Football
2016-17 UEFA Europa League, 2016/17 Group Stage
VIE 
2
FT
 ROMA
4
PA Sport 7y

Edin Dzeko at the double as Roma win in Vienna

Edin Dzeko struck twice as Roma beat Europa League rivals Austria Vienna 4-2 at the Ernst Happel Stadium to move top of Group E.

Olarenwaju Kayode gave the Austrians an early lead but Dzeko hit back almost immediately and scored again in the second half, while Daniele De Rossi and Radja Nainggolan were also on target for the Italians.

Alexander Grunwald scored Austria Vienna's second late on, but it was too little too late and they were leapfrogged into pole position by Roma, who now hold a three-point cushion at the top with two group games left to play.

The two sides fought out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Rome last month when Austria Vienna fought back from two goals down and the return clash was another entertaining encounter.

The Austrians stormed into a second-minute lead when Kayode fired home Lucas Venuto's ball in across the face of goal from the right.

But the home side's lead was short-lived as Bruno Peres broke clear down the right for Roma two minutes later and his cross was neatly turned home by Dzeko from 12 yards for his 14th goal of the season.

Roma took an 18th-minute lead when Dzeko's header from Leandro Paredes' corner was blocked and De Rossi followed up to convert from close range.

Grunwald went close to replying for Vienna five minutes later with a free-kick which was just off target and shortly before half-time Felipe Pires headed Raphael Holzhauser's free kick wide of Roma goalkeeper Alisson's left-hand post.

The chances continued to flow as Roma midfielder Diego Perotti curled a shot from the edge of the area wide following Paredes' short free-kick before the Italians forged further ahead in the 65th minute.

Stephan El Shaarawy crossed from the left and after Dzeko's first effort from 12 yards came back off the post, the Bosnia-Herzegovina international converted at the second attempt.

Lukas Rotpuller headed Grunwald's assist following a corner over the crossbar as Austria Vienna looked for a quick riposte, but when Nainggolan struck Roma's fourth goal with 12 minutes left the visitors were home and dry.

Paredes played a short free-kick on the right to Nainggolan in a central position on the edge of the area and the Belgium international arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner.

Grunwald pulled one back for the Austrians when he shot home from inside the area in the 89th minute, but there was no way back for the hosts.

^ Back to Top ^