GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Roma put themselves in a very healthy position in Group G of the Champions League on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow. There was room for improvement in the performance, but all in all, it was an important marker, as Roma won away in the competition for the first time since September last year, when they beat Qarabag by the same scoreline. Goal one: Kostas Manolas (1-0) A man who continues to be one of Roma's most influential players, the Greek defender gave his side the lead in the fourth minute. Roma won a corner, which Lorenzo Pellegrini swung in. Manolas rose amid a sea of defenders, heading towards goal. Igor Akinfeev flapped at it, with the ball going over the Russian keeper and into the net. Manolas timed his jump perfectly to get a clean header away. Using an opponent for leverage, he was strong as he rose into the air. He used the side of his forehead to aim the ball at the goal, and although it wasn't his most powerful connection, Akinfeev's mistimed attempt at punching the ball away led to it dropping into the goal. Goal two: Arnor Sigurdsson (1-1) There was also an early goal in the second half, with Arnor Sigurdsson scoring his first CSKA goal. A CSKA player ran down the right wing, driving inside before passing to Sigurdsson. Davide Santon tried to put in a challenge, but he was just off balance, allowing Sigurdsson to break past him. The attacker held off further pressure from the Roma full-back to finish into the far corner, beyond the reach of Robin Olsen. Goal three: Lorenzo Pellegrini (2-1) Roma's winner came in rather fortunate circumstances. Bryan Cristante miscontrolled Aleksandar Kolarov's pass infield, and as the ball popped up in front of him, the midfielder then mistimed his attempt at a volley. However, after a deflection, it landed at the feet of Pellegrini. The Italian's touch took it behind him, but instead of reacting poorly, Pellegrini quickly recovered his footing and slotted home at the nearpost. Having beat the offside trap, Roma's number seven backed himself on his weaker foot, and his confidence played into Roma's hands, securing a result which put them in the driving seat for knockout stage qualification.
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samuel bannister
Founder and editor of Giallorossi Yorkshire, who is also a columnist for Roma's official website about the women's team. Categories
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October 2019
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