Champions League: Roma 1-3 Basel; upset brings up Claudio Ranieri issues again (Part 2)
To read part one of this article, click http://www.senore.com/Champions-League-Roma-1-3-Basel-upset-brings-up-Claudio-Ranieri-issues-again-Part-1-a35033
Though it were the Swiss that came up with a better game-play in the match, the 21st minute showed that it was AS Roma that were making a comeback. It was Francesco Totti that helped Borriello, the former AC Milan player,
with a brilliant through ball to produce that goal that levelled the score.
After that, Totti realized that he himself would have to produce a winner that would lead his team to victory. Soon afterwards, he shot a left-footed shot that landed just inches away from the goal posts.
Nonetheless, it was Basel that took the lead again just before the half time whistle had been blown. Xherdan Shaqiri was impeccable in playing calls from the right. He tried combinations with Inkoom, and on one such occasion he
made a fantastic turn from Simone Perrotta and placed the ball across Bogdan Lobont in to the far corner.
It was Totti in the spotlight again, but this time soon after play was resumed. The deadlock was nearly broken when Totti blasted in a right-footed shot that went inches away from the frame work.
The ball travelled to the far post as the heads of many came down in dismay at the close call. However, the attempt had done his job as the La Maggica's morale was given a boost yet again.
In the 58th minute, Roma came excruciatingly close to scoring a goal. Rodrigo Taddei came up with a good cross shot that landed on the far post. The shot had been travelling into the back of the net and had the pole
not come in between, the ball would have been netted after it beat the glove man Franco Costanzo.
Though the Giallorossi had the home advantage, the Swiss club steadily improved their game until they had been become so efficient in their attack that they had made Swiss cheese out of the Roma defence.
The Swiss club looked even more threatening after the first half. Benjamin Huggel got a really good chance to score but he would have to really stretch for it to happen. With Basel squandering another chance to score; it was an
ill placed header that lost Roma. Borriello had proved that he was good enough to score after he received a pass from Totti.
It was Totti again when there were just breaths left in the match. The chance to score was once again lost as a free kick was used in futility. The free kick was saved by the Basel shot stopper Costanzo.
The defence of Roma was simply pathetic, especially after Jerson Cabral blew the last one which at least made many realize that this will be the last goal in Basel’s victory.
Now with these results, the 2nd qualification spot in the Champions League’s Group E is still left open. At the moment, results show that all three clubs Roma, Basel and CFR Cluj are all on 3 points in 3 games.
Now it will all be up to the 4th match to decide if the club can proceed to the next level. As of now, the Giallorossi are in a lot of trouble. Along with that, it seems that Claudio Ranieri will be facing difficulties
with his future in the management of the club.
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