A Gervinho goal has given Roma a 1-0 lead against Feyenoord in this evening's Europa League round-of-32 first-leg clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

The visitors were first to threaten as Luke Wilkshire lashed a cross into the Giallorossi box, but Colin Kazim-Richards's header was skied high above goal.

However, the hosts came surging back with dangerous efforts from Gervinho and Daniele Verde, as the evergreen Francesco Totti pulled the strings in midfield.

In the 20th minute, Roma duly got themselves in front, Vasilis Torosidis sending a low cut-back into the Feyenoord goal, where the veteran Ivory Coast striker was at hand to back-heel the ball into the net.

Fred Rutten's charges came back strongly after going a goal down, with Karim El Ehmadi and Lex Immers coming close, but they were unable to get themselves onto the scoresheet by the end of the first half.