No miracle for Brighton after Welbeck’s goal raises hope
The Amex PA system played the theme from The Great Escape before kick-off, but it turned out to be Mission: Impossible and there was no Europa League reprieve for Brighton.
Needing a four-goal near-miracle after their 4-0 first-leg defeat by Roma, Brighton gave it their best shot but could only muster a single goal from Danny Welbeck.
So the Seagulls’ first ever European campaign ended, but memories of victories over Ajax, Marseille and Roma remain and both club and team will be hungry for more.
For a while, the fans could dream as they roared Roberto De Zerbi’s men despite the impossibility of the task ahead. Brighton made openings in the first five minutes for Jan Paul van Hecke and Welbeck.
Roma’s tactics were soon clear: to sit back, waste time if possible – goalkeeper Mile Svilar was book for dawdling over a goal kick before halftime – and hit on the break.
They almost took the lead when a suicidal pass by Simon Adingra gifted possession to Sardar Azmoun, but he shot wide.
Brighton, though, had to push forward and take risks. Lewis Dunk had a free-kick blocked, Billy Gilmour volleyed over, and Pascal Gross pulled a shot wide. But they had a lucky escape when Azmoun’s foot was ruled dangerously high as his overhead volley found the net.
Perhaps energised by their let-off, Brighton went upfield and took the lead late in the first half. Welbeck carried the ball forward, took a return pass from Pervis Estupinan on the left and curled it past Svilar from the edge of the penalty area.
Leonardo Spinazzola hit the post on a Roma break, but the Seagulls went closer, Svilar saving well from Adingra and Ansu Fati. Brighton went out with their heads high.