XtraTime Web Desk: AS Roma were defiant to their opponent Barcelona’s first leg dominance as they over turned a 4-1 deficit to beat Barcelona 3-0 at the Stadio Olympico, Rome. Thereby, progressing to the semi-finals of the most prestigious European club competition, UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona were firm favourites to win the tie. Hailing in with a 4-1 victory from Spain they were expected to increase the lead or at least win the match comfortably.
Underdogs Roma were determined to not be defeated easily and put up one of their greatest performances in recent years. Defeating Barcelona is never easy and coming down from a three-goal deficit is nearly impossible. Roma puled of a miracle and stunned every football enthusiast watching.
Roma started off their scoring spree by striker Edin Dzeko scoring a goal just after 7 mins to give the home team a one goal lead. The Catalans could not find a response and a Daniele de Rossi penalty just before the hour mark increased the home teams lead by one more goal. To top it off, there was the goal by Roma left back Kostas Manola, heflicked a header past Barcelona keeper Marc-André ter Stegen on the 82nd minute to take Roma through on away goals.
It was a wonderful spectacle for a neutral football fan with Roma having most of the support being an underdog to favourites Barcelona.
Their comeback was not at all expected and credits should be given to the whole Roma team who were exceptional and to the tactical genius of their manager Eusebio Di Francesco whose brains were vital to this comeback.