MX23RW : Monday, January 27 04:23:24| >> :120:65298:65298:
[monks data]
Attendance: 51,727
Roma logo
Champions League | Round of 16
Feb 12, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Porto

2-1

Zaniolo (70', 76')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Lopez (79')

Di Francesco knows his side cannot afford to go for draw at Porto

Di Francesco knows his side cannot afford to go for draw at Porto
© Reuters
Nicolo Zaniolo struck twice in the space of six second-half minutes but the visitors hit back with a late goal against Roma.

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco knows his side cannot afford to try to defend a slender lead after Nicolo Zaniolo's double helped to edge out Porto 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The Italian side had looked well set to after Zaniolo struck twice in the space of six second-half minutes, Edin Dzeko having hit the post in the first half.

However, Porto, who had progressed as Group D winners, gave themselves something to take into the return leg at Estadio do Dragao on March 6 when Lopez Adrian fired in a half-volley with 11 minutes to go.

"We won't play to defend a draw, that would be the biggest mistake," Di Francesco said at a press conference.

"We'll go there to score goals. We've got to be daring. The games are always open."

Di Francesco continued: "There was a lot of solidity from the team and we knew what we wanted.

"We hit them at the right time, and created many situations, giving away very little. Too bad for us conceding the goal, because it is not really our mistake."

The Roma boss was impressed with Zaniolo's display, showing great composure to tuck home a second goal after a shot from Dzeko dropped to him off the post.

"He played in a role that is not his, but he did a great game," Di Francesco said.

"We have a strong player and we knew it. He has to manage all of this with the balance he is showing on the field."

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao feels his men can take confidence into the second leg.

"The players reacted (to going 2-0 down) like I expected them to – with character, personality and knowing that there are 90 more minutes in Estadio do Dragao," he said.

"Our goal leaves it all open for the second leg. A draw would have been the fair result.

"Let's keep this defensive strength at home and be more focused on attack like we were in the second half today."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '05a59522-ee93-4f11-a430-f99437a91586');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Di Francesco knows his side cannot afford to go for draw at Porto'});

ID:350191: cacheID:350191:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4858:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aleksandar Kolarov in action for Roma on November 27, 2018
Read Next:
Daniele De Rossi keen for resolution to Aleksandar Kolarov's rift with fans
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool770021
QBarcelona760118
3Inter Milan751116
4Arsenal751116
5Atletico750215
6AC Milan750215
7Atalanta742114
8B. Leverkusen741213
9Monaco741213
10Brest741213
11Aston Villa741213
12Lille741213
13Feyenoord741213
14Dortmund740312
15Real Madrid740312
16Bayern740312
17Juventus733112
18Celtic733112
19PSV732211
20Brugge732211
21Benfica731310
22PSG731310
23Sporting Lisbon731310
24Stuttgart731310
25Man City72238
26Dinamo Zagreb72238
27Shakhtar72147
28Bologna71245
29Sparta Prague71154
30Sturm Graz71063
31RB Leipzig71063
32Girona71063
33Red Star71063
34Salzburg71063
35Slovan Bratislava70070
36Young Boys70070


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!