Roma and Bologna play out topsy-turvy Europa League clash, with stunning goals, comebacks and late drama - ‘I never thought they had it in them’

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There was plenty of drama at the Stadio Olimpico as Roma and Bologna produced one of the games of the season on Thursday, with stunning goals, comebacks and late drama. The second leg of their UEFA Europa League last 16 tie was sealed in extra time by Nicolo Cambiaghi, whose strike sealed a 4-3 victory on the night and a 5-4 win on aggregate for Bologna.

Cambiaghi sparks Bologna bedlam with extra-time winner at Roma

Video credit: TNT Sports

Fans at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome were treated to one of the games of the season on Thursday as Roma and Bologna played out a thrilling second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie.

The two teams entered level on aggregate before a topsy-turvy encounter unfolded, with goals flying in at both ends.

The game culminated in a dramatic extra-time winner from Nicolo Cambiaghi to seal a 4-3 victory for Bologna on the night and a 5-4 aggregate overall win to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

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”It’s in! It’s in! They’ve done it again, Bologna,” Matt Smith said on TNT Sports commentary after the winning strike. ”Incredible, I never thought they had it in them. I thought they were absolutely spent; it's incredible, honestly.”

Cambiaghi’s goal capped off a memorable occasion for Bologna and ended the game in style.

‘Pick that out!’

'Pick that one out!' - Rowe scores sublime goal for Bologna at Roma

Video credit: TNT Sports

Perhaps we should have anticipated fireworks in Thursday’s all-Italian clash given how it began.

Midway through the first half, Jonathan Rowe smashed the ball home from the edge of the box to begin the scoring in style.

”Oh my word! Pick that out! Bologna have been starved of possession. On the break, he did have options, but he didn’t need them, the Englishman. What a hit!” Smith said.

”That is some finish, that is a world-class finish from Jonathan Rowe. He just picks it up, takes one touch, sets himself, bends it around the defender, and the goalkeeper sees it very late. The strike is just too good. It’s got everything, it’s unstoppable.”

Yet 10 minutes later, Roma were level through a Ndicka header from a corner.

But Bologna were not to be dismayed, racing into a two-goal lead through a penalty from Federico Bernardeschi and a sumptuous first-time effort from Santiago Castro after more good work from Rowe.

‘Incredible game twists again’

It appeared as though the result might be running away from Roma until a late rally changed everything.

First, Donyell Malen coolly slotted home from the penalty spot to halve the deficit. And then, Lorenzo Pellegrini’s beautiful left-footed strike from the edge of the area in the 80th minute drew the Giallorossi level.

”It’s there! Incredible game twists again,” Smith said. ”Roma's former captain, on as a sub tonight. So much talk about him departing in the summer, not part of Gasperini’s plans, he's part of them tonight!

”Pellegrini's cool enough to take a touch, pick his spot and find the corner.”

Pellegrini sends thrilling tie with Bologna into extra time - 'What a finish!'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Now it was the home side who had the momentum. But as the game went into extra-time, Bologna were able to rally and go ahead for the third time through Cambiaghi’s deft finish.

”Just watching the game, you thought surely it's going to be Roma, they’ve got the quality. The first time that [Thijs] Dallinga’s kept hold of the ball, this pass is brilliant, great weight,” Smith said.

”He just got in behind [Evan] Ndicka, Ndicka's been magnificent, but a little bit of tired legs, just switching off. He somehow squeezes that in off the near post. What a finish.”

With the dramatic victory, Bologna advanced to the quarter-finals of a UEFA club competition for the first time in 27 years, and they will face Aston Villa in April.

Bologna and Villa have faced one another in each of the last two seasons – in the UEFA Champions League last season and in the league phase of this year’s Europa League – with the English side winning on both occasions.

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