Ranieri’s joy as Hummels strikes late for Roma, ruining Tottenham’s night | Europa League

Contrary to expectations, it ended up being a night of traveling veterans proving their resilience. These are the moments that explain why Claudio Ranieri came out of retirement and although Tottenham had enough chances to take another step towards the knockout rounds, they couldn’t complain when Mats Hummels ended up at the end of one Competition in which neither team was in saved a point for Roma. The team showed great interest in defense.

Spurs, who slipped out of the top eight despite leading 2-1 at half-time thanks to Son Heung-min’s penalty and Brennan Johnson’s superb goal, were guilty of a lack of control. Ange Postecoglou’s substitutions did not make his team any better, although it still looked like Ranieri’s return to London was destined to despair when Fraser Forster made a stunning stop in the closing stages from Gianluca Mancini’s volley.

The 73-year-old Ranieri spent the second half bouncing around in his technical area and his team’s poor finishing left him exasperated. But Roma, still in danger of an early exit after six points from five games, pressed on and their spirits were reflected in the way Hummels recovered after conceding a penalty followed by a quick shot on his first appearance for the Italians The Spurs attack had to struggle.

No wonder Ranieri praised the 35-year-old German central defender for “fighting like a lion until the last second” after Hummels slotted Angeliño’s shot cross into the net to make it 2-2. “We should have killed it sooner,” Postecoglou said. “It’s disappointing, but we’re still in a good position.”

Given that Spurs were excellent in destroying Manchester City last weekend and downright stupid in their defeat to Ipswich in their last home game, it was impossible to know what Spurs would do against an opponent ranked in Serie A They are in 12th place and already have their third coach of the season.

But with Postecoglou only making four changes before Fulham’s visit on Sunday, clues soon emerged. A rapid attack led by Dejan Kulusevski tore Roma apart and although Glenn Nyberg fended off cries for a penalty when Hummels Pape cut out Matar Sarr, the referee changed his mind after checking the pitchside monitor.

After a penalty from Son, Roma turned the ball over to Paulo Dybala. The Argentine, no longer the next big thing but still extremely dangerous, missed a tempting chance and later tried to lob Forster from the halfway line. But when Angeliño fired a corner back towards the original taker, Ranieri perhaps wondered why he agreed to a third term as coach of his boyhood club.

Still, Dybala proved elusive – Forster had to thwart the striker – and Roma exerted control. Their 3-4-3 system caused problems for Spurs and the equalizer came in the 20th minute when the unmarked Evan Ndicka fired Dybala’s free kick into the far corner.

Now Roma, who were denied the lead when Stephan El Shaarawy’s goal was disallowed, got to feel some of the magic that Ranieri spread across Leicester. Dybala was ahead and would have scored a solo goal without Forster’s sharp reflexes.

The Spurs responded, Johnson’s shot was cleared off the line after poor goalkeeping from Mile Svilar. Then came Kulusevski, who ran a long ball down the left side and pulled Hummels out of the middle. Hummels couldn’t stop the Swede, who brought Johnson home with an emphatic finish.

The goal unsettled Roma. They should have been further behind at half-time, but Kulusevski hit the woodwork and Son fired the rebound over the goal.

Spurs could only be encouraged by Dybala making way for Matías Soulé at half-time. But Roma started the second half well, with Manu Koné dominating the midfield and twice the linesman had to raise his flag against Artem Dovbyk for offside to prevent the second equalizer.

Roma enjoyed their full-backs pushing higher. Zeki Celik crossed for Angeliño, whose deflected volley hit the crossbar. Spurs had to wake up and Pedro Porro hit the crossbar with a free kick.

The action remained open, Koné placed a shot just wide of the goal. In the 36-year-old goalkeeper’s first appearance, replacing Guglielmo Vicario, who is facing a long layoff after breaking his ankle, Roma lacked the accuracy needed to beat Forster.

Ranieri’s frustration grew. He wanted Rodrigo Bentancur sent off for a scythe on substitute Alexis Saelemaekers. Spurs almost turned the knife but Solanke headed against a post.

Then the nerves came out, Porro almost gave Dovbyk a goal, Forster was denied by Mancini. Spurs moved closer to victory. However, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven missing, their defense faltered and Hummels had the final say.