Porto Vs Roma 1-1: Roma's Impressive Performance Decorated By Pepe And Mkhitaryan

JAKARTA - Roma's impressive performance against FC Porto in a friendly match was not accompanied by a win. This 1-1 result was even colored by a fight between Pepe and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

According to Football Italia, goalkeeper Rui Patricio made his Giallorossi debut in this match, and Lorenzo Pellegrini returned after injury. However, Alessandro Florenzi, Bryan Cristante and Jordan Veretout still cannot play.

The Portugal goalkeeper made an immediate impact, with a fantastic reaction save to deny Mehdi Taremi from the goal line with one hand.

Rui Patricio was back in fantastic form just before halftime, he tipped his finger to Otavio's header from a free-kick.

Roma were more effective after the break, Edin Dzeko picking up Mkhitaryan's nutmeg pass but sliding to the far post.

Amadou Diawara then fired his effort from distance which Diogo Costa had to keep out from under the bar. In Nicolò Zaniolo's corner, Gianluca Mancini finally gave Roma the lead with a header.

Gli highlights della partita di stasera #PortoRoma #ASRoma

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) July 28, 2021

The match turned into an ugly brawl in the 64th minute when Pepe hit Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Armenian reacted on the ground with a kick and suddenly both teams' substitutes were involved with the players on the pitch.

Here's the video of the late challenge from Pepe: pic.twitter.com/DbsuY3Svk1

— Rete This Way: A Calcio Podcast (@ReteThisWay) July 28, 2021

Mkhitaryan again had to be dragged back from facing the serial provocateur Pepe so he was wisely replaced.

Then Taremi's free header was just over the bar but in the 89th minute Porto equalized when Vitinha and Evanilson made quick passes on the edge of the box.

Because of the fight that happened earlier, the referee gave six minutes of injury time. Here, Taremi had a chance to give Porto the win, but his effort went wide from 15 yards.