Liverpool has hammered Roma with five goals in a Champions League semi-final thriller at Anfield. Though Roma managed to pull two away goals, can they repeat their quarter-final heroics in the second leg against Liverpool?
Roma, the destroyers of Barcelona, were overwhelmed and, undermined by the unstoppale force that is Liverpool. They are top scorers and the only unbeaten team left in the Champions League. It will be a near-impossible task to score three goals and prevent an away goal from Liverpool.
What Went Wrong For Roma?
Roma saw reasonable amounts of possession early on, having the ball 56 percent of the time in the first 25 minutes. However, it only served to provide the briefest illusion of containment, and everything came apart after that. When in possession, Roma was always hurried and pushed to the limit by Liverpool's pressing game. And each time Liverpool were able to gain possession of the ball. It was an invitation to tear apart Roma's defences.
Roma puzzlingly played a high defensive line coupled with no pressure on the ball. This was against a team with one of the most dangerous and pacy front three. Roma seemed determined to throw petrol on the fire. Kostas Manolas, the scorer of the winner over Barcelona, was too slow to close down Salah inside the penalty box. Salah took his opportunity and curled the ball into the top corner. But it was just the beginning as the goals kept coming. Liverpool managed seven shots on target in the first half. They are the only team besides Tottenham to do that in the Champions League this season and Spurs had the advantage of being at home against APOEL.
When Firmino made it five from a James Milner corner, Roma looked to have given up. But hope when Jurgen Klopp substituted his star player, the tides seemed to have shifted in Roma's favour. Dejan Lovren's mistake provided Edin Dzeko with the opportunity to pull one back. A harsh penalty call against Milner allowed Diego Perotti to add a second away goal. And this is why Roma's fairytale just might not be over. While Virgil van Dijk's arrival brought some measure of stability to Liverpool's defence, there are still weaknesses that can be exploited.
Despite the thrashing that Roma got, the two away goals gives Roma some measure of hope that they can perform another Champions League miracle by overturning the deficit. It is clear that Roma has to contain Liverpool and hit them on the counter through long balls to Edin Dzeko. They cannot afford to give Liverpool an away goal or the tie may very well be over.
What do you think? Will Roma's Champion's League fairytale continue or have we reached the final chapter? Let me know in the comments.
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