Champions League: Roma Know What To Do vs Porto

Roma vs Porto

Semi-finalists in the 2017-18 edition of the Champions League, Roma make a grand return to the knockout stages of the competition with high hopes of replicating, or bettering, last year’s success.

Roma, of course, are no longer the same team. However, after last year’s run during which they defied expectations, it’s safe to say the Italian side knows what it takes to win in tournaments like this—be it with the same group of players or not.

Porto are no easy opponents, that’s for sure. But they are well in a disadvantage at the Stadio Olimpico where they also have to survive the pressure from what is expected to be a hostile crowd.

Talking Points

Not the same as last year

Roma changed, and whether that’s good or bad for them in Europe remains to be seen.

After a runner-up finish in Serie A and a semi-final appearance in the Champions League last year, the Giallorossi struggled domestically and are currently fourth in the Italian top flight.

In the 2017-18 campaign, they finished top of their group in the UCL. However, they barely made it this time around, finishing second with nine points—three behind Group G winners Real Madrid and just two ahead of Viktoria Plzen and CSKA Moscow.

Obviously, the departure of Alisson was huge for the team. Deciding to part ways with Radja Nainggolan seems to have some side effects as well.

Nonetheless, while their form is questionable, there’s no doubt Roma have plenty of talent on their roster. And it would be foolish to think that their performance in the group stage would be the same this round.

Edin Dzeko continues to anchor the frontline, and with Daniele De Rossi and Steven Nzonzi, manager Eusebio Di Francesco has plenty of midfield options.

Not to mention the presence of Nicolo Zaniolo and youngsters such as Bryan Cristante and Justin Kluivert who can make a difference when they hit their stride.

Champions League: Eusebio di Francesco's AS Roma ae expected to beat Porto at home — AS Roma head coach Eusebio di Francesco coaching from the touchline during their Serie A match versus Torino

Playing at home should give Roma a little bit of an advantage too. The Serie A outfit has lost just twice at home this year, all while winning nine times and drawing four out of 15 home matches in all contests.

They are also riding a five-game unbeaten streak at the Stadio Olimpico with four victories and one stalemate, which is a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan.

Porto: Roaring and raring for the title

Porto are aiming for the best Champions League 2019 results, and they have shown they are hungry for it.

The Portuguese club topped Group D in the group stage and even more remarkable, they finished as the only unit with five wins. Their 5-1-0 record was the best in the tournament, while their 15-goal tally was the third-most behind Paris Saint-Germain (17) and Manchester City (16).

To simply put it, the Dragons have proven that they belong and should be considered as legitimate threats.

Porto will now look to extend their UCL winning streak to six, and they’ll be leaning on Moussa Marega to take charge on the offensive end. The 27-year-old Mali international has scored in their last five Champions League fixtures, most notably hitting the only goal against Galatasaray.

Hector Herrera and Jesus Corona have been pivotal for the Primeira Liga leaders as well, and they should be able to provide an additional challenge to Roma.

The only concerns for Porto are how they will react against stronger opposition and if they can shoot down their away woes.

Sergio Conceicao’s men haven’t faced elite teams in the group stage, with their strongest opponents so far being Bundesliga side Schalke 04.

The club has also been struggling to turn draws into wins on the road, as seen in back-to-back stalemates at Guimaraes and Moreira.

History

It’s pretty safe to say history isn’t on Roma’s side on this one.

The two teams have met four times before in European competition, with Porto beating Roma 2-0 on aggregate in the 1981 UEFA Winners’ Cup. In their 2016-17 playoff meeting in the UCL, the Dragons also dominated and came out as 1-4 winners over two legs.

Roma, however, will like the fact that Porto haven’t won a knockout game in their last four Champions League fixtures. Interestingly, Porto have failed to score a goal over that period, most notably losing to Liverpool 0-5 in their Round of 16 opener.