Roma coach Daniele de Rossi hailed goalkeeper Mile Svilar after their Europa League shootout win against Feyenoord.
Lorenzo Pellegrini struck for Roma to cancel out Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez’s opener. After extra-time, the tie ended at 2-2 and was taken to penalties, where Svilar produced his heroics.
De Rossi said: “He’s strong because he now has support from a team that is behind him, he plays more regularly and is also supported by Rui Patricio, who is a great man, I want to point that out.
“I know people say penalties are a lottery, but it’s not just luck, because he works hard, studies the opponents, is quick off his line, so he knows what he’s doing and that brings luck onto your side.”
He also stated: “I am super happy with what I am seeing, but there is a lot of work still to be done. Teams always need to work, even when they have been together for years. I am trying to pass on some concepts and areas where we have to improve, for instance that we should’ve been ahead in the first half.
“It is true that we do not always manage to hold out 90 minutes at the same tempo, but also don’t forget we were up against a team that was built to compete in the Champions League. We must work and figure out why we don’t resist that long, but at the same time I saw everyone pour forward at the 120th minute to support Lukaku when the goalkeeper performed a miracle on his shot.”
Victory sees Roma reach the Europa League round of 16.
