No offence to Gerry and the Pacemakers, but the Ferry Cross the Mersey is old news. These days it’s about the president in the fountain.
After Roma’s magnificent 3-0 defeat of Barcelona in the quarter-final second leg, club owner James Pallotta leapt into the fountain in the Piazza del Poppolo in the Italian capital.
The burly American-Italian’s late night dip earned him a €500 fine, but captured the mood of the entire country. Everyone (apart from perhaps fierce rivals Lazio) was thrilled about the Giallorossi’s historical win.
Roma’s Greek defender Kostas Manolas after scoring the definitive goal against Barcelona
That victory showcased the team’s strong spine and flexible, honest coach. They will respect Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, but like the gladiators that graced the Colosseum all those years ago, they fear no one.
Roma lost at home to Fiorentina the weekend before their Barca turnaround. The Tuscans are in great form so the defeat was not a disgrace, but the lackadaisical defending and lack of poise in midfield and attack upset fans at the Stadio Olimpico.
It was different music against the Catalans though. The goals came from all three departments. Former Manchester City Centre-forward Edin Dzeko, who ran like there was no tomorrow, scored early. Legendary midfield warhorse Daniele De Rossi took the responsibility from the penalty spot. They began to believe.
Daniele De Rossi and Edin Dzeko have dealt with constant speculation regarding the futures
De Rossi, who has come close to retirement before, remains committed as ever to the cause
Greek defender Kostas Manolas, who put the ball in his own net in the first leg (like De Rossi) completed the feat with a fine glancing header. Manolas was close to leaving in the summer, Dzeko was linked to Chelsea in January and De Rossi’s retirement is a regular talking point in a city that dissects and debates football like no other.
But make no mistake, all three are dedicated to the Roman cause and spearheaded the team’s march to their first semi-final of this tournament since 1983-84. Coach Eusebio di Francesco also deserves immense praise.
The boss, known as DiFra by the Italian media, admitted to having trouble sleeping after the Fiorentina loss. ‘I couldn’t drop off until 5am. And because I am crazy, I used the time to study different tactical approaches to get the better of Barcelona.’
Messi and Co. paid dearly for DiFra’s insomnia. The Giallorossi changed to a three man defence. The 3-4-1-2, with irrepressible Belgian Radja Nainggolan in the number ten role, worked perfectly. The ex-Sassuolo coach will already be devising a way to stop Liverpool idol Mo Salah, a former Roma darling.
Eusebio Di Francesco lay awake planning Roma’s tactical plans against Barcelona last week
While De Rossi is a household name after the winning the World Cup 12 years ago, and Dzeko is well known in the UK, there are a couple of mysterious objects in the famous dark red shirt. Turkish winger Cengiz Under and smooth Czech forward Patrick Schick provide youth and unpredictability.
Twenty-year-old Under arrived as an unknown in the summer from Istanbul club Basaksehir, but exploded into life in February with a series of spectacular, match-deciding strikes.
Di Francesco says: ‘His skill levels are remarkable, he can fire off a shot incredibly quickly. He was the kind of player that only gives you 20 minutes, but with hard work in training he has learned to conserve his energy and use it wisely.’
Schick, a high-profile loan signing from Sampdoria (after a move to Juventus broke down due to a minor heart issue) has had an injury-blighted start to capital life. But now the 22 year old is finding his feet. And that’s great news for Roma, because he has a deft, inventive style, and a balletic quality to his movement. He played alongside Dzeko against Barca, and was an ideal foil for the big Bosnian.
Turkish winger Cengiz Under (right) arrived as an unknown but exploded into life in February
Patrick Schick (centre) has had an injury-blighted start to capital life but is finding his feet
At the other end Roma rely upon one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. People don’t make jokes about Brazilian keepers anymore, and Alisson Becker is one of the reasons why. The bearded stopper has pushed Juventus veteran Gianluigi Buffon close as best number one in Serie A this season.
Becker, who keeps Manchester City’s Ederson out of the Brazil starting eleven, has saved Roma on many occasions with his reflexes and bravery. The 25 year old, who is excellent with his feet, has kept 13 clean sheets in Serie A and five in ten Champions League outings this campaign.
Di Francesco is a courageous, switched-on coach, boasting a humble squad with priceless experience, thrilling youth and a home ground which generates an atmosphere like few others in world football.
Just like their president, Roma are determined to keep making a splash. And Pallotta will be happy to continue paying the fines.
Roma will go into their semi-final against Liverpool fearing no one after besting Barcelona