Brighton 1-0 Roma (1-4 agg): Player ratings as Seagulls bow out of maiden Europa League campaign

FROM THE AMEX STADIUM - Brighton's maiden Europa League campaign ended valiantly as they beat Roma on the south coast but exited the competition at the last 16 stage after a 4-1 defeat on aggregate.

The Seagulls had moments of momentum and Danny Welbeck got the home fans believing when he thundered one in from distance.

However, the hosts were unable to set up a grandstand finish as Roma protected their first leg advantage well enough to confirm their place in the quarter-finals, with the draw set to take place on Friday.

How the game unfolded

In their first ever home European knockout game, Brighton were faced with a four-goal deficit to overturn having limped to defeat in Italy's capital last week. Their haste in possession was notable early on, forcing Mile Svilar into an early stop before Welbeck lifted Lewis Dunk's nod across goal over the bar.

A tense opening relaxed somewhat when Gianluca Mancini clattered into Julio Enciso for the game's first booking, though the visitors offered their hosts a scare when Sardar Azmoun collected a loose pass and fired just wide with Bart Verbruggen beaten all ends up.

Nice play down the right saw Pascal Gross collect the ball with a good opening to shoot, but the German's piercing drive arrowed past the post before Azmoun improvised with a bicycle kick at the other end, only for the assistant referee to put his flag up for an earlier infringement.

A few more yellows cards were dished out before Brighton finally opened their account across the tie with a brilliant strike from distance.

Pervis Estupinan wriggled his way down the left before finding Welbeck on the edge of the box. The striker whipped an arching effort well beyond Svilar's reach into the far corner, breathing fresh life into the Albion crowd as the home side found a quarter of the goals required to restore parity.

However, three unanswered strikes were still required in the second period at the AMEX, with no English side ever previously managing to progress from a European tie having suffered defeat by four goals or more in the first leg.

The lively Enciso's last contribution before being hooked saw him tip-toe his way towards the area, though he eventually dragged his effort wide.

Roberto De Zerbi made four Albion substitutions before the hour mark and was so nearly rewarded with a second, but Simon Adingra directed his header straight at the sprawling Svilar when nailed on to score. Moments before, Leonardo Spinazzola had embarked on a mazy run which ended when he smashed the outside the post.

By the 75th minute, Brighton were only a goal ahead on then night with three needed to draw them level. Chances still arrived but De Zerbi's side couldn't finish them off, with Jan Paul van Hecke heading over with two opportunities.

Brighton's efforts ultimately weren't enough, having left themselves with too much to do after the heavy first leg defeat as their maiden voyage in Europe came to an end, though not without creating a raft of memories for Seagulls supporters who have never seen their side soar so high.

Instead, it's Roma who will await Friday's draw, with the likes of Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and AC Milan among their potential opponents in the quarter-finals.

Brighton player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Bart Verbruggen - 6/10 - Had little shot-stopping to do and always looked to get the game moving quickly.

RB: Tariq Lamptey - 7/10 - Floored Azmoun to pick up a booking. Bright and breezy running up and down the right.

CB: Jan Paul van Hecke - 7/10 - Showed good recovery pace tracking back to deal with Roma's counters and got forward himself, though couldn't direct any headed efforts on goal.

CB: Lewis Dunk - 7/10 - A stout performance in defence, doing little wrong while spraying passes.

LB: Pervis Estupinan - 7/10 - A constant outlet on the left and picked up an assist for Welbeck's thwack from distance. Some bickering with Pellegrini saw him booked.

CM: Pascal Gross - 6/10 - Summoned up cute turns here and there, but the end product was just lacking.

CM: Billy Gilmour - 6/10 - Patrolled midfield with endless energy and kept the ball moving quickly.

RW: Simon Adingra - 6/10 - Less threatening than Enciso in the first half but still had pretty moments on the ball, aided by Lamptey's willing running.

AM: Adam Lallana - 6/10 - Linked sequences together with his neat footwork, though occasionally slowed the pace when a decisive touch was needed. Had to hit the back of the net with his header which Svilar saved.

LW: Julio Enciso - 6/10 - Constantly put Celik on the back foot, looking dangerous both on the outside and when cutting infield. Brought off early in the second half.

ST: Danny Welbeck - 8/10 - Surged forward and linked up beautifully with Estupinan before reducing the deficit with an awesome strike from distance. Had other chances to shoot but didn't pull the trigger at the right time.

Substitutes

SUB: Ansu Fati (53' for Enciso) - 6/10 - Squared up his opposite player out wide but, like most other Albion players, the end product wouldn't arrive.

SUB: Facundo Buonanotte (53' for Lallana) - 6/10 - Showed some industry but couldn't produce a telling contribution.

SUB: Evan Ferguson (59' for Lamptey) - 5/10 - The ball just kept bouncing out of the Irishman's reach during his half-hour cameo.

SUB: Igor Julio (59' for Estupinan) - 6/10 - Was solid after his introduction.

SUB: Carlos Baleba (85' for Gilmour) - N/A

Subs not used: Adam Webster, Benicio Baker-Boaitey, Cameron Peupion, Jakub Moder, Jason Steele, Joel Veltman, Thomas McGill.

Manager

Roberto De Zerbi - 7/10 - No less animated on the touchline even with the tie almost over at the halfway stage. Oversaw a victory on the night but it wasn't enough to keep the European dream going.

Roma player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Mile Svilar - 8/10 - Booked for time-wasting in the first half. Well positioned to make an unbelievable stop to deny Adingra's header. Was calm all night to ensure no silly mistakes cost his team.

RB: Zeki Celik - 6/10 - Looked a little ropy when trying to deal with Enciso.

CB: Gianluca Mancini - 6/10 - Smashed into Enciso early on for a booking. Led a committed defence and ensured his side did enough on away soil to book a place in Friday's draw.

CB: Evan N'Dicka - 6/10 - Stopped play restarting which saw him yellow carded. Like Mancini, was resilient enough in getting the job done.

LB: Leonardo Spinazzola - 7/10 - Enterprising run forward ended with the Italy full-back hitting the outside of the woodwork. Otherwise, it was a more restrained but nonetheless efficient performance.

CM: Edoardo Bove - 6/10 - Constantly stuck his foot in and broke up play during an agricultural outing, though it wasn't always enough to halt Brighton's attacks.

CM: Bryan Cristante - 6/10 - Held the fort in central midfield well enough, though he couldn't get a grip on the game passing-wise.

CM: Lorenzo Pellegrini - 6/10 - A scuffle with Estupinan saw him booked. Busted out some classy moments on the ball here and there.

RW: Tommaso Baldanzi - 5/10 - Put in a decent shift which allowed stars like Paulo Dybala to get some rest.

ST: Sardar Azmoun - 6/10 - Had a clever overhead flick ruled out. Showed decent bursts of pace on occasion without making a huge impression.

LW: Nicola Zalewski - 6/10 - Reduced to brief moments on the counter and dog work in defence.

Substitutes

SUB: Diego Llorente (73' for Zalewski) - 6/10 - Brought on to stiffen up Roma's defence and made sure they didn't concede a second.

SUB: Houssem Aouar (83' for Baldanzi) - N/A

SUB: Joao Costa (90' for Azmoun) - N/A

Subs not used: Angelino, Stephan El Shaarawy, Leandro Paredes, Niccolo Pisilli, Paulo Dybala, Pietro Boer, Riccardo Pagano, Rick Karsdorp, Rui Patricio.

Manager

Daniele De Rossi - 6/10 - Made sure his side didn't shut up shop completely and, while defeated on the night, a 4-1 aggregate success was more than enough for De Rossi's outfit.

Player of the match: Mile Svilar (Roma)

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