Federico Fazio scored both an own goal and the equalizer, but Marcus Thuram’s stoppage-time header gave Borussia Monchengladbach a 2-1 win over Roma.
The Giallorossi were still smarting after the hugely controversial 1-1 draw at the Olimpico, where the Germans were awarded a penalty in stoppages for non-existent Chris Smalling handball.
Nicolò Zaniolo’s header from a corner skimmed the crossbar in what was almost an exact repeat of the goal he scored against Gladbach in Rome.
Denis Zakaria’s scorcher from distance landed on the roof of the net, while Pau Lopez flew to pluck a Laszlo Benes half-volley out of the air.
The deadlock was broken by a bizarre own goal, as Marcus Thuram rolled a ball across from the left and there were no Gladbach players anywhere near reaching it, but Federico Fazio panicked and prodded past Pau Lopez from six yards.
The lack of VAR was decisive in their last game and it proved to be crucial again here, because replays show the ball went out of play in the build-up, so this goal should’ve been disallowed.
The pressure eventually paid off and it was rather fitting that the Fazio own goal should be cancelled out by Fazio. The defender got it in the right net this time, at full stretch after shaking off his marker to volley the Kolarov free kick into the roof of the net from close range.
Roma had the momentum now and had two massive opportunities to go 2-1 up moments later, but Kluivert slipped on the first one, then blasted over on a wonderful Dzeko assist.
Just as at the Olimpico, Roma were stunned by a Gladbach goal with almost the last kick of the game. A hopeful cross was whipped in, Alassane Plea knocked it down and Marcus Thuram had far too much room to turn in from eight yards.