Former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Devis Vasquez made his UEFA Champions League debut for AS Roma in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old Colombian, who had a brief loan spell at Hillsborough, was thrust into action due to an injury to Roma's first-choice keeper Pierluigi Gollini.
Vasquez joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan from AC Milan for the 2023/24 Championship season. He started the club's first nine league games under then-manager Xisco Munoz, making 2.6 saves per game but conceding 1.8 goals per game on average. He was eventually replaced after Munoz's departure, with his loan ending in January 2024 when James Beadle arrived. Vasquez then moved to Ascoli in Serie B before spells at Empoli and Besiktas led to his current role at Roma.
A tough European night
Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico had expressed confidence in Vasquez playing the match, and the keeper was called upon after Gollini suffered a back injury. Facing a strong Manchester United side, Vasquez made two saves but conceded three goals from an expected goals total of 2.50. His most notable moment came in the second half when he saved a penalty from Bruno Fernandes. However, the spot-kick was ordered to be retaken due to encroachment by Roma's Bryan Cristante, and Fernandes scored from the second attempt to secure United's comeback win.
Wednesday's current situation
While Vasquez experiences European football, his former club is handling League One. Sheffield Wednesday currently sit ninth in the table with 20 points from 13 games, a record of five wins, five draws and three losses. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with the last five results reading two draws, two losses and a win. Their most recent outing was a 1-1 home draw with Blackpool last weekend, where Davis Keillor-Dunn opened the scoring.
The side is nine points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. Manager Dave Challinor is overseeing a goalkeeping department that includes Joe Lumley and Ashley Maynard-Brewer, with young prospect Pierce Charles also in the frame. The club's immediate focus is on their next fixtures, a home match against fifth-placed Plymouth Argyle on 14 November. That game presents an opportunity for Wednesday to improve their position in the standings as they aim for promotion.
Vasquez's journey from a Championship loanee to a Champions League debutant marks a significant career progression, contrasting with the ongoing rebuild at Hillsborough where the search for consistency continues.
First reported at The72
