Roma vs CFR Cluj-Napoca Highlights: Champions League Highlights

Posted on September 16, 2008
Filed Under UEFA Champions League

Juan Culio scored a brace to pull off one of the biggest shocks in Champions League history as they defeated Serie A giants Roma in the Italian capital.

Roma have made a slow start to the new season but were expected to comfortably overcome Cluj who currently sit seventh in the Romanian league and were making their debut in Europe’s premier club competition.

Things seemed to be going according to plan when Christian Panucci opened the scoring for the home side in the 17th minute but Culio equalised 10 minutes later and then stunned the Stadio Olimpico when he fired the minnows into the lead four minutes into the second half.

Cluj deservedly held on to take all three points but questions will be asked of the Roma defence, while the performances of the Giallorossi’s new arrivals such as John Arne Riise and Julio Baptista will not have impressed the fans.

The only good news of the night for the hosts was the return to action of their skipper Francesco Totti, who came off the bench in the second half for only his second appearance since April.

Yssouf Kone fired an early warning to Roma as he came close to giving Cluj a surprise lead in the 11th minute with a fierce shot from just outside the area but Doni did well to save.

Mirko Vucinic then twice went close in a span of two minutes as he first volleyed Joao Cicinho’s cross inches wide of the right upright and then saw another effort crash off the left hand post.

Roma went ahead when Daniele De Rossi outpowered a Cluj defender before whipping in a cross which Panucci headed past Cluj stopper Eduard Stancioiu.

However, the visitors were not looking like they were under any pressure and fired many chances to equalize.

Sebastian Dubarbier came to close to levelling in the 22nd minute with a fierce shot from just outside the area which was straight at Doni and the goalkeeper collected it safely

However, the Romanians deservedly equalised in the 28′ when a terrific flick by Dubarbier was fired past Doni into the bottom right corner by Culio.

Roma pushed hard to regain the advantage but found it hard against a Cluj side who had grown in confidence since the equalizer.

Things were not getting any better for Roma when Culio fired Cluj into the lead four minutes after the restart.

Marco Cassetti headed a cross away but only as far as Culio who buried into the bottom right corner with a superb left-footed volley.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti brought on Totti three minutes later but the Giallorossi talisman was obviously still far from his best.

The Romanians could have extended their lead as a Gabriel Muresan free-kick sailed inches wide of the post and Kone’s header flew just over the cross bar before Sixto Peralta almost settled matters with a fierce effort that crashed back off the underside of the bar.

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