VfB Stuttgart's UEFA Europa League top-eight hopes dented by Roma

VfB Stuttgart were beaten by Roma in a setback to their chances of progressing straight to the last 16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase of the UEFA Europa League.

Roma 2-0 Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Pisilli 39’ (assist: Soulé), 2-0 Pisilli 90+2’ (assist: Dybala)

Stuttgart had a frustrating evening in the Italian capital with good chances for Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirović - but neither forward could convert in front of goal. Niccolò Pisilli, by contrast, was clinical, scoring twice at the end of both halves to seal an important win for Roma. 

The 2-0 defeat drops Stuttgart down to 12th in the Europa League table, two points adrift of eighth-placed Real Betis. They must now beat Young Boys next Thursday to stand any chance of finishing inside the top eight.

As it happened!

2 - 0

(0 - 0)

Roma

FINAL

Stuttgart

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 7 League phase, Matchday 7 Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Full-time: Roma 2-0 Stuttgart

The Italians move into the top eight of the UEL league phase thanks to a fine double from Pisilli. It was a frustrating evening for visitors Stuttgart, who created good chances for Undav and Demirović - but neither striker could get on the scoresheet. As a consequence of the 2-0 defeat, they drop down to 12th in the table, and must now beat Young Boys in their final league phase game to stand any hope of finishing inside the top eight.

© IMAGO/Fabio Sasso

End of second half

90'

+ 3

Pisilli at the double!

He's done it again! The young midfielder wriggles free inside the Stuttgart area and fires past Nübel from point-blank range, giving the German keeper no chance. Game, set and match Roma.

90'

+ 3

Niccoló Pisilli

GOAL!

2:0

90'

+ 1

Five minutes of added-time

Can Stuttgart salvage a priceless point?

89'

Demirović scuffs his shot

Its pinball inside the Roma box. The ball drops kindly for Demirović, but he balloons his shot high and wide of Svilar's goal.

87'

Mancini to the rescue for Roma!

Leweling again does very well to break forward and flash the ball across the Roma box. However, Mancini just about stops Demirović from being able to get a clean shot away, after stretching out his long leg to great effect. The defender looks to be in some pain for his troubles.

Five minutes to go...

Stuttgart are running out of time here, and frustratingly for them, it's Roma who are currently enjoying a decent spell of possession. A good move from the host sees Wesley snap at a shot and fire wide from just inside the Stuttgart box.

© IMAGO/Antonio Balasco

84'

Soulé heads off to a rousing reception

His piece of magic in the first half to pick out Pisilli may well be the difference tonight, but he won't get the chance to inflict any more damage on Stuttgart. The Argentine is replaced for the final few minutes by Mancini.

82'

Substitution

Mancini

Soulé

82'

Substitution

Josha Vagnoman

Lorenz Assignon

79'

Demirović goes close!

A flick-on picks out the forward inside the six-yard box, who pokes the ball goalwards on the stretch. His shot is straight at the Roma stopper, and he can't quite sort his feet out to convert the follow-up. Ndicka then does well to scramble the ball away to safety.

75'

Both sides make changes

Argentine superstar Dybala is on for the final 20 minutes or so, while Stuttgart introduce Bouanani and Demirović in their search for an equaliser.

73'

Substitution

Wesley

Tsimikas

73'

Substitution

Dybala

Pellegrini

70'

Substitution

Badredine Bouanani

Maximilian Mittelstädt

70'

Substitution

Ermedin Demirović

Chris Führich

Leweling the danger man for Stuttgart

He has looked bright dropping into pockets of space in front of the Roma backline. However, the winger's latest speculative effort, from well outside the penalty area, sails over Svilar's crossbar.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Edward Cheung

66'

Assignon tests Svilar

A slick passing move from Stuttgart eventually sees Karazor chip the ball into the path of Assignon wide in the Roma box, but the wing-back's driven effort is well held by Svilar.

61'

Double change for Roma

Gasperini looks to shore things up at the back for Roma, by bringing on the experienced Ndicka and Cristante.

59'

Substitution

Cristante

Koné

59'

Substitution

Ndicka

Ziołkowski

58'

Another big chance for Undav!

Mittelstädt's free-kick attempt is diverted after hitting the wall, and Undav is the first to pounce. Unfortunately for Stuttgart, he blazes his effort well over the bar from a few yards out. That could be a costly miss...

57'

Free-kick for Stuttgart in a dangerous area

Undav does well to win it, which is around 25 yards from Svilar's goal. What can Mittelstädt do...

55'

Soulé lively again

His killer through-ball created Roma's opener, and the winger is threatening to do the same again on the right-hand side. Soulé has been the standout player for the Serie A outfit so far.

51'

Final warning for Koné

The midfielder avoids a booking for an accidental stamp on Leweling's foot, but he appears to be on his final chance with the referee after several early fouls on Karazor.

48'

Half chances for Roma

Pellegrini works a good chance just inside the Stuttgart area, but fires well wide. Moments later, Ziołkowski heads over the bar from a corner-kick. The hosts are still pushing forward for a second goal.

Undav denied!

It's a big chance for the Stuttgart striker, who span superbly away from Ziołkowski, but Svilar made himself big and kept the ball out from close range. That's the start Hoeneß would have been hoping for.

© IMAGO/Andrea Staccioli / Insidefoto

46'

Back underway!

Can Stuttgart drag themselves back into this one in the second 45 minutes? Both sides remain unchanged

Half-time: Roma 1-0 Stuttgart

After a very bright start and some good spells of possession, Stuttgart find themselves 1-0 down at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to an excellent link-up between Soulé and Pisilli. The visitors will be disappointed with how they ended the first half, as Roma threatened to add a second goal before the break. As things stand, Stuttgart will drop to 12th in the UEL league phase table, while Roma are set to move up to 5th.

© IMAGO/Antonio Balasco

Half-time

45'

1 minute of added-time

Roma are looking the more likley to grab a second here, with good work again on the counter.

40'

Niccolò Pisilli

GOAL!

1:0

Pisilli gives Roma the lead!

The midfielder is played through on goal thanks to a fine Soulé pass, and he doesn't waste his opportunity, picking out the far corner of the net beautifully for his first goal of the season. It's a hammer blow for Stuttgart, who've looked bright this half.

© IMAGO/Antonio Balasco

36'

Undav fires well over the bar

It's a rare chance for Stuttgart to hit Roma on the break, as Chabot picks out Undav with a searching through ball. The striker takes his shot early on the half-volley, but can't keep it down.

33'

Svilar saves low from Leweling

The German winger finds some space in the Roma box to get a shot off, but Svilar is equal to it with a simple save to his left. Die Schwaben are well in this one.

32'

Koné and Karazor duel in midfield

The pair appear to be marking each other, with Koné having fouled his opposite number a few times already. It's a fascinating battle that could decide the outcome of this close and cagey affair.

28'

Nübel rises high to claim a corner

Roma get their first corner of the match, but it's well dealt with by the Stuttgart stopper.

Game settles into a familiar pattern

They may be away from home, but Stuttgart look more than happy to keep hold of the ball at the moment, and press Roma right up to their own penalty area. By contrast, Roma are looking to hit their opponents on the break, with Ferguson doing a good job so far of holding the ball up for his advancing teammates.

© IMAGO/Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse

20'

Mittelstädt goes in late on Soulé

The German international has picked up a yellow, and will have to be careful for the rest of the match up against the tricky Soulé.

19'

Yellow card

Maximilian Mittelstädt

18'

Nice work from Rensch

The full-back helps alleviate the pressure on his side after making a lung-busting run forward, which ends with a cross into the Stuttgart box. It ultimately comes to nothing, but moments later Soulé blazes his shot over the bar from range.

15'

Roma pinned in their own half

The hosts are struggling to get up the pitch as Stuttgart are retaining the ball very well. The Bundesliga side are now making inroads in the final third, and have just won a free-kick on the edge of the Roma box.

10'

Ferguson almost in

The Irish striker pounces on an error from Chabot, but the Stuttgart defender does well to get back and shut the move down. That aside, Stuttgart remain largely on top.

Visitors make a strong start

Despite the cauldron-like atmosphere Roma have created, it's Stuttgart who have made the brighter start. Hoeneß's side look especially dangerous on the counter.

© Paolo Bruno

2'

Early shot for Mittelstädt

Stuttgart work the ball well on the edge of the Roma penalty area. Führich plays in Mittelstädt on the egde of the box, who fires over the crossbar.

We're underway!

Roma get the game going at the Stadio Olimpico. The hosts are in their familiar burgundy strip, while Stuttgart are in all-white.

Kick-off!

More on that Stuttgart side

There's no Angelo Stiller in midfield for the visitors this evening, who is injured and replaced by Andrés. Sebastian Hoeneß also makes another two changes from the side that drew with Union Berlin last Sunday, with Jeltsch and Assignon replacing Vagnoman and Nartey.

More on that Roma side

Roma make several changes from the side that beat Torino 2-0 last weekend, with Ndicka, Dybala, França, Cristante and Mancini all dropping to the bench, replaced by Tsimikas, Soulé, Pisilli, Ziołkowski and Çelik. New signing Malen, meanwhile, is not even in the squad tonight.

UEL's form sides meet in Rome

From MD4 onwards, Stuttgart and Roma are two of five sides with 100% win records, winning all three of their respective games. Stuttgart have netted the most goals in that time (10).

Stuttgart's last Italian away day

Die Schwaben were victorious the last time they played in Italy, defeating Juventus 1-0 in the UCL back in 2024. El Bilal Tourè was the hero that night for Stuttgart, after scoring a 92nd-minute winner.

© MARCO BERTORELLO

Roma starting XI

Svilar - Çelik, Ziołkowski, Ghilardi - Rensch, Koné, Pisilli, Tsimikas - Soulé, Pellegrini (c), Ferguson

Roma subs

Cristante, Ndicka, Dybala, Mancini, França, De Marzi, Lulli, Gollini

Stuttgart starting XI

Nübel - Hendriks, Chabot, Jeltsch, Assignon - Karazor (c), Andrés - Leweling, Führich, Mittelstädt - Undav

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Vagnoman, Demirović, Bouanani, Olivier, Catovic, Herwerth, Hellstern

Table talk

Roma and Stuttgart currently sit level on points in 9th and 10th place in the UEL league phase table, just outside of the automatic qualification spots. A win for either team, depending on results elsewhere, could propel them into the top eight. Both sides have won their last three matches in the competition.

© IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER

Latest team news

Sebastian Hoeneß says there is a "low probability" of Angelo Stiller appearing after a recent injury, while Ermedin Demirović is in the squad in the place of Nikolas Nartey, who had been a replacement during the Bosnian's foot injury in the autumn - and now has to drop out due to UEFA regulations. Also on Stuttgart's injury list are Lazar Jovanović, Tiago Tomás, Dan Axel Zagadou and Luca Jaquez.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Edward Cheung

Alexander Nübel on 'big club' Roma

"It'll be important that we win our one-v-one duels all over the pitch. We want to shift the play into Roma's half. They're a big club with big players – it’s going to be very tough to get anything here."

© DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann

Sebastian Hoeneß on facing Roma

"Roma are one of the best teams in the Europa League. They play with maturity and composure, and are also very clinical. Gian Piero Gasperini is an excellent manager who has quickly made his mark on the team. We need to find the right balance between attacking play and defensive stability."

© IMAGO/Alexander Keppler

Familiar faces

Roma's side contains a number of former Bundesliga players. Four to be exact, with Evan Ndicka (Eintracht Frankfurt), Angeliño (RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim), Mario Hermoso (Bayer Leverkusen) and Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach) all on board. Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund) recently joined the club on loan from Aston Villa, but is ineligible for the league phase. Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen) was on loan with the Italians, before being recalled by parent club Villa earlier this week.

© Paolo Bruno

Tale of the tape

While these two are yet to face each other, they both have a long history of games against sides from the opposing nation. Stuttgart have previously played 15 times against Italian sides, but have won just four. Their previous win came against Juventus in last season's UEFA Champions League. Roma, meanwhile, have played a huge 44 games against German clubs, winning 20, drawing six and losing 18.

© IMAGO/Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse

1:03

Watch: Stuttgart 1-1 Union Berlin - highlights

Wooyeong Jeong cancelled out Chris Führich's opener as Union claimed a share of the spoils at the MHPArena on Sunday.

Stuttgart nearing knockout play-off berth

Bilal El Khannouss has led their continental charge, starring with three goals, scoring in three of the four wins so far, although his Africa Cup of Nations participation means the Moroccan won't be available.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Wolfgang Frank

Stuttgart - the story so far

Sebastian Hoeneß's men have a chance to ensure a place in at least the knockout play-offs with a win in Italy, and they're coming into this game with confidence. Like Roma, Stuttgart have victories in their last three European fixtures, beating Feyenoord (2-0), Go Ahead Eagles (4-0) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-1) to move on to 12 points from six games in ninth place.

© IMAGO/Steven Mohr

Roma - the story so far

A Matchday 1 victory in Nice (2-1) preceded home defeats against Lille (1-0) and Viktoria Plzeň (2-1), but Roma come into this game with three straight wins against Rangers (2-0), Midtjylland (2-1) and Celtic (3-0).

© Ian MacNicol

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action from VfB Stuttgart's UEFA Europa League clash against Roma, as both teams meet in a competitive fixture for the first time.

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