Wednesday 2nd May 2018 Kick off 1945hrs Roma v Liverpool Football – Europe – Champions League If the other semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid was somewhat disappointing and never lived up to the pre-match billing, then the game between Liverpool and Roma was anything but. Seven goals shared between the two and although the tie is now very much Liverpool’s to lose, we can hopefully expect a similar level of entertainment on Wednesday in Rome. There were some ugly scenes off the field involving both sets of supporters and we hope that’s one element that does not repeat itself in the return.
Roma were absolutely woeful in defence last week and the tactics of Eusebio Di Francesco were questioned as the rookie manager (at this level, at least) attempted to play a high line against an attack that is renowned for exploiting space and using their devastating speed to such effect. It could be said that any team who concede five at this stage of the Champions League have gotten this far undeservedly but whatever your view, it’s obvious that Roma were shown up and found wanting for a lack of experience of going so deep in the Champions League. They saved some face by scoring two late goals to give them some semblance of hope going into the return. It also means that they need exactly the same score as they required in the second leg against Barcelona in the previous round to progress and they’ll be hoping that lightening does strike twice on this occasion. It seems somewhat fanciful to think that Roma would be able to keep a clean sheet for the 3-0 result they need to make the final but that’s exactly what was said ahead of the Barcelona game and they proved doubters wrong – can they do so again?
Liverpool were absolutely sensational for 80 minutes last week but as has been so often the case under Jurgen Klopp, there was a late blip and they could yet pay the price. Mohammed Salah, as predicted, came back to haunt his former club with two excellent finishes to get Liverpool on their away. Saido Mane and Robert Firmino completed the scoring and it looks as though the Premier League outfit could start thinking about what hotel they would be staying in in Kiev next month. It’s still very much odds on they will be facing either Real or Bayern in the final but there’s no doubt they travel to Rome with a few more nerves than they should be. It does raise bigger questions for Klopp, though, in the sense that is there a need to adopt more conservative tactics earlier, when in the lead, and avoid being susceptible to conceding late goals. Or is it just a fact that their high energy, high pressing game is always going to mean that they have to suffer slightly in the closing minutes. Those are areas that will need to be addressed at some point, but the priority is simply reaching the Champions League final – whatever it takes.
From limiting the likes of Suarez and Messi to virtually no real chances in the second leg of their quarter final, to virtually going to bits at Anfield in the matter of a couple of weeks is hard to take for anybody associated with Roma. Their most famous son, Francesco Totti, looked to be suffering every time the camera panned to him during the second half last week and in truth it looked like it would become more embarrassing until they managed to salvage a couple of away goals. A fast start is imperative on Wednesday and so is the same belief they held against Barca. Everybody, from the players to the supporters, played their bit that evening and will have produce an even better display to repeat the feat and overturn this deficit.
Liverpool were dealt a blow with the injury to Alex Oxlade Chamberlain last week as the midfielder signed from Arsenal provides so much energy and pace which has been a real feature to the Red’s success this season in Europe. It may not be as much of a miss in the second leg but if they are successful and to proceed, then there is no doubt it will be felt in the final against a better class of opposition. However, as I have noted time and time again when previewing a Liverpool match in this competition, it’s all about the front three and their telepathic understanding with each other. No team in the Champions League has found an answer to try and cope with them and at times last week it looked like the Roma defence were petrified.
Roma v Liverpool Betting Tip
So often down the years, the semi finals of the Champions League have been criticised for being dull, boring affairs with teams more concerned with not losing rather than attempting to win. That could not have been further from the truth last week as – at times – both Liverpool and Roma essentially ignored their defensive responsibilities in the hope of taking an advantage in the tie. Liverpool started slowly but Roma could not find an opening goal before being blown away for the best part of an hour. As a neutral, a similarly open game would be well received.
The key to Roma’s win over Barcelona was not allowing their opponents to settle and being able to get the goals at the time they did was also crucial. Liverpool will be aware of that and will try to kill the game and subdue the atmosphere from the outset. They themselves were caught out early on in the last round against Manchester City, sparking hopes of a comeback, but they proved far superior against Roma last week and they should have little bother in seeing this game out. Roma will have to take the initiative and that will play right into the visitors hands – take them to progress to Kiev in style by winning on the night.
Liverpool 13/8 @ Betfair
