Pitch-perfect Roma
It was improbable, unthinkable and ultimately unforgettable, as Giancarlo Rinaldi joined all Italian football fans cheering Roma's triumph over Barcelona
He who lives by the comeback, shall die by the comeback. If there was a Champions League tie that nobody would have predicted could be overturned, then this was probably it. But, by the end of the night, few could deny that it was Roma who deserved their place in the semi-finals.
This was a game first and foremost for fans of the Giallorossi to savour. A packed crowd at the Stadio Olimpico will be telling their grandchildren about this over a plate of pasta carbonara for decades to come. Eusebio Di Francesco will surely never have to pay for another drink in the Italian capital.
It was the attitude that his team got right from the start, while the visitors were entirely off key. How many times have we sat and lamented a Serie A side showing a lack of initiative and enterprise when they had qualification in their grasp? This time around it was the Blaugrana who hesitated, time-wasted and generally dithered until the tide had turned against them. The home team was astute, attacking and aggressive for the majority of the match. An improbable 3-0 victory was achieved entirely on merit.
This was a night of heroes where every individual produced a pitch perfect performance. Their Coach should be lauded for his tactical and psychological work. Edin Dzeko was impossible for the visiting defence to handle and Daniele De Rossi was a Roman wolf prowling the midfield before sinking his teeth into a crucial penalty.
Then Kostas Manolas - a tower in defence all night - powered home the goal that put them through. But every single player, no matter how few minutes they played, brought their A-Game.
There was a message in here, too, for other Italian sides. Perhaps this was not Barcelona in top form but, nonetheless, the side sitting a distant fourth in Serie A took down a team winning La Liga at a canter and among the favourites to win the Champions League.
This match showed that exceptional results can be achieved despite having vastly inferior spending power to your rivals. Somebody should be bottling the spirit of this game and distributing it around the length and breadth of the Peninsula. A few splashes in the Juventus dressing room ahead of their clash with Real Madrid would do no harm either.
One win, of course, does not change the world, but it should help lift the gloom that last week’s results dumped on Italy for a while. The Giallorossi are through to the last four in the Champions League and their city cousins have a shot at reaching the same stage of the Europa League. It might be asking too much for the Bianconeri to produce a similar comeback in Spain, but at least we don’t need to feel entirely weighed down by our inferiority complex. We’ve had better times, for sure, but it’s not the worst of times either.
I hope the good bureaucrats of Rome were watching, too, and grant permission for a new stadium sooner rather than later. It is the kind of project that Calcio desperately needs to go ahead if it hopes to compete properly and regularly with the rest of Europe. Only a very brave man - or perhaps a die-hard Laziale - could deny them their ambitions now.
All in all, this was a night when it was simply a pleasure to follow and write about Italian football. It has gone through some bad times of late between club side setbacks and the failings of the national team. This momentous victory - the likes of which has rarely been seen before - should serve as a tonic for everyone who holds Serie A dear. There will no doubt be other knocks and defeats ahead, but the mellow glow of this win can tide us through for a while. And, if other teams follow the Giallorossi’s example, there might be a few more breathtaking nights like this to come.
Antonello Venditti’s song never seemed more appropriate. Grazie Roma.
AS Roma defeated Barcelona 3-0 to complete one of the biggest UEFA Champions League comebacks in history and advance to the competition's semi-finals for the first time in the club's history.
The Blaugrana brought a 4-1 lead to their second leg in Rome, but Edin Dzeko and Daniele De Rossi scored either side of half-time to reduce Roma's deficit before Kostas Manolas' 82nd-minute header sealed an away-goals win.
The 4-4 draw means Roma are set to make their maiden appearance in the Champions League semi-finals; their last visit to the last four in the top continental competition was when they finished European Cup runners-up to Liverpool in 1984.
Here are some of the top talking points from Tuesday's comeback:
Relentless Roma
Dzeko's poke, De Rossi's penalty and a late Manolas header ultimately decided Tuesday's second leg, but there was hardly a moment where Eusebio Di Francesco's men didn't look ferocious in their undertaking.
Barcelona's midfield was almost missing with a spine of Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic, and BT Sport hailed this as a revival of immensely rare proportions:
As aforementioned, the Giallorossi last made it to the last four in the 1983-84 European Cup. With Liverpool advancing past Manchester City in Tuesday's other quarter-final, football writer Kristan Heneage noted a possible case of deja vu:
Kristan Heneage@KHeneage
As BT Sport also just pointed out, Roma reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1984. That year they lost the final too, you guessed it, Liverpool.
While the Serie A title race may not be quite as close as Roma wish it were—they're currently 21 points off leaders Juventus—Roma can take pride in ousting Barca from the running and look to this display as the cornerstone of bigger things to come.
Barca Broken
For a team that came into Tuesday's Rome clash with only one defeat to their name this season, Barcelona looked timid and surprisingly flustered by the suffocating tactics of opposition manager Di Francesco.
The Blaugrana had conceded only twice in their eight previous European outings this season, and a frail first half in particular saw Ernesto Valverde's side welcome punishment too close to home, per OptaJose:
10 - Barcelona conceded 10 shots against Roma, more than in any other first half of Champions League game this season. Correction.
If Barcelona looked frazzled after Dzeko's first, the Catalan outfit seemed to be knocked even further off pace when De Rossi converted a penalty in the 58th minute, per the BBC's John Bennett:
Barcelona look spent... No energy at all. Roma all over them. One goal needed for the Italians. #UCL
Valverde's side didn't deserve to go through based on what was seen over two legs, relying on two own goals at the Camp Nou before failing to impose themselves at all in Rome during the second leg.
With a European and domestic treble no longer attainable, this result serves as a wake-up call for Barcelona, while the rest of Europe would be wise to pay attention to the power simmering at the Stadio Olimpico.
Dzeko Masterclass
For those who thought Dzeko's 2016 departure to Roma from Manchester City was an admission of him taking his talents to a lesser level, see Tuesday's display as evidence as to why he remains one of the best strikers in world football.
With 19 goals to his name this season before the Stadio Olimpico clash, the Bosnia and Herzegovina striker added to his impressive European record with a crucial breakthrough in the Italian capital:
Dzeko got the better of Jordi Alba and Samuel Umtiti to streak on to a floated ball and send Tuesday's opener past Marc-Andre ter-Stegen, in the process entering himself into Roma history books, per Sky Sports Statto:
Only Francesco Totti has scored more @ChampionsLeague goals for @OfficialASRoma than Edin Dzeko.
17 - @Totti
8 - @EdDzeko
8 - @MirkoVucinic
Player ratings: Roma 3-0 Barcelona
As Roma completed one of the all-time great Champions League comebacks, Football Italia rates the efforts of the Giallorossi heroes.
Words: Tom Scholes
Alisson - 7
The best goalkeeper in the world, without doubt. He may not have been as tested as he was last week but he provided a really calm and collected presence behind a simply outstanding defensive unit.
Kostas Manolas - 8
The match winner and someone who was a warrior from start to finish in the heart of the Roma backline. He threw himself in front of every shot, blocked any possible route for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to get through and was simply sensational. It was all topped off with his clever front post headed flick to win the tie for Roma, sparking emotional scenes in the stands and in the dugout.
Federico Fazio - 7
Much like Manolas, Fazio was brilliant at blocking off runs and intercepting passes and really nullified any potential threat from Barcelona. He may have picked up a booking but Fazio did extremely well to keep his composure and not be lulled into another yellow card, despite the fact many would argue he should have received a red in the second 45.
Juan Jesus - 7
Another defender who was booked on the stroke of half time, Jesus was extremely well-drilled and looked comfortable in the defensive unit. Manolas, Fazio and Juan Jesus were superb from start to finish tonight and it’s difficult to rate them individually because they played so well as a team.
Alessandro Florenzi - 7
The energy that Florenzi provides on the flank for Roma is often underrated, or at least occasionally overlooked, but the guy never stops whether its in an attacking sense or even a defensive one. His versatility and ability to combine the two is well balanced and perfect for games like this when he needed to add to the attack and get back to track his man.
Radja Nainggolan - 7
Just like the defence, the midfield trio worked well in tandem and got their balance perfectly spot on. Nainggolan is usually the one that grabs the attention and it’s arguable that tonight he was the one who was able to take a rest in a sense. He was taken off for El Shaarawy in the second half and Roma didn’t look a step out of place, but when the Belgian was on the pitch his energy and pressing harassed the opposition.
Daniele De Rossi - 8
The captain, the leader, the legend. When Daniele De Rossi stepped up to take that penalty, his heart must have been racing; but with the determination, spirit and pure adrenaline of the situation he tucked his penalty away with ease. Aside from the goal, he was a true leader in the centre of the pitch and showed why he’s more than capable of being the elder statesman the middle, leading by example.
Kevin Strootman - 7
In the first half I was preparing to discuss how once again Roma were denied another penalty when they should have been given one, when Nelson Semedo brought down Strootman in the box. The penalty incident didn’t faze Strootman or Roma and he put in a controlled, calm and commanding performance. As with the defence, every member of this side was superb in their collective groups, with Strootman, Nainggolan and De Rossi being no different
Aleksandar Kolarov - 8
What a signing this man has been! His ability to go forward with power and still a surprising amount of pace and coupled with his outstanding crossing ability and you’ve got one heck of a player. Like De Rossi, he showed his experience and leadership throughout the game and was brilliant for most of the match, pinpointing when to attack while Roma had the ball and when to drop back into defence when Barcelona had a sustained period of possession.
Edin Dzeko - 9
The Man of the Match on the night for his goal (obviously) but also for his all-round play. He doesn’t look like a traditional target man but his hold up play was so vital in the way that Roma set-up - which was shown to it’s full potential for the penalty - and his habit of playing the ball off to a teammate and getting into the box was outstanding.
While his goal is the obvious highlight, it was still a very hard finish to convert with his body almost off balance and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen baring down on him.
Patrik Schick - 7
It appears that if you play Patrik Schick in his favoured position he can be quite a good player! He worked very well up top with Dzeko and was very impressive before being taken off for Cenzig Under in the second half.
A wonderful young player, Under proved to be the perfect crosser for the winner to Manolas and will be one to watch in the semi finals, regardless of who Roma draw.
Stephan El Shaarawy - N/A
Thrown on just before the crucial third
Words: Tom Scholes
Alisson - 7
The best goalkeeper in the world, without doubt. He may not have been as tested as he was last week but he provided a really calm and collected presence behind a simply outstanding defensive unit.
Kostas Manolas - 8
The match winner and someone who was a warrior from start to finish in the heart of the Roma backline. He threw himself in front of every shot, blocked any possible route for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to get through and was simply sensational. It was all topped off with his clever front post headed flick to win the tie for Roma, sparking emotional scenes in the stands and in the dugout.
Federico Fazio - 7
Much like Manolas, Fazio was brilliant at blocking off runs and intercepting passes and really nullified any potential threat from Barcelona. He may have picked up a booking but Fazio did extremely well to keep his composure and not be lulled into another yellow card, despite the fact many would argue he should have received a red in the second 45.
Juan Jesus - 7
Another defender who was booked on the stroke of half time, Jesus was extremely well-drilled and looked comfortable in the defensive unit. Manolas, Fazio and Juan Jesus were superb from start to finish tonight and it’s difficult to rate them individually because they played so well as a team.
Alessandro Florenzi - 7
The energy that Florenzi provides on the flank for Roma is often underrated, or at least occasionally overlooked, but the guy never stops whether its in an attacking sense or even a defensive one. His versatility and ability to combine the two is well balanced and perfect for games like this when he needed to add to the attack and get back to track his man.
Radja Nainggolan - 7
Just like the defence, the midfield trio worked well in tandem and got their balance perfectly spot on. Nainggolan is usually the one that grabs the attention and it’s arguable that tonight he was the one who was able to take a rest in a sense. He was taken off for El Shaarawy in the second half and Roma didn’t look a step out of place, but when the Belgian was on the pitch his energy and pressing harassed the opposition.
Daniele De Rossi - 8
The captain, the leader, the legend. When Daniele De Rossi stepped up to take that penalty, his heart must have been racing; but with the determination, spirit and pure adrenaline of the situation he tucked his penalty away with ease. Aside from the goal, he was a true leader in the centre of the pitch and showed why he’s more than capable of being the elder statesman the middle, leading by example.
Kevin Strootman - 7
In the first half I was preparing to discuss how once again Roma were denied another penalty when they should have been given one, when Nelson Semedo brought down Strootman in the box. The penalty incident didn’t faze Strootman or Roma and he put in a controlled, calm and commanding performance. As with the defence, every member of this side was superb in their collective groups, with Strootman, Nainggolan and De Rossi being no different
Aleksandar Kolarov - 8
What a signing this man has been! His ability to go forward with power and still a surprising amount of pace and coupled with his outstanding crossing ability and you’ve got one heck of a player. Like De Rossi, he showed his experience and leadership throughout the game and was brilliant for most of the match, pinpointing when to attack while Roma had the ball and when to drop back into defence when Barcelona had a sustained period of possession.
Edin Dzeko - 9
The Man of the Match on the night for his goal (obviously) but also for his all-round play. He doesn’t look like a traditional target man but his hold up play was so vital in the way that Roma set-up - which was shown to it’s full potential for the penalty - and his habit of playing the ball off to a teammate and getting into the box was outstanding.
While his goal is the obvious highlight, it was still a very hard finish to convert with his body almost off balance and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen baring down on him.
Patrik Schick - 7
It appears that if you play Patrik Schick in his favoured position he can be quite a good player! He worked very well up top with Dzeko and was very impressive before being taken off for Cenzig Under in the second half.
Subs:
Cengiz Under - 7A wonderful young player, Under proved to be the perfect crosser for the winner to Manolas and will be one to watch in the semi finals, regardless of who Roma draw.
Stephan El Shaarawy - N/A
Thrown on just before the crucial third
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