HJK Helsinki 1-2 Roma: Abraham breaks the goal drought, Roma secured a vital victory
Tonight, Roma secured an important victory in their hopes of progressing in the Europa League, beating HJK Helsinki 2-1 in Finland.
The win moves Jose Mourinho’s side level on 7 points with Ludogorets in Group C – setting up a ‘win and go’ scenario next week when they host the Bulgarian side in the Italian capital.
As for tonight’s affair, it began in typical Roma fashion as the team decided to put their supporters through another cardiovascular summit course.
Helsinki almost took the lead less than five minutes into the start.
Veteran defender Chris Smalling produced a superb last-ditch block on Helsinki midfielder David Browne before Rui Patricio was called on late on.
Soon after, the hosts got a double goal-line clean from Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matias Vina, miraculously preventing the Giallorossi from taking the lead.
In the 28th minute, midfielder Bryan Cristante found his way into the goal and headed home Lorenzo Pellegrini’s corner kick.
But VAR determined youngster Cristian Volpato was offside and interfered with play, disallowing the goal and keeping the affair goalless.
However, Roma’s persistence finally paid off just minutes before half time thanks to the second set.
Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini delivered a perfectly placed free-kick into the area before Tammy Abraham headed home to give Roma a 1-0 lead.
It was the Englishman’s first goal in nearly two months, the last on September 12 against Empoli.
However, their lead was short-lived as the hosts equalized less than ten minutes after half-time.
Former Chievo Verona man Perparim Hetemaj scored when his ambitious effort from outside the box went beyond the reach of Rui Patricio.
However, Roma responded quickly and regained the lead eight minutes later in the 62nd minute.
Stephan El Shaarawy sent a dangerous cross towards Tammy Abraham, but the ball connected with Helsinki’s Arttu Hoskose, who moved his goalkeeper past Conor Hazard into his own goal.
content to see the game out by sitting deep, Roma almost came close to the window when Helsinki’s David Browne scored a knockout goal in the 80th minute.
However, the Giallorossi were given a huge break after the goal was knocked out, as Bryan Cristante had been fouled in the line-up.
The decision allowed Roma to secure all three points while breathing new life into their chances of progressing to the play-offs.