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AS ROMA v MIDDLESBROUGH - BRIGGSY'S ANALYSIS
History in the making
A historic 2-1 defeat in Rome was enough to put Boro into the last eight of
the
UEFA Cup. This will certainly go down as one of Boro's biggest
achievements ever and will stick in the memories of Boro fans for years to
come.
We did the hard bit in the first leg, which gave us a platform for
the
second leg and going into the game it felt very similar to the England v
Italy
World Cup qualifier in October 1997, which was also played in the Stadio Olimpico. On this
occasion England needed a draw to progress into the 1998 World Cup finals.
Southgate was an important player that night, and was equally if not
more
important last night. The Stadio Olimpico has proved to be a good
hunting
ground for English teams with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Leeds all
winning there in recent years.
Steve McClaren opted for the same team that played Roma in the first leg,
which
seemed to have given the fans a boost. Roma's intentions were clear
from the
start- they came out of the block all guns blazing. This was going to
be a
long night!
Roma dominated the early play and had a free kick on eight
minutes, but Bovo could only direct his shot at Mark Schwarzer, who was
certainly in for a busy night. Roma's best chance thus far came seven
minutes later when a Taddei saw his header from a Bovo free kick just
wide
of Schwarzer's goal - on target and it would have been in.
On seventeen minutes Edgar Alvarez got in behind Pogo and played a ball
inside to Mancini, who was just ready to have strike at goal before
Davies
produced an excellent block. Roma were having much luck down our left
with
Edgar Alvarez. Super Lee Cattermole however was keeping Perrotta quiet
on
the other side, and was clearly frustrated by this.
On twenty -three
minutes
Downing was caught in possession and Bovo hit a magnificent long range
strike which was denied by only the crossbar. Five minutes later Roma
countered brilliantly and almost had a goal, Edgar Alvarez was played
in by
Taddei, and he got in behind Pogo but could only drag his poor shot
across
goal and wide.
Both members of midfield dynamite duo, Lee Cattermole and George Boateng were
booked within the first half hour and this means they'll miss the first
leg of
the quarter-final. A loss but I'm sure we'll deal with it. Mancini was
also
cautioned on the half hour mark for a foul on Mendi. Replays showed he
elbowed Mendi right in the face and should certainly have been given
his
marching orders.
Roma had dominated the first half hour and Boro were disciplined and patient, patience that
certainly paid off. On thirty-two minutes a Boro break away gave us that
vital
away goal. It came from a Downing cross which was inch perfect for
Jimmy
Floyd Hasselbaink. He still had a lot to do, out jumping Mexes and
directing
his header goal bound. What a goal! It was what has become a typical
Boro
goal. Roma needed three BUT it was imperative we got to half time without
conceding.
Roma got themselves back in the game almost instantly when a neat move
found
Taddei inside the box, who played a ball inside to Mancini and the
stroked
the ball into the top of the net. It was a very well worked goal. The
half-time whistle couldn't come any sooner for Boro as Roma were growing in
confidence after their equaliser.
The second half begun very much like the first had ended. Roma's spirits
were
very high after their goal and were bombarding the Boro goal. Minutes
into
the second half Mancini went past Queudrue and tried to get his show
inside
the post but Schwarzer stayed big and put the ball out for a corner.
Minutes
later Schwarzer was again called into action when he saved a header
from
Mancini.
With Roma committing so many men forward Boro had a four on
three
situation at the other end. Jimmy played in Downing whose cross
couldn't
find Yakubu.
Schwarzer made a breathtaking save on fifty-five minutes when De Rossi
had
his point blank effort saved by the Boro keeper. On first glance he
looked clearly offside but Queudrue played him on.
Roma's hopes were given a
massive boost ten minutes later when Okaka was clattered by Ray Parlour
inside the box. It was harsh to say the least. But Mancini made no
mistake
from the spot sending the keeper the wrong way.
It was certainly going to be backs against the wall stuff from now on and Roma
switched to a 4-2-4 formation. It was a very nervous time watching it and I feared for
my
finger nails.
With ten minutes to go the first signs that Roma were
getting
desperate came when Mexes has a long range effort easily saved by
Schwarzer.
Schwarzer again had to be sharp when a downward header from Mexes was
saved
on eighty-four minutes. Minutes later Mexes was given his marching
order
when handed his second yellow card of the game for a late challenge on
Downing. I
thought it was a little harsh, but certainly wasn't complaining.
Roma continued to press until the final whistle but the Boro lions
showed
great fighting spirit to grind out the result needed to progress. Roma
were
by far the better team on the night.
We have just knocked out a very
good
side, the favourites in fact! We can all be proud of the club, this was
a
magnificent result over two legs and a result which will go down in the
history books. We're into the last eight of the UEFA cup and considering
this
is only our second involvement in this cup it's a magnificent
achievement.
There's no reason why we can go on and win it now. Surely we have no
one to
fear?
Final word must go to the Boro supporters out there in Rome. They were
exceptional and each and everyone of them deserves a big pat on the
back.
Well done lads.
NOW HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
BACK TO BRIGGSY INDEX
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