Reaches new low SHAKHTAR’S FOREIGNERS TOO STRONG FOR VISITING ROMA

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KHARKIV,UKRAINE: Shakhtar Donetsk’s South American blend proved too strong for AS Roma as goals from Facundo Ferreyra and Fred gave them a 2-1 win in a Champions League tie played in freezing conditions on Wednesday.

The Serie A team appeared to be coasting in the round-of-16 first-leg tie when Cengiz Under put them ahead with his fifth goal in four games four minutes before half-time.

Yet as t he te mperature dipped to minus-nine degrees Celsius, Argentine striker Ferreyra took advantage of poor Roma defending to score with an expertly-taken goal in the 52nd minute.

That turned the game on its head and it was no surprise when midfielder Fred curled in a free kick off the underside of the crossbar to stun the visitors in the 71st minute.

“The team performed well in the second half,” said Shakhtar’s Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, whose side reached the knockout stage at the expense of Roma’s fellow Italians Napoli.

“It wasn’t easy to keep up that pace after a long winter break. The only reason we didn’t win by a bigger margin was a brilliant display from t he Roma keeper.”

Shakhtar, the first team to beat English Premier League ‘s runaway leaders Manchester City this season, began with six South American-born players in their lineup, though one of them, Marlos, now plays for Ukraine.

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco was furious at his team’s second-half display.

“We committed too many schoolboy errors from players who are very experienced,” he said. “My team lacks the ability to maintain momentum and perform when they get into difficulties.”