MIDDLESBROUGH v AS ROMA - MATCH REPORT
By Come on Boro.com
March 9 2006
The last UEFA Cup tie Boro started was thought by many to be possibly the last European tie for a long while. Tonight after a revival that some may describe as magnificent, there was a real belief that an early summer trip to Eindhoven may be rather pleasant…
The gods were smiling on Boro with the return of Downing and Parlour, Boateng and Queudrue fit and Totti and Montella sidelined.
Schwarzer, Davies, Southgate, Riggott, Pogatetz, Mendieta, Cattermole, Boateng, Downing, Hasselbaink, Yakubu
Jones, Queudrue, Parlour, Doriva, Maccarone, McMahon, Viduka
From the off it was clear that Boro knew that victory needed to be fought hard for, as a bright start saw the ball mainly in the Roma half for the first five minutes. The first attempt on goal was a well-placed cross from Yakubu which resulted in the merest brush of a collision between JFH and Curci with the latter typically collapsing in a heap.
Five minutes later it was Jimmy’s turn to collapse after tripping and falling headlong over goalkeeper Curci in the penalty area after another superb cross from Yakubu. The Riverside Roar was in full voice as Alain Sars pointed to the spot.
So smooth, so cool, Yakubu placed the ball perfectly into the back of the net to draw the first blood in the threat to halt Roma’s eleven game unbeaten run.
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 AS ROMA 0 (Yakubu 11, pen)
Boro, enlivened by the early lead, kept up the attack whilst the Italian visitors looked like they were struggling against the Teesside weather. Roma were fighting back hard however, but so far it was Boro who had a collectively cool head, finding breaks and making considered passes, Mendieta and Cattermole providing strength in midfield and the defence, especially Riggott, standing their ground and keeping the ball winging its way into the opposite half. At this stage the casual observer would be hard pressed to pick which team was playing their 161st European match and which was making headway on their second campaign.
Tomassi tried a cautious shot on goal on twenty-three minutes which was easily saved by Schwarzer, who had hardly been troubled in the half.
A free kick from Mendi at thirty-two minutes led to a hopeful cross from Downing. Cries of “Hit it George” ran out around the Riverside, and The Boat was happy to oblige. Sadly it was done in the style of (old) Rochemback and nearly ended up in the car park, but it was worth a try.
The biggest chance for Roma came after a free kick on thirty-seven mins, and after a lot of scrambling, this was safely cleared by Riggot before JFH finished it off by sending the ball into the New Holgate for a corner. This was played short and again Roma simply could not find the break.
Like Lazio last seaon, the Italians were shown who the real gladiators were tonight.
Perrotta was given the first yellow for clipping Mendieta’s ankle. Southgate took the free kick, followed by a free for Roma a minute later after but the second goal of the match was not on the horizon just yet.
A very comfortable Boro went off for the half time oranges and shelter from the torrential rain, whilst the 25,000 fans in the ground hoped that this performance would be repeated in the second half with no return to the expected close down.
HALF-TIME FAN REACTION
“Whorlton Lido has been brought to the Riverside for the night but Boro are the better team by a long way!
THE SECOND HALF
No changes at the start of the second half for either team, and Boro showed from the top that the lead was not going to be sat upon. Cattermole made a confident early shot to continue to rattle Roma. Boateng was brought down by Kharja and landed awkwardly, but remained on the pitch.
The Romans attempted an advance led by Cufre on fifty-three minutes, putting Pogatetz under pressure, but Riggott and Cattermole provided reinforcements which led Boro to step up the pace again and add vigour to intent.
Mancini couldn’t even manage a shot in the dark after a well-placed cross from Dacourt. Nails were being bitten on the Roma bench and Riggott receiving a caution for a foul on Mexes did not allow a chance to get back in the game.
Jimmy then tried a surprise cheeky shot which although stopped, ensured that Roma did not have a chance to relax and were kept on the bounce. Another subsitution (Alvarez for Tomassi) was made in an attempt to break through the Boro barricades.
The Boat made a tackle from behind on Amatino which resulted in a dubious free kick. As the Boro wall gathered, the Romans could only look on in despair as Mexes cannoned the ball straight towards the wall, allowing Boro to charge it out, coming so close to wrapping up the tie only to be halted as Cattermole took an elbow to the face and Downing also taking a knock.
As the rain continued to lash down on the Riverside the Romans became increasingly desperate to get the elusive away goal. Skippy answered with a superb spooning of the ball to safety after a shot by Perrotta.
INTO THE RED ZONE
The Yak was taken off in favour of Viduka who immediately created a superb chance for Mendieta who amazingly balsted over the bar from twelve yards out. Roma made their final change by taking off Dacourt in favour of Aquilani.
Viduka almost made another world class goal but was thwarted by a truly excellent tackle from Mexes. A minute later a ridiculous decision by the ref deciding that Viduka had fouled Curci saw Boro thwarted once more. This was immediately followed by a rattled Mexes hacking Viduka to the ground resulting in a yellow. In the final minutes Queudrue replaced Downing and Boro managed to keep both concentration and attack to the very end.
As the final whistle blew the Riverside erupted with a roar that could not be dampened by the torrential rain. For the second season running a Roman team had been outclassed by the Teessiders who would go to the Stadio Olympico with every expectation of confirming a place in the final eight.
FULL-TIME FAN REACTION
“Bring it on in Rome!” Smogsaway
DOUBLE NEXT WEEK'S MATCH ODDS WITH BETFRED
ROMA FANS WELCOME IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
BORO v ROMA PROGRAMME SPONSORED BY DEBTBUSTER LOANS
