Two own goals; two clear penalties not given…no doubt our errors and the referee helped a not so great FC Barcelona team last night. Yet again, AS Roma did not take its chances. That is the difference at this level. Harsh result. Pity for the second leg. However, this is Roma at the moment, with its own strenghts and limitations.
Before the game we emphasized the fact this was a dangerous ground to go to. Barcelona had deafeted Roma heavily a couple of years ago 6-1. Roma had previously got 7 from Manchester United and Bayern Munich. It was important not to let this happen again. For the morale and spirit of the team and fans altogether. And did not happen. On the contrary.
Roma started bright and gave hard time to Barcelona, unfortunately luck was not on our side. De Rossi first, Manolas after, two og, double gift to the Catalan side. Then, another one from Pique to seal an undeserved 3-0. Roma created several chances and could equalise just in the second half, but Perotti missed incredibly. Then, it was Strootman and Defrel to miss golden chances again, before Dzeko pulled one back.
The last 10 minutes saw a Roma side looking for the second but the inept Gonalons gives Suarez an easy chance to score the 4th. Roma naive, Barcelona don’t forgive. Harsh result, yes, but if you do not convert then you pay at this level.
The second leg looks a formality now. Roma need to win 3-0 to go through. Very, very unlikely but nothing is impossible in football. The important thing is that 70 thousand fans will pack the Stadio Olimpico, Roma must give everything to repay the fans’ loyalty and produce a good display to save the honour. But now we need to bounce back and beat Fiorentina on Saturday. Always Forza Roma!