead as the English striker nearly pushed the ball over the line after being threaded inside the box by Nicolo zaniolo Immaculate goalkeeper continued to keep Roma at arm's length. 2 minutes later, Nicolo zaniolo blocked from deep, and Tammy Abraham misses to the right. Fast forward 5 minutes later, Roma continued to dominate but couldn't break through Lorenzo Pellegrini from a free-kick coming close but not doing enough. Shomurodov blasting from close range but blocked by the defense; we were in stoppage time now; it seems like it just wasn't going to happen for Roma. Roam brought on Aguardo Bove as the youngster hopes to save Roma two weeks in a row. The minutes were ticking away Tammy Abraham putting his foot through a cross from Rick karsdorp, then Bryan cristante sees his header unable to reach the target. It seemed like the moment was never going to arrive, which would have been a devastating ending to a game in which they dominated so precisely; however, they did get what they deserved on another close attempt from inside the box with Incredible goalkeeping and defending, keeping the ball out however Nicolo Zaniolo was kicked in the head while trying to make contact with the ball as blood started pouring down from his face. Things erupted; the referee was listening to its communication and checking the video review to confirm or deny a possible penalty. As he was walking towards the screen, a barrage of Spezia players surrounded him and coaches. They would not leave his side and give him space to make a decision protested and protested and acted incredibly inappropriately; whether you like the call or not, you cannot follow the referee to the screen; they would not leave him alone I'm actually surprised more people didn't get a yellow card it got so bad that Rui Patricio from Roma's goal came rushing through to try to get the Spezia players away from him cards were shown before he was finally able to get to the screen by himself. There was no real claim against the penalty. Nicolo Zaniolo made contact before he was kicked in the head; even if he wasn't, it's enough to justify the spot-kick. The referee looked for maybe a few seconds as he saw it as pretty clear. The referee pointed to the spot as Roma had a chance to win it at the death. In the 99th minute, Tammy Abraham picked up the ball placed it from 12 yards out with a chance to win it. Tammy Abraham stepped up Ivan Provedel guessed correctly but was unable to get to it as he has finally beaten Tammy Abraham puts Roma in front in the ninth minute of stoppage time to win late in a game it could be very defining for Roma's European Chase the penalty is converted Tammy Abraham strike giving Roma a 1-0 victory as he scores his 19th goal of the season to steal one at the last possible moment now Roma head into and most important stretch of the season with confidence and momentum following late victory.

It has been a tough stretch for this Roma team. They have drawn their last three games, and they needed a late goal in two of those. Roma’s performances have been discouraging and problematic. Their inability to finish in front of goal has been disastrous; better clinical finishing in those last three games, Roma could have had nine points; instead, they only got three. Europa League qualification continues to slip away with each difficult performance. However, there appears to be an opportunity with Lazio and Atalanta in their next two games; they can significantly make some ground up and maybe still have a chance to finish in the top five, which would be considered a very successful season. This is why there was so much importance ahead of this game. Roma still doesn’t have their full steam healthy, but many that missed against Hellas Verona would be back in the squad. Jose Mourinho would not be on the bench because he is serving a two-game suspension. Yesterday I speculated that it could be a blessing in disguise, not certainly, but there was a possibility of that considering Mou’s tactics and decisions have been quite erratic as of late. Without Mourinho, Roma played the best football we have seen in several months. They attacked extremely well the link-up play between the midfield and the attack on the same page, still using the outside areas to find space in the Box. Roma played as well as they could have. Lorenzo Pellegrini was dynamic in the Midfield, and we saw a lot of contribution from Tammy Abraham as expected but also from Roma youngster Nicolas Zale and Rick Karsdorp, who did a terrific job getting in dangerous areas for this role my team. There was service the connection to the attackers the connection in front of goal was strong the decision-making, for the most part, was not an issue, and Roma almost didn’t win the game. I have seen some of the best defending and goalkeeping as Roma dealt with a lot of Misfortune and bad luck. Just an unbelievable performance. I would even go as far to say it’s even though Roma did end up winning this game, the man of the match was the opposing goalkeeper if it wasn’t for him and the way the defense played as well, it’s hard to say that Roma wouldn’t have scored at least three goals in this game. After coming off the bench, Nicolo Zaniolo had an up-and-down game but ended up winning a crucial penalty, being kicked in the head as Tammy Abraham rescues Roma to death. Roma will be without Jose Mourinho next week at home against Atlanta; it’s unclear whether or not the performance is because of the absence of Mourinho or just the players really motivated; however, it sets up two crucial matches that is Roma able to secure maximum points against Atalanta and the derby against Lazio they could climb themselves into the Europa League places in a matter of weeks. Tammy Abraham’s penalty all goes well could be a turning point of the season.