On-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku who has had previous spells in Serie A was on target for Roma in their first game of the UEFA Europa League against Sheriff Tiraspol.
The visitors emerge victorious with a 2-1 win over Sheriff Tirapsol at Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena on Thursday evening.
Roma were without their manager, Jose Mourinho, who was serving a four-match touchline ban for his outburst at Antony Taylor following their loss to Sevilla in the final last season.
Roma had the ball possession and they created chances that were far from conversion, but Sheriff came close to scoring, hitting the bar.
Roma took the lead through Gabi Kiki, who could only send a freekick from the middle ricocheting off his body and into his net.
Tovar drew Sheriff level in the 57th minute, firing home from inside the box after Roma failed to clear.
Mourinho, who was in the stands, made a triple substitution, bringing on Paulo Dybala, Edoardo Bove, and Leonardo Spinazzola.
In the 65th minute, Lukaku closed the deal for the visitors, and that killed the game for the hosts.
