UEL | Panathinaikos 1-1 Roma: Ziolkowski guarantees precious top 8 spot

Despite Gianluca Mancini’s red card after 15 minutes, Roma still secured a 1-1 draw away to Panathinaikos with Jan Ziolkowski, going straight into the Europa League Round of 16.

While both teams were already guaranteed a play-off spot, the Giallorossi went into the final round in sixth place. January signings Donyell Malen and Robinio Vaz were cup-tied, with Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone, Evan Ferguson, Artem Dovbyk, Mario Hermoso and Angelino injured. Panathinaikos coach Rafa Benitez had Karol Swiderski suspended, Pedro Chirivella, Facundo Pellistri, Filip Djuricic and ex-Milan captain Davide Calabria injured.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Kostas Tsimikas was sent clear by Lorenzo Pellegrini in the opening minute, stinging Alban Lafont’s gloves, then Matias Soulé and Pellegrini failed to make the most of an error playing out from the back.

Jan Ziolkowski should’ve done better when volleying wide from a Pellegrini free kick, but Roma were reduced to 10 men after just 15 minutes.

The referee initially showed a yellow card when Gianluca Mancini hauled back Milos Pantovic by the shoulder, but he was last man and in the final third, so VAR recommended a change to red.

Pantovic was running clear again on 33 minutes, but this time Bryan Cristante sprinted back and kept his cool for a great tackle.

The hosts were unlucky not to take the lead on 37 minutes when a ferocious Georgios Katris strike thumped the underside of the crossbar.

Evan Ndicka came on for the restart to bolster the defence, and an audacious Zeki Celik volley off the outside of the boot swung not far wide of the target.

Panathinaikos took the lead thanks to a defensive error, as Daniele Ghilardi didn’t realise Vicente Taborda was behind him when flicking on the long ball, so the player intercepted and drilled past Pierluigi Gollini.

Devyne Rensch came off the bench and almost scored with his first touch, springing the offside trap only to over-hit the lob.

Youth player Mattia Della Rocca made his senior debut and it was two youngsters who combined to give 10-man Roma their equaliser.

Niccolò Pisilli’s cross was flicked on by a defender and Jan Ziolkowski was ready for the diving header at the back post to draw them level.

The 10 men were pushing to get all three points late on, Ghilardi’s half-volley smothered by the goalkeeper.

There was more good news, as Angelino made his comeback after several months out with complications from bronchitis.

Taborda 58 (P), Ziolkowski 80 (R)

Sent off: Mancini 15 (R)