On Sunday evening, Roma were heading towards only a second defeat under new manager Daniele De Rossi – with Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente struggling, until he slammed in an equaliser.
De Rossi has impressed as manager. Taking over from Jose Mourinho in January, he has since been in charge for 11 games – recording seven wins and only one defeat, a well-spirited 4-2 loss to Inter Milan.
Llorente had been recalled to the starting XI after missing the last two league games – and he failed to produce his best form as Fiorentina closed in on three points. An exciting game full of twists and turns.
Luca Ranieri gave La Viola the lead, but Houssem Aouar equalised. That lead restored by midfielder Rolando Mandragora on 69 minutes, before Cristian Biraghi missed a Fiorentina penalty on 80 minutes.
Then, with 95 minutes on the clock, it was Llorente who slammed home a stunning strike into the top corner – his first Roma goal – to draw 2-2. Voce Giallorossa gave him 7.5, summing up his performance.
“Among the worst on the pitch until, with time almost up, he finds a crazy goal that makes the applause peel one’s hands. A sort of van Basten in Spanish style and an unexpected draw arrives,” they reported.
Leeds loanee Diego Llorente goes from zero to hero for Roma
A gorgeous goal, as seen above. Llorente has been a consistent part of Roma’s side this season, playing 32 times in all competitions. He now has 44 games for Roma, having joined them back in January 2023.
His long-term future remains unconfirmed. It is widely expected he will join Roma permanently come the end of the season. That deal could be announced sooner rather than later, between Leeds and Roma.
But with PSG linked in January, it might be that Roma sign him for a £4m fee and then look to offload him for a bigger price – in order to raise transfer funds of their own. One to watch, ahead of the summer.
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