Without Mkhitaryan, Smalling, Karsdorp and all the other long-term patients. To which are added the usual muscle injuries that have gripped us for the last century during matches. Spinazzola went like a train last night, then surrendered. Calafiori inside. We all feared the worst. An almost announced collapse that was slowly materializing. The Diawara-Mancini mess says it all.
In short, here is the usual Roma that goes into confusion after a negative episode. Then the turning point you don’t expect. Pau Lopez. Joy and sorrows. A mix between Yashin and Goicoechea. The one that was taken because he was strong with his feet but which is perhaps a little better between the posts.
After a few too many uncertainties here is the spell on Tadic. He doesn’t move. He stays there pointing and rejects with his fists the penalty of the turning point. The team takes courage. Then the turn in reverse. Their goalkeeper does worse and gift us the draw. Pau instead starts his show again, between improvised rescues and instinctive saves.
Then the apotheosis a few minutes from the end. Roger’s bomb. Chest stop and missile that fills the net. A masterpiece mix between Falcao and Agostino. Who thanks from up there. Rome explodes with joy. A little luck every now and then also passes through here. But that’s not all. Far from it. On the way back it will be a bedlam. A perfect Roma will be needed and Fonseca knows it well. Meanwhile, we are there. Manchester too. Ad Maiora.