Roma hope another comeback is possible
rome — After Roma scored two late goals in the 5-2 defeat against a Mohamed Salah-inspired Liverpool on Tuesday, the Italian club’s sporting director, Monchi, took a deep breath and summed up the hope they had given his side.
“We were dead, but we have found a little bit of life again,” he told reporters.
Goals from Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti, the latter via a penalty, in the final 10 minutes at Anfield gave the Italians something to cling to ahead of next week’s Champions League semifinal second leg in Rome.
Now Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have the chance to show that miracles do not only happen once, as they look to repeat their spectacular comeback against Barcelona in the quarterfinals.
Having lost 4-1 in the first leg against Lionel Messi and co, Roma triumphed 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to go through on away goals. A repeat scoreline, another “rimonta”, and Roma would be through to a first European Cup final since 1984.
“We have to try, for ourselves and for all those who love Roma,” said captain Daniele De Rossi on Tuesday.
“Against Barca, we were unlucky in the first leg, with little details going against us. Here we started well but then we really suffered against their pace.”
Liverpool’s attack of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino tore Roma apart, exposing Di Francesco’s decision to go with a three-man defence.
“Fortunately we got a reaction. That gives some meaning to the second leg,” Di Francesco said afterwards.
Salah and Firmino both scored twice for the Reds either side of a Mane strike as Liverpool found themselves 5-0 up after 69 minutes.
That trio has scored 88 goals between them this season, and the biggest problem facing Roma in next week’s return will be not conceding. —