By Arjun Chadha
In a match billed as
the standout fixture of the UEFA Champions League play-off round, Porto and
Roma did not disappoint. At a packed Estadio do Dragao, the two sides
entertained in a humdinger of a match, which had everything - penalties, red
cards, goal-line clearances, a disallowed goal, and even a mass brawl at the
finish.
The match kicked off
in blistering fashion, with Roma winning several set-pieces early on and
applying sustained pressure. A lob over Casillas by Salah was only just cleared
off the line by Felipe, and mere minutes later the former Chelsea player
squirted an effort inches to the right of Casillas’ post.
The early Roma
efforts were epitomised by a series of shots upon Casillas’ goal - that the
shots were fumbled by the former Real Madrid goalkeeper only served to
highlight his decline. A routine collection of the ball was mishandled, Dzeko
nicked the ball, and toepoked his shot just wide of the goal. Mere minutes
later, Casillas almost let Roma in again; a standard punch was directed
straight to Edin Dzeko, whose header fell in the path of Mohammed Salah. The
subsequent shot was blocked by an inspirational use of the feet by Casillas,
whilst the rebound was again punched away unconvincingly following a shot by
Kevin Strootman.
Roma were not left to
bemoan these spurned chances. In the 22nd minute, Felipe attempted to clear a
Salah corner, but his shinned effort trickled past the hapless Casillas.
Casillas was evidently furious, yet to all those watching, it was evident that
the goal had been coming.
Roma celebrate taking a deserved lead
Roma had taken a justified lead, but were to suffer a blow when Thomas Vermaelen, signed on loan from Barcelona and making his debut for the Giallorossi, was handed a second yellow card for hacking Otavio on the edge of the box.
The Belgian's red card was not well recieved by the Roma players
Diego Perotti became the sacrificial lamb for Roma, as Luciano Spalletti brought on the bustling Brazilian defender Emerson Palmieri in an attempt to shore up his side’s defence.
The action did not
diminish in the first portion of the second half. Porto dominated the second
half, winning 5 corners and creating many chances.
The drama started
early on, in the 50th minute. Out of nothing, Porto had a goal back - Adrian
Lopez, formerly of Atletico Madrid, rifled in a shot past Alisson from what
seemed to be an offside position. However, after several minutes of
consultation with the assistant, referee Bjorn Kuipers determined that there
was to be no goal. A minor scuffle ensued, with the disallowed goal paving the
way for a more open game.
On the hour mark, a
handball by the substitute Emerson Palmieri was enough for Kuipers to award
Porto a penalty. The subsequent spot-kick was fired into the top corner by the
promising Andre Silva, a top prospect at just 20 years old. From then on, Roma,
one man down, completely failed to hold possession, and an onslaught of Porto
dominance nullified any hopes Roma had had of escaping the Dragao with a win.
Silva slotted the penalty home for a much-needed Porto equaliser
The match appeared to be fizzling out in the final quarter of the second half, yet a brief attack by Roma in the dying seconds culminated in a mass brawl between the sides, with tensions running high. In the end, both teams will be satisfied with the draw, which will set up a tense second leg tie next Tuesday.
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