AS Roma 0-3 FC Porto
By Arjun Chadha
In the world of cinema, sequels are often a mixed bag. For every
Terminator 2: Judgement Day, there’s a Batman and Robin. For every Toy Story 2,
there’s a Jaws 2.
Porto and Roma don’t
do bad sequels.
The first leg did not
disappoint, with penalties, red cards, goal-line clearances, a disallowed goal,
and even a mass brawl at the finish. Whilst it is fair to say that the second
leg, much like a second instalment of a film series, did not surpass its predecessor,
there were still plenty of thrills and spills to ensure that the audience did
not leave with the feeling that their money should have been spent elsewhere
(with the exception of the home crowd).
Both sides were left
to share the spoils after a balanced contest at the Dragao in the first leg;
yet here it was Porto who were to triumph following a masterful and
accomplished away performance to send the Portuguese club into the Champions
League group stages and consign the Giallorossi into the Europa League.
The Romans were
abject from the start. Coach Luciano Spalletti had urged the players to ‘’not
show their nerves’ during the pre-match routines, yet from the onset, it was
manifest that his desires had not worked. A spate of errors and failings to
control the ball gave Porto control of possession early on. This possession
produced a free-kick from 20 yards after 8 minutes, which, after a sweet
delivery from playmaker Otavio, was met by a thundering header by defender
Felipe, giving Porto a 2-1 lead on aggregate.
Felipe gave Porto the lead with less than 8 minutes on the clock
The Brazilian
goal-scorer, newly signed from Corinthians, constructed a defensive masterclass
over the course of the match, taking command of the Porto back-line and
intercepting balls with ease. His performance was indicative of Porto’s
transformation from the first leg - scorer of an own-goal at the Dragao, yet
markedly less clunky and assured at the back.
If Porto were
competent and assured, Roma were the opposite. Two moments of madness by two
Roma defenders yielded two red cards, effectively ending the tie in two swift
brandishings by referee Szymon Marciniak. Daniele de Rossi lunged into a tackle
on Hector Herrera and was given his marching orders, whilst the man brought on
in a tactical change following the first red card, Emerson Palmieri, was to
follow, after scything into the unfortunate Herrera mere seconds into the
second half.
Roma received three red cards in the two-leg tie
The space left behind
following the cards was abused by winger Jesus Corona, who made advances
regularly down the right flank with no opposition. These attempts proved
fruitful in the 73rd minute, where fellow Mexican Miguel Layun, briefly of
Watford, was played through by Corona. In yet another moment of madness,
Wojciech Szczesny came rushing out of his area, arms flailing, upon which the
inevitable occurred - Layun rounded the Polish keeper and slotted the ball into
the net, before wheeling away in delight. Porto were two goals clear, and Roma
needed three goals to advance with two men down.
Mere minutes later,
Roma required four goals.
Yet again, huge
swathes of space was left clear, and Corona had only Kostas Manolas to beat.
Corona’s jinking run took him past the hapless Manolas, before the ball was
rifled into the top corner of the equally-as-hapless Szczesny’s goal.
Jeers rung out around
the Stadio Olimpico, the crowds streamed out, and literally nothing happened
for the next 15 minutes. There was to be no thrilling climax, no rousing
finale. However, for the Roma faithful, the damage had already been done.
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