Roma right to believe at Anfield

The Capital club have defied expectation in Europe and should be confident ahead of their semi-final against Liverpool, writes Nick Valerio.

The final four of this year’s Champions League reads: holders Real Madrid, German heavyweights Bayern Munich, English giants Liverpool and Roma.

While the first two clubs listed are expected to reach the latter stages of the tournament on a yearly basis, the Merseyside team and the Lupi are welcome surprises, and it won’t bother Roma that they are less favoured than their more esteemed rivals. Eusebio Di Francesco’s gladiators have been, and continue to be, underestimated, but have beaten the odds all year on the continent and thoroughly deserve their semi-final spot.

Unsurprisingly, the English press celebrated Liverpool’s pairing with Roma, already planning their participation in the May final, but the Lupi too would have been content with the draw, as the squads are evenly matched.

For all the talk of Liverpool’s dazzling frontline, the Giallorossi have stars of their own, and are stronger in at least two departments.

Highly rated Alisson Becker is a far superior stopper to Loris Karius, winning matches almost single-handedly for his side this term. In midfield, the legendary Daniele De Rossi will link up with the dynamic Kevin Strootman and heartbeat of the side Radja Nainngolan, a trio comfortably more talented than Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Meanwhile, Edin Dzeko is back to his best and his key role in the historic quarter-final triumph over Barcelona shouldn’t be forgotten. The solitary goal in the 4-1 defeat at Camp Nou proved invaluable. While the hosts have improved at the back since Virgil van Dijk’s £75m arrival, they are still suspect defensively and the red hot Bosnian will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet at a ground he fared so well on for previous club Manchester City.

Of course, much will depend on the resilience of Federico Fazio and Kostas Manolas, two wall-like figures in the Roma backline and Di Francesco’s approach to the contest will be key. The up and coming Italian tactician will have watched the Anfield demolition job of Pep Guardiola’s men and is too savvy not to tailor his game plan.

Ultimately, it was Guardiola’s stubbornness and refusal to adapt his tactics which cost his side the tie within just 45 minutes and Di Francesco is unlikely to go blow for blow and play in to Liverpool’s hands in the same manner.

Even if the Lupi were to lose by two clear goals, this deficit would not be insurmountable back in Italy. This is a Roma side who have played as well as any other club in the Champions League, topping group C ahead of much fancied Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, thrashing the English champions 3-0 on home soil. The achievements don’t end there.

Roma hit the headlines for systematically dismantling a Barcelona squad who have gone 33 games unbeaten domestically and, in truth, the 3-0 scoreline flattered the La Liga champions elect.

Vitally and perhaps more significantly, the Lupi have been in formidable form in the Eternal City, and have yet to concede at the Olimpico, and another shut out in the deciding leg could be enough to continue one of the feel good stories of the season.