Super Roma

Giallorossi · Post by **Giallorossi** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:19 am

Lyon 0 - 2 Roma (0-2 on agg)
Totti 22 (R), Mancini 44 (R)
Stade de Gerland

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Roma overturned all predictions to eliminate Olympique Lyon with a 2-0 victory in France thanks to Francesco Totti and an Amantino Mancini stunner. The Giallorossi also had a perfectly good goal disallowed and Fred denied a red card for elbowing Cristian Chivu on their way to the Champions League quarter-finals.

The tie was wide open following the goalless first leg draw at the Stadio Olimpico, although Lyon were clear favourites going in, particularly after Roma's shaky recent form in Serie A. Flu-ridden Christian Panucci was in the stands along with the cup-tied Francesco Tavano, but for the rest it was a full-strength squad at Luciano Spalletti's disposal.

Francesco Totti's long-range strike was charged down and Alexander Doni beat away a Juninho Pernambucano missile in the early stages.

Roma hit the back of the net after six minutes, but it was disallowed for a very debatable Totti push. Understandably the Giallorossi were furious with Spanish referee Mejuto Gonzalez. Totti had touched on a corner for Daniele De Rossi to turn in, but the decision mystified Luciano Spalletti's side.

It was a very open game and Doni parried a Squillaci header from Juninho's free kick and there was controversy on both sides in the same incident, as Cris appeared to elbow Marco Cassetti as he was tugging the Lyon man's shirt in the penalty area.

Sidney Govou's header from another Juninho set-piece was inches off target, but Roma did get their valid goal eventually. Cristian Chivu sent Max Tonetto running down the left and his cross found Totti totally unmarked for a diving header, as Cris was out of position. It was a precious away goal that silenced the Stade de Gerland.

Lyon fought back with Tiago nodding Juninho's cross over and Doni bravely scrambled the ball off Fred's feet from the dangerous Malouda's assist.

The officials again infuriated Roma when Simone Perrotta was halted in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper for an incorrect offside flag on 34 minutes.

Govou's header skimmed the far post, then Fred had a shot deflected just wide by De Rossi and from the resulting corner a chaotic set of ricochets eventually fell straight into Doni's grateful arms.

Just before the break the Giallorossi took advantage of the extra space to score a magnificent goal and double their lead. Totti's intelligent first-time cross-field pass found Mancini and the Brazilian represented his nation with a Ronaldinho impersonation. After four stepovers, he drove Squillaci crazy and fired a powerful strike under the bar at the near post.

Gerard Houllier needed to go for it and threw on Kim Kallstrom and Sylvain Wiltord for Govou and Aliou Diarra, playing a 4-1-4-1. Within five minutes Doni had to rush out and bravely charge down Wiltord's shot and performed a splendid one-handed save on Juninho's missile, as Lyon were pouring forward in waves.

Roma had penalty appeals for a challenge on Perrotta after Taddei had dispossessed Abidal, while Totti and Juninho fired free kicks over. Fred tried to earn a penalty in the area and was ignored, but Doni was again called for a spectacular one-handed flying save to tip Kallstrom's deflected shot out from under the bar.

Kallstrom's swinging cross-shot almost got a decisive toe-poke off Malouda from five yards and whistled past the far post.

But Roma are anything but dull and Taddei nutmegged Abidal with an audacious turn at the byline, his trademark 'Aurellio' move already seen in the Champions League at Olympiakos.

Houllier made his final roll of the dice with striker Benzema for defender Reveillere. However, Lyon should probably have been reduced to 10 men on 74 minutes, as Totti and Mancini duetted wonderfully on the counter-attack until Cris - who had already been booked - brought down the captain in a cynical challenge.

Benzema's powerful angled drive shaved the far post, but there was more controversy as referee Mejuto Gonzalez did not spot Fred's elbow on Cristian Chivu that left him bleeding heavily from his nose. Perrotta nearly made it 3-0 on the break in stoppages, but there was one blight, as David Pizarro was booked and will be suspended for the first leg.

Juventino · Post by **Juventino** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:20 am

Brilliant goal from Mancini.

Giallorossi · Post by **Giallorossi** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:21 am

That will hopefully shut up some of the critics! What a performance to win where nobody has won in teh past 5 seasons!
Great header by Totti! and great ball by Totti to set up the second goal for mancini!
Mancini's goal was something special...i just feel sorry for the defender who was made to look like an amateur!

Forza ROMA!!!! Lets hope they go on with the job!

Le King · Post by **Le King** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:59 am

juventino_4_ever wrote:Brilliant goal from Mancini.

20 stepovas can fool any defender

Lilly Whites · Post by **Lilly Whites** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:04 am

With Inter Out Do Roma Carry Italys Chances...How Do We Rate Ac Milans Chances?

Caramelas13 · Post by **Caramelas13** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:06 am

If they beat Celtic then it will give more time for players like Cafu, Nesta, Serghino to get back to full fitness. Milan have been getting the results lately without being convincing which can be a good thing.

Juventino · Post by **Juventino** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:07 am

MUFCBOY wrote:
juventino_4_ever wrote:Brilliant goal from Mancini.
20 stepovas can fool any defender

Not just the lead up, the finish gave Coupet no chance.

P. Diddy · Post by **P. Diddy** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:19 am

Forza Roma! Lyon were my dark-horse for the title, everytime I'd seen them play this year, they looked brilliant.

Owusu_1 · Post by **Owusu_1** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 2:03 pm

Forza Roma, what a great morning it has been both Liverpool and Roma go through to the next stage.

With Roma i just feel something is going to happen. I think they can go all the way......imagine a Liverpool/Roma final. Holy Moly

ruud · Post by **ruud** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 2:21 pm

just watched the replay

mancini is a shiraz gun!

getborn · Post by **getborn** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:32 pm

roma sentimental favourites for me.

Giallorossi · Post by **Giallorossi** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:47 pm

Romerpoolaide Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 1:03 pm Post subject:

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Forza Roma, what a great morning it has been both Liverpool and Roma go through to the next stage.

With Roma i just feel something is going to happen. I think they can go all the way......imagine a Liverpool/Roma final. Holy Moly

Lets hope Roma make the final and win it!!!! I think ROMA will play milan in the round of 16 and beat them 3-1 overall
A ROMA v liverpool UCL final is scheduled for next year when the final is at the stadio olimpico with ROMA to get revenge!

Caramelas13 · Post by **Caramelas13** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:06 pm

on the ball Posted: 07 Mar 2007 14:47 Post subject:

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Lets hope Roma make the final and win it!!!! I think ROMA will play milan in the round of 16 and beat them 3-1 overall
A ROMA v liverpool UCL final is scheduled for next year when the final is at the stadio olimpico with ROMA to get revenge!

Your Crystal ball is fogging up.

Giallorossi · Post by **Giallorossi** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:10 pm

caramelas13 Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject:

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Quote:
on the ball Posted: 07 Mar 2007 14:47 Post subject:

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Lets hope Roma make the final and win it!!!! I think ROMA will play milan in the round of 16 and beat them 3-1 overall
A ROMA v liverpool UCL final is scheduled for next year when the final is at the stadio olimpico with ROMA to get revenge!

Your Crystal ball is fogging up.

Knew you would like my cyrstal ball predictions especially with the 2 cabernet teams ROMA are set to beat...

delfino_1936 · Post by **delfino_1936** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:26 pm

great stuff by Roma....i dont think lftwng would be happy

Caramelas13 · Post by **Caramelas13** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:32 pm

on the ball Posted: 07 Mar 2007 15:10 Post subject:

Knew you would like my cyrstal ball predictions especially with the 2 cabernet teams ROMA are set to beat...

These 2 cabernet teams wouldn't have 11 European Cups between them would they???

El Pibe D'Oro · Post by **El Pibe D'Oro** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:26 pm

caramelas13 wrote:
on the ball Posted: 07 Mar 2007 15:10 Post subject:

Knew you would like my cyrstal ball predictions especially with the 2 cabernet teams ROMA are set to beat...
These 2 cabernet teams wouldn't have 11 European Cups between them would they???

shiraz Roma were 30 odd to 1 before yesterday!!

The one and only · Post by **The one and only** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:38 pm

great goal by mancini and great result for roma to go to lyon and win 2-0 excellent stuff

Lilly Whites · Post by **Lilly Whites** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:33 pm

Romerpoolaide wrote:Forza Roma, what a great morning it has been both Liverpool and Roma go through to the next stage.

With Roma i just feel something is going to happen. I think they can go all the way......imagine a Liverpool/Roma final. Holy Moly

i know wat u mean mate..... i am quite fond of 'pool, and to see roma go through was just fantastic....mancini...wat can u say? speachless