AFP, Paris
Roma lined up a blockbuster Europa League semi-final clash with Manchester United on Thursday after holding Ajax to a 1-1 draw to go through to the last four 3-2 on aggregate.
United strolled into the semis 4-0 after a 2-0 win over La Liga outfit Granada to secure a tie with a team they have faced on some memorable Champions League nights.
Italy's only remaining representative in Europe came into the clash at the StadioOlimpico with a slender lead but two away goals from last week's first leg in Amsterdam.
Four-time European champions Ajax dominated from the off but in the opening period struggled to break Roma down despite monopolising possession.
However, that changed once teenager Brian Brobbey was introduced for Antony at the break.
The 19-year-old striker, who made his Eredivisie debut earlier this season, made an instant impact when he raced onto PerrSchuurs pass three minutes after the restart and nipped the ball past an onrushing Pau Lopez.
Dusan Tadic thought he had put Ajax ahead in the tie six minutes later only for his neat finish on the rebound from a Lopez save to be ruled out for a foul on Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the buildup.
And with Ajax looking like steamrolling their opponents Edin Dzeko tipped the tie in Roma's favour with 18 minutes remaining.
The Bosnian was on hand to tap home the leveller which put Roma back in the lead on aggregate after Riccardo Calafiori's low cross was deflected into his path.
With Ajax needing to score again to take the tie into extra-time the hosts were galvanised and managed to fend off Erik ten Hag's outfit, who will have to wait until next season for a shot at European glory.
Roma will be hoping to gain revenge on United for the 7-1 hammering at Old Trafford at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League in 2007.
