Rome has to worry about reaching the quarter-finals

With a dream free kick under the crossbar of Rome's goal, the Brazilian Fred made the decision in favor of the hosts 19 minutes before the final whistle. Seven minutes after the break, Argentinian Facundo Ferreyra equalized the visitors' lead by Turkish Champions League debutant Cengiz Ünder (41'), thus beginning the South American evening in the Ukrainian winter. The Eastern Europeans had already prevailed against Rome in their only previous entry into the quarter-finals of the Champions League seven years ago.

Rome, the surprise winner of Group B in the preliminary round ahead of England's champions FC Chelsea and a stumbling block for the former Champions League finalist Atletico Madrid, is threatening to extend its black streak in the round of 2008 of the Champions League with the defeat. The Italian runner-up had not been able to win any of his three previous duels in the first knockout round. Rome last moved into the top eight in Europe's elite class in XNUMX with a win over Real Madrid.

The hosts, who remained undefeated on home soil in the preliminary round, will be eligible for their second quarter-final appearance in the premier class. In his last two rounds of 2013, Schachtjor failed in XNUMX against eventual finalists Borussia Dortmund and two years later against German record champions Bayern Munich.

Both teams offered a varied encounter in the first half. However, high-profile opportunities were the exception. Edin Dzeko, who later brilliantly prepared the 1-0, left one of the better opportunities unused in the opening phase after a confusing situation in the home team's penalty area.

Donetsk, who had eliminated the Italian top club SSC Napoli in the group phase, increased the pressure on the guests immediately after the restart in the second half. After Ferreyra's goal, the Ukrainians temporarily restricted Rome in front of the penalty area and had the best chance of taking the lead. But Rome goalkeeper Alisson Becker made two brilliant saves in quick succession after around an hour.

In contrast to the first half of the game, the guests, who seemed completely disorganized, invited Donetsk to score goals through numerous mistakes in defense, but it was only Fred's standard goal that punished Roma's many negligence.

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Rome has to worry about reaching the quarter-finals

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