Football Update: UEFA Group E Match- Roma vs. Bayern (Preview)
The UEFA Champions League Group E encounter between AS Roma and Bayern Munchen was played at Stadio Olimpia, Rome Tuesday 23, 2010 (20:45 Local time)
Roma being led by skipper Daniele De Rossi had a home advantage against Bayern which was headed by Phillip Lahm. The outfield was a bit slow and the game started with both teams playing calculated in the first few minutes. The first half was a bit defensive
for both the sides and at the 13th minute, Roma had to earn a yellow card for Greco. In the 19th minute, a yellow card was given to Bayern’s Kroos, which was the second yellow card of the match. The game started to fire up when 3rd
yellow card was given to Roma’s Mexes in the 21st minute. The Spanish referee Alberto Undiano Malleno was a bit harsh on players, as he was following a zero tolerance strategy.
In the 33th minute Mario Gomez scored a fine goal. Right after the first goal of the game, Italian club put themselves onto the back foot. Germans started to gear up and Mario Gomez scored another goal for Bayern Munchen in 39th
minute, with an eye catchy act of play. Roma was certainly feeling pressure on their home ground. It’s quite inevitable to take pressure when a team is down at home..
Greco had already been given a yellow card in the first half, and he was the first one to move out. This substitution took place in the 46th minute, almost the very beginning of the second half. The main difference between the both teams in second
half was that one tried to be defensive and the other played aggressive. Now was the turn of Roma, they turned aggressive in the second half. Changed their short term tactical strategy and Marco Borriello made a spectacular goal. The first goal from Roma side
had put energy and mobility in their moves, they penetrated well and recovered the damage. The score was 2-1 to Bayern at that time.
The play slowed down a bit and both the teams did well. Regardless of some off – target attempts both played worth watching. The fourth yellow card was given to the Italian captain De Rossi for his dangerous tackle. Both teams attained a higher level but
failed to cash any of the corner kick. Three substitutions were made in just 4 minutes. German Muller was replaced at 73rd, Italian Brighi at 75th and Bayern’s Franck Ribery (French midfielder/striker) at 77th minute.
Francesco Totti (star Italian player) proved to be a difference among the two sides. He made great moves and passed the ball to De Rossi who put the ball into the net. AS Roma skipper De Rossi scored in the 81st minute, that made the game even
more interesting. Right after the scores level, Roma substituted Vucinic. The managers of both the teams were giving supportive arguments to the players. A yellow card was given in the 83rd minute to Bayern’s Kraft when Roma was totally over shadowing
and was in a good position to score decisive goal. Referee gave a penalty kick which was taken by Francesco Totti. He scored easily, making the Italian crowd go mad. Totti did the magic and the game belonged to Roma, apart from some fabulous performances from
the German side. AS Roma won the game 3-2.
According to Roma coach, Claudio Ranieri, Bayern played as cats do with mice. But in the second half they changed the gear and finally managed to play football at a high tempo. Roma was two down by the half time, but they mounted a stirring fight capped
by Francesco Totti’s penalty. Roma superbly recovered the match and made it closer to the final 16. Despite Bayern’s 57% possession, the thrilling come back has put them on the go.
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