Playing their third UEL match of the campaign with a third different manager, Viktoria started impeccably under Martin Hysky and looked to take advantage of a complacent Roma defence.
Prince Kwabena Adu went close early on by volleying just wide at the near post, but he went one better on 20 minutes to stun the Olimpico crowd. Receiving it on the left-hand side, the Ghanaian fended off Jan Ziolkowski and breached the area, before calmly lifting over Mile Svilar and into the net.
Viktoria’s new boss was unable to contain his joy at overseeing a first goal in European competition as a coach, but his side weren’t keen to settle for just that.
Moments later, the ball fell in midfield to Cheick Souare, who brought it down and hit a thunderous left-footed strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.
Although Wesley called Martin Jedlicka into action later in the half, a combination of Roma’s lack of creativity in attack and some staunch defending from Viktoria preserved the Czech side’s two-goal lead into the break.
Gasperini would have been furious with his side in the dressing room, and they didn’t waste much of the second half in responding.
Referee Halil Umut Meler pointed to the spot after a VAR review determined that the ball hit the hand of Václav Jemelka from Matías Soulé’s header, and Paulo Dybala stepped up to confidently get his side back into the game.
Roma peppered the Viktoria goal with shots from there, but they struggled to break down the visitors’ staunch backline, spearheaded by the formidable Sampson Dweh.
Late efforts from substitutes Leon Bailey and Evan Ndicka weren’t enough for Roma to snatch an unlikely point, leading to an eruption of the away end on the final whistle.
It’s the perfect start to Hysky’s European career, and sees his side ascend comfortably into the top eight.
With just three points from three matches and a woeful home record in 2025/26, Roma may be forced to rely on away fixtures at both Rangers and Celtic in order to get their continental campaign back on track.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sampson Dweh (Viktoria Plzen)
