(5-2 AGG)
Probable Lineups
Roma: Alisson; Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Pellegrini; Schick, Džeko, El Shaarawy
Out: Karsdorp, Defrel, Perotti, Strootman
Liverpool: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mané
Out: Gomez Matip, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Can
The Stage; The Stadio Olimpico, a venue no stranger to big matches. The 1990 World Cup final was hosted on this pitch, and in front of 73,603 rapturous supporters, West Germany defeated Argentina on a controversial 85th-minute penalty call that would go on to be the only score in the match. The shutout was the first time in the History of World Cup Final that a team failed to score. Argentina was led by Captain Diego Maradona, one of the all-time greats, yet Germany kept him off the scoresheet.
Wednesday night, from the moment Roma arrive at Viale dei Gladiatori, 00135, Gladiators is exactly what they will have to be. To reenact a defensive performance as West Germany did in 1990 while winning by 3 is the only solution to ticket them to Kiev for the Final.
Roma is listed at +940 to advance.
A miracle is what they will need but hope, the fans will not lack, as they saw this team overcome a 4-1 deficit vs. a group commanded by Lionel Messi. Roma was able to shut out Barcelona and score three goals on a magical night, in front of their supporters. The difference, the coveted away goal they were able to squeeze in, during a match that was lopsided and many disregarded the score looking at it as an asterisk in a dominant performance.
The game was opened up quickly with an early Edin Dzeko score and never saw Barcelona shake off the moment.
https://twitter.com/JogaBonito_USA/status/983780187639898112
Roma opened up the scoreline early vs. Barca, but in this match will need to remain focused for 90 minutes as Liverpool have now given up their last four goals in the closing 45 minutes. They need an electric start while the crowd is still behind them, but how long can they remain disciplined without scoring? The more the timepiece ticks, the more erratic the home side will become.
We’ve got to want this comeback and give it everything – we’ve got to do something truly great. [We must have] belief and with this mentality, with these fans and this passion around the team, try to perform another miracle – and saying a miracle is perfectly fine. I’m glad we’ve got this far, but I’m never one to settle for that. Our ambition should be to get to Kyiv -Eusebio Di Francesco, Roma coach
If history plays a key in Wednesday’s match, of the ten semi-finals Liverpool have appeared in, they have managed to advance seven times.
Reds star Mohamed Salah has scored 10 Champions League goals this season and now faces his old team. The dangerous Egyptian has scored in 8 of Liverpool’s 9 games driving the over 2.5 in 8 of those 10 matches.
The Pick:
Roma will come out believing in an apocalypse, but how long can they keep Liverpool of the scoreline? Liverpool is not taking this game lightly as if they have a three-goal lead:
“I can’t help anyone who thinks Roma will be easy.” -Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Coach
Liverpool has been impossible to stop this tournament and are one goal away from breaking the record for goals (45) in this competition help by Barcelona in 1999/2000. Liverpool’s defense isn’t good enough to keep Roma off the scoresheet, but Roma is not a team that is comfortable dominating possession. The home side will get caught in awkward moments while gambling to push the pace looking to close the aggregate score.The Reds prove to be too much, as they thrive on counter attacks turning defense to offense in 1-2 touches. This game will be wide open, look for a score-fest.
Play of the Day:
Liverpool Team Total Over 1.5 3x
Liverpool Pk
Both teams to score 2x
Over 3.5
A penalty in Match YES
Will a goal be scored in both halves? YES
Salah score goal 2x
Mane score goal
Both teams to score in both halves +650
Total Bookings Over 4.5
