Džeko strike edges Roma past Shakhtar Donetsk
A stoical 52nd-minute finish from Edin Džeko was adequate to explain feat for Roma during home to Shakhtar Donetsk and send a Italian side by after a tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.
Chances were during a reward in a opening 45 mins notwithstanding copiousness of aggressive vigilant from both sides, with Facundo Ferreyra rupturing far-reaching a clearest opening after dispossessing Roma’s Federico Fazio.
The wilful impulse came early in a second half when Kevin Strootman’s by round hold a Shakhtar counterclaim high adult a representation and Džeko detonate by before quietly shifting his finish by a legs of Andriy Pyatov.
The visitors’ hopes of snatching a equaliser they indispensable to swell were hampered when Ivan Ordets was sent off for a 79th-minute veteran tainted on Džeko. The hosts afterwards hold organisation to strech a final 8 for a initial time in 10 years, with Shakhtar unwell to register a shot on aim in a whole match.
Key player: Edin Džeko (Roma)
Cometh a hour, cometh a man. Džeko was in a shadows for most of this game, yet timed his presentation to soundness to container in a essential idea with a deftest of touches. It is not a initial time a Bosnian has done a disproportion for Roma this season, with his goals during Chelsea arguably a ones that gave a Giallorossi a faith they could validate from their group. This idea will give them even some-more certainty as they conduct into a final eight.
Reporter articulate points
Ben Gladwell, Roma: For a initial time in a decade, Roma strech a quarter-finals of this competition, yet they had to work intensely tough to get there. Shakhtar’s diversion devise seemed to be operative as they undone their hosts, yet one satirical pierce was adequate for a Serie A side to waylay it. Shakhtar were some-more than a match, though, and can leave a #UCL with their heads hold high, as Roma demeanour brazen to Friday’s draw.
Evgeni Polyakov, Shakhtar: Shakhtar played a ideal initial half and we can’t explain what happened to them after a break. A duration detriment of thoroughness ensured a Pitmen conceded a idea that knocked them out, with Ordets’ red label not assisting their cause. However, it was a good debate for a Ukrainian champions and many of we will be looking brazen to saying them in a UEFA Champions League again subsequent season.
Key stats
- Roma still to concur a home idea in this season’s #UCL
- Džeko equals personal best transport of 4 goals in this season’s #UCL
- Džeko scores initial #UCL idea during home given 4 Nov 2015
- Roma swell in Europe after first-leg divided better for initial time given 2003/04.
- Džeko’s strike was his initial ever in a #UCL knockout rounds