Roma will be thankful their Champions League fate wasn’t reliant on a positive result in their final group game as they fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat away to Viktoria Plzen.
Eusebio Di Francesco did switch things up for the trip though, so the loss likely won’t come as a huge blow to the side’s moral.
Plzen secured their place in the Europa League with the three points despite CSKA Moscow shockingly smashing Real Madrid 3-0 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Jan Kovarik got the hosts up and running after the hour mark as he found himself on the end of a low cross from Jan Kopic, tapping in from close range.
Cengiz Under did level for the Eternal City side within ten minutes of the opener, as Davide Santon picked him out.
Plzen did strike again through Tomas Chory after he pounced on a rebound as Antonio Mirante parried Kovarik’s initial effort.
The drama didn’t end there for Eusebio Di Francesco’s side though and Luca Pellegrini was given his marching orders in stoppage time for a perceived elbow on a Plzen.
Roma welcome Genoa to the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A this coming weekend before facing the tough task of a trip to Turin to take on leaders and champions Juventus.
Schick still not starring
With each week that passes, Patrik Schick’s time at Roma looks increasingly limited and he again failed to find the net for the Giallorossi.
Clearly a talented player, Schick just hasn’t quite found his feet in the Eternal City and maybe a January or summer switch would be beneficial for him, even on a temporary basis to rediscover his form before returning to the capital.
Uncertainty surrounds Di Francesco
Another slip for Roma only intensifies the question marks hanging over Di Francesco’s head.
Despite this being a relatively pressure-free game, his side still fell to another disappointment and his position is looking less secure by the game.
With Christmas and a subsequent January break coming, the club may see it right to make a switch with time to source a replacement.
