Romelu Lukaku was shown a red card for a reckless lunge on Fiorentina's Michael Kouame as Roma were held to a 1-1 draw at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Lukaku scored opener against FiorentinaNicola Zalewski saw red before visitors equalisedRoma went down to nine late onGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Lukaku opened the scoring in the Serie A clash after just five minutes as he turned home a sublime Paulo Dybala cross, and Roma held onto their lead until just after the hour mark. The game turned when Nicola Zalewski picked up a second yellow card, with Fiorentina equalising moments later through Lucas Martinez Quarta. Jose Mourinho's side were reduced to nine men when Lukaku was shown a straight red card for a rash flying challenge on Kouame in the 87th minute, and Roma eventually had to settle for a point, with Fiorentina also seeing Nikola Milenkovic sent off in the final seconds of the bad-tempered encounter.
AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Lukaku is usually able to keep his emotions in check on the pitch, but the Chelsea loanee could have no complaints when the referee pulled out a red card after his challenge on Kouame. It was the first time the Belgian has been sent off in 388 appearances across Europe's top five leagues, per , and he will now serve a three-match suspension.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ROMA?
Roma moved into fourth place in the Serie A standings despite dropping two points at home, but the Scudetto is now almost certainly out of reach as they sit 13 points behind leaders Inter Milan. It remains to be seen how Mourinho's side will perform without their top scorer Lukaku now, too, with crucial games against Bologna, Napoli and Juventus to come before the end of the year.