How Did Roma Beat Barcelona?

By Anna Duncan

On April 10, 2018, AS Roma pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals. The Italian side won the second leg of the tie 3-0 after losing 4-1 in the first leg at Camp Nou. This result sent shockwaves through the footballing world and left many wondering how Roma managed to beat one of Europe’s top teams.

Defensive Discipline

One of the main reasons why Roma was able to overcome Barcelona was their defensive discipline. The Italian side defended resolutely and prevented Barcelona from scoring any goals in the second leg. They were able to keep a clean sheet despite facing an attack that featured Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Philippe Coutinho.

Manolas’ Heroics

Greek center-back Kostas Manolas was especially impressive in this match. He scored the crucial third goal for Roma and put in a commanding defensive performance throughout the game. He made several key interceptions and clearances that helped his team keep Barcelona at bay.

Counter-Attacking Football

Roma also employed an effective counter-attacking strategy that caught Barcelona off guard. They were patient in possession and waited for opportunities to break forward quickly. This tactic worked to great effect as they scored two of their three goals on quick counter-attacks.

Dzeko’s Brilliance

Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko played a pivotal role in this regard. He scored the first goal for Roma with a well-placed shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He also provided the assist for Manolas’ goal with a clever flick-on header.

Mental Strength

Finally, Roma’s mental strength cannot be underestimated. After losing 4-1 in the first leg, many had written them off and assumed that Barcelona would progress easily to the next round. However, the Italian side refused to give up and showed tremendous resilience to come back and win the tie.

De Rossi’s Leadership

Captain Daniele De Rossi was a key figure in this regard. He provided leadership and motivation for his team throughout the match. He also scored from the penalty spot to give Roma an early lead and set the tone for what was to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Roma’s victory over Barcelona was a result of several factors. They defended well, attacked with pace and precision, and displayed immense mental strength.

Kostas Manolas, Edin Dzeko, and Daniele De Rossi were all instrumental in this famous win. It will go down as one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history and will be remembered for years to come.