Gasperini: ‘Roma certainly improved as Europa League went on’

Gian Piero Gasperini feels Roma ‘certainly improved as we went on’ in the Europa League, but isn’t sure if he’d call them ‘among the favourites’ for the trophy.

It was the worst possible start to their match in Athens, as within 15 minutes Gianluca Mancini had been sent off for pulling back Milos Pantovic by the shoulder, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Panathinaikos took the lead when Vicente Taborda pounced on a Daniele Ghilardi misplaced header back towards his own goalkeeper...