The Super Eagles vice-captain came off the bench to help his side gain a valuable point against AS Roma.
Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong put in an impressive shift as Salernitana played out an impressive 2-2 draw in their Serie A clash against AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening.
Ekong came off the bench to help Salernitana from losing after Nemanja Matic drew Roma level for the second time in the game.
How it happened
Roma came into the match on the back of a goalless draw with Bayer Leverkusen, sealing their progress in the Europa League final.
While the Europa League offered them a chance back into the Champions League, Roma were still within a chance of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition via the league.
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However, despite shading the early possession, they got off to a bad start as Antonio Candreva's deft finish from a brilliant ball from Lassana Coulibaly put Salernitana ahead.
Roma offered no response and were disappointing for most of the opening half, although Roger Ibanez had his goal chalked off following a VAR review.
Mourinho changes not enough
Roma manager Jose Mourinho made a host of changes at the break after seeing his side’s poor display in the opening half.
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The change did work as Stephan El Shaarawy restored parity after Guillermo Ochoa pushed Lorenzo Pellegrini’s freekick into his path.
It looked like Roma would go on to win it after El Sharaawy’s equaliser, but Salernitana had other ideas as Boulaye Dia restored their lead with a clever finish.
Roma applied pressure following Dia’s goal and they got their reward, as Nemanja Matic fired home from close range in the 83rd minute.
It was all Roma from that moment on, but despite waves of pressure, Mourinho’s men could not find the winner and had to settle for a point.
The result all but ended their hopes of finishing in the top four meaning, they now have to beat Sevilla in next Wednesday’s Europa League final if they want to play in the Champions League next season.
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