Barcelona did nothing to cause Roma problems, says Florenzi

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AS Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi says his side never felt like they were under any risk against Barcelona as they overturned a 4-1 deficit to book a place in this season’s Champions League semi-finals.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s men ran out 3-0 winners at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night, meaning not only did they defy the odds, but reached the final four of European football’s elite club competition for the first time since 1984.

From the first minute to last the Giallorossi “played perfectly” according to Florenzi, who came through the club’s academy, and at no point did they feel their illustrious Spanish opponents put them on the backfoot. NaijaBet.com

“To be honest, we never really felt it was at risk tonight, as Barcelona did nothing to cause us problems,” he told Mediaset Premium. “We played perfectly and performed right from the start to the last minute.

“Tactically, we were a level above them. If Barcelona can’t play the ball to feet and pass it around comfortably, they really struggle.

“At half-time, the coach [Eusebio Di Francesco] said to keep doing what we were doing and to stay calm – we knew we could create something magical here. NaijaBet.com

“Gradually it happened and we secured a result that will go down in Roma’s history.”

History makers

Prior to Tuesday’s incredible scenes in The Eternal City only two clubs had previously overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League.

Deportivo La Coruna beat AC Milan 4-0 at home after losing the opening leg 4-1 in the 2004 quarter-finals and Barcelona humbled Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 after losing the first game 4-0 at the Parc des Princes in last season’s round of 16.

Edin Dzeko, the club’s leading scorer, put the Romans into the lead after six minutes before captain Daniele De Rossi converted a penalty early in the second half. De Rossi was unfortunate to register an own goal in the first-leg at the Camp Nou but he wasn’t alone as Greek centre-back Kostas Manolas also put the ball into his own net. NaijaBet.com

As fate would have it, Manolas scored the historic goal, a neat header nine minutes from the end which ultimately lead to mass jubilation that the City hadn’t experienced since their Serie A championship triumph in 2001.