Player ratings as Edin Dzeko shines despite Roma falling just short against Liverpool

Tom Biggs 00:50 03/05/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Edin Dzeko after netting against Liverpool

    Roma became the first team to beat Liverpool in the Champions League this season, but their 4-2 win on the night wasn’t enough to progress to the final, as they lost 7-6 on aggregate.

    Jurgen Klopp’s men twice led, through Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum, but an own-goal from James Milner and a fine finish from Edin Dzeko made it 2-2, before Radja Nainggolan’s double earned Roma the win on the night.

    Here are our Roma player ratings from the Stadio Olimpico…

    STARTING XI:

    Alisson – 6: Not at fault for either of Liverpool’s goals and made two great saves with his feet to deny Mane and Roberto Firmino.

    Alessandro Florenzi – 4: Clearly told to get forward as often as possible, but left Roma exposed defensively and couldn’t get anywhere near Mane.

    Kostas Manolas – 6: Got away with a silly push on Mane early on but did well defensively to cover for Roma’s full-backs pushing on.

    Federico Fazio – 6: Covered for Kolarov’s advances and played his part in keeping Mohamed Salah quiet on his Stadio Olimpico return.

    Aleksandar Kolarov – 6: Wasted a number of promising crossing opportunities down the left as Roma looked to peg Liverpool back.

    Lorenzo Pellegrini – 3: Brought in to provide attacking drive from midfield, he gave possession away far too often. Subbed after just 53 minutes.

    Daniele De Rossi – 6: Struggled to halt Liverpool’s blistering counter-attacks, but played a couple of excellent passes over the top for Roma’s front men.

    Radja Nainggolan – 6: Started the night with a shocking error and ended it with a stunning strike and smashing penalty. Did very little in between.

    Patrik Schick – 5: A few nice touches but didn’t get close enough to Dzeko to make the most of any second balls.

    Edin Dzeko – 7: Poor defensive header allowed Liverpool to make it 2-1, but worked hard and took his goal superbly well in the second half

    Stephan El Shaarawy – 6: Header across goal led to James Milner’s own goal and was unlucky to see deflected strike come back off the post.

    SUBSTITUTES:

    Cengiz Under – 6: Came on and provided much more of a spark. Unlucky not to score when found by De Rossi with a great pass.

    Maxime Gonalons – 5: Kept things simple, offloading the ball into wide positions as Roma looked to test Liverpool with crosses into the box.

    Mirko Antonucci – 5: Came on late for his European debut but had very few touches of the ball despite Roma pushing forward.

    Recommended