It ended 2-0 tonight between Sporting Clube de Portugal and AS Roma at the Estadio José Alvalade.

The Giallorossi performed well in the first half, holding their own against the Portuguese outfit and nearly taking the lead through a long-range Francesco Totti effort that whistled past the post.

There was more bite to the match than your average friendly, with a number of strong challenges flying in. Indeed, Roma were reduced to ten men in stoppage time after Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was sent off.

Sporting scored both their goals in the second half. On 63 minutes, Slimani headed home a corner to give his side a 1-0 lead, while Mané doubled the advantage six minutes later as he stabbed home a Wojciech Szczesny rebound.

Szczesny, who came on at half-time, was making his Giallorossi debut and produced some decisive saves. In particular, he was impressive in rushing off his line to claim the ball from the onrushing Slimani’s feet while the scores were still level.

Rudi Garcia’s men will return to Rome tomorrow morning before getting straight back into training in the afternoon. The Giallorossi will be in Barcelona to take on the Blaugrana in the 50th edition of the Trofeo Gamper on August 5, before they travel south to meet Valencia in the Trofeo Naranja on August 8 and then welcome Sevilla to the Stadio Olimpico on August 14’s Opening Day.

Check out the best images from the match against Sporting in our gallery!

asroma.it