‘Crazy’ Roma fans can help knock out Liverpool in Champions League

Former Roma striker Rudi Voller believes his old team’s ‘crazy’ fans will play a big part in helping them knock Liverpool out of the Champions League to reach the final.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s side stunned everyone with their second leg comeback to eliminate Barcelona in Rome and critics again have them as underdogs to reach the final in Kiev against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.

But Voller, who played for the Italians between 1987-92, believes the tie is much closer than many are suggesting and that home advantage in the second leg will again prove decisive.  

Former striker Rudi Voller believes home advantage in the second leg gives them the edge

Voller insists the club’s ‘crazy’ supporters will be decisive over the two-legged semi-final

‘They are lucky that the first leg will be played in Liverpool. I know that the fans will go crazy there [in Liverpool],’ Voller told Omnisport, via FourFourTwo.

‘But the Stadio Olimpico, with the crazy fans, is also nice. You saw against Barcelona that many things can happen there.

‘They have a good chance to advance to the final.’ 

Roma looked on the cusp of a quarter-final exit as they departed the first leg at the Nou Camp down 4-1. 

Greek defender Kostas Manolas scored the decisive goal to eliminate giants Barcelona

But Edin Dzeko and Daniele de Rossi reduced the deficit in a devastating second leg before Greek defender Kostas Manolas headed home the crucial third to progress on away goals.

Roma already have pedigree against English opposition in this year’s tournament having played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Chelsea in west London during the group stage before a resounding 3-0 win on the Rome return.   

For Voller the players in the Italians ranks provides him with plenty of belief – rather than focusing on the return of in-form Mohamed Salah. 

‘They are not the underdog against Liverpool with their good goalkeeper [Alisson], the defence and Edin Dzeko who is an outstanding striker,’ he added.