AS Roma’s 4-1 comeback in opposition to Barcelona within the 2018 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals will dwell on in soccer historical past endlessly. Nevertheless, so far as surprising and considerably fortunate turns of occasions, the I Giallorossi has much more to supply.
With that mentioned, let’s check out probably the most surprising victories in AS Roma historical past. And, in fact, we’re beginning with the legendary Barca sport.
Roma vs. Barcelona: Champions League Quarterfinals (2018)
Champions League resurgence specialists Barcelona was out within the Italian metropolis on Tuesday, as Roma achieved one of many in quarter-final historical past.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s workforce overcame a 4-1 first-leg deficit to advance to the quarterfinals on away targets after an exhilarating 3-0 victory at residence.
Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi, and Kostas Manolas achieved a 4-4 mixture tie, eliciting exuberance from the Stadio Olimpico, whereas Barcelona, undefeated in LaLiga this season, disintegrated solely.
The end result is acknowledged among the many best comebacks within the competitors’s illustrious current historical past, significantly contemplating it occurred simply over a 12 months after Barcelona’s most famous ‘remontada’.
Roma vs. Sampdoria: Serie A (1961)
Giacomo Losi scored simply two targets for Roma, though the context of his first exemplified why he was among the many membership’s most esteemed gamers.
Losi completely represented Roma throughout his skilled profession, interspersed by temporary tenures within the lesser ranges. Over 14 years, he grew to become the one captain on the time to win a European title for the membership — the Inter-Cities Festivals Cup.
On January eighth of that 12 months, Roma performed Sampdoria. This was their second match of the 12 months and the fourteenth of the season, and there was little distinction between the 2 groups.
Pedro Manfredini equalised at 2-2 with 13 minutes left. Nevertheless, Roma discovered it onerous to reclaim the benefit. At this level, Losi was experiencing difficulties because of a groin problem that had affected him for the reason that first half. Because the ache intensified, Losi was compelled to make a troublesome selection.
He would want to go, leaving his aspect with two fewer gamers than their adversaries, or endure the discomfort and proceed enjoying. He tried his luck, and the outcomes would finally etch him as a legend.
Luck was on Roma’s aspect that day, the selection was stick or twist very similar to in a hand of blackjack with an operator discovered on Roma received a nook, determined to twist, and the ball fell to Losi. Small in stature, Losi wasn’t sometimes a risk on corners. But, to Roma’s shock, and with solely using one leg, he managed to fit the ball residence.
He might have forsaken his squad, however Losi exceeded all expectations. He was there when Roma wanted him probably the most. From that day ahead, Losi could be thought to be the Core de Roma — the Coronary heart of Rome.
Roma vs. Feyenoord: Europa Convention League Remaining (2022)
Roma received the primary Europa Convention League title after defeating Feyenoord 1-0, sustaining Jose Mourinho’s good report in main European finals in 2022.
The Dutch workforce, winners within the UEFA Cup in 2002, managed early possession however didn’t generate vital alternatives and have been penalised when Zaniolo obtained a cross from Roger Ibanez and scored.
Feyenoord renewed their momentum originally of the second half and virtually equalised when Roma defender Gianluca Mancini inadvertently redirected a brief nook into his personal put up, which Rui Patricio subsequently saved nicely. Regardless of relentless strain from the Dutch aspect, Mourinho’s workforce, by persistence and a contact of fortune, managed to clinch one other trophy for the illustrious membership.
Upon the whistle’s sound in Tirana, Mourinho commemorated by in direction of the heavens in tribute to his European triumphs.
Roma vs. Lecce: Serie A (2023)
Jose Mourinho was elated after two stoppage-time targets from Sardar Azmoun and Romelu Lukaku that secured an exhilarating 2-1 victory over Lecce in November 2023.
Pontus Almqvist scored the primary purpose for Roberto D’Aversa’s workforce by changing a unfastened ball within the 72nd minute, adopted by Azmoun’s header and Lukaku’s exact close-range end, which incited exuberant celebrations contained in the Stadio Olimpico.
The event was particularly emotional for Lukaku as Lecce custodian Wladimiro Falcone thwarted the Belgian’s fifth-minute penalty.
It wasn’t an important cup sport or title decider, however to overlook a penalty, safe a number of stoppage-time targets, and seal three factors was definitely one of the vital surprising.
Roma vs. Liverpool: UEFA Champions League (2018)
Roma was down 5-0 within the first leg however scored twice within the final moments, fostering optimism for a comeback within the second leg, having beforehand reversed a 4-1 defeat at Barcelona with a 3-0 victory at residence within the prior spherical. Coach Eusebio Di Francesco implored his workforce “to realize one other miracle,” whereas Liverpool, undefeated all through the UEFA Champions League season beneath Jürgen Klopp and together with former Roma participant Mohamed Salah in distinctive kind, solely wanted to resist the strain, a job that’s not inherently easy.
In 9 minutes, Roberto Firmino assisted Sadio Mané in scoring the primary purpose for the guests. Nonetheless, an uncommon personal purpose – Trent Alexander-Arnold’s clearance deflecting off James Milner and into the web previous Loris Karius — equalised the match. Georginio Wijnaldum subsequently scored his first UEFA Champions League purpose with a header, bringing the rating to 2-1 midway by the primary half; nevertheless, Edin Džeko transformed a rebound to equalise at 2-2 early within the second half.
Substitutes Cengiz Ünder, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Džeko approached the purpose as Roma intensified their efforts. With 4 minutes remaining, Radja Nainggolan scored from distance off the put up after which transformed a penalty within the closing moments when Ragnar Klavan was adjudged to have dedicated a foul.
Nonetheless, time expired for Roma, who wanted an extra purpose to compel further time. Roma couldn’t safe a place within the UCL closing however undoubtedly proved themselves one of many competitors’s most harmful comeback kings.
It didn’t fairly hit in addition to the Barca comeback within the earlier spherical, but it surely definitely got here shut.