Facing the prospect of losing three consecutive European home matches for the first time in club history, Roma needed to improve after a shaky start to their Europa League campaign (W2, L2).
Nonetheless, the Giallorossi quickly asserted dominance, taking the lead within seven minutes when Neil El Aynaoui expertly volleyed in a cross from Zeki Çelik, scoring his first goal for the club past Elías Rafn Ólafsson.
From that point, Roma controlled the game for the rest of the first half, nearly extending their lead when Lorenzo Pellegrini’s deflected shot narrowly missed the target.
Midtjylland had fired more shots on target than any other team in the opening four rounds (26), but at the start of the second half, they still hadn’t tested Mile Svilar.
Therefore, their status as the only team with a perfect points record in the Europa League was under serious threat, as the hosts pressed for a second goal with Matías Soulé curling a shot just wide.
Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy both challenged Ólafsson as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side appeared more likely to score next, yet their lead remained narrow entering the final 20 minutes. Svilar had to stay alert to deny several Midtjylland attempts, but he could only watch as Júnior Brumado’s header from a corner struck the crossbar.
With time running short, Roma seemed to secure the win with a sharp counterattack finished neatly by El Shaarawy’s side-footed shot.
However, Paulinho still managed to score a close-range goal four minutes later, casting uncertainty over the result in the closing moments. In the end, Roma did enough to claim all three points, achieving their first streak of three consecutive competitive wins this season.
As for Midtjylland, their best-ever winning run in European competition ended, but they remain atop the Europa League group standings for now, three points clear of Roma, who hold a playoff spot with three matches remaining.
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