Roma 3-1 Chelsea

[BlueLion. 21,491]

AS Roma 3 - 1 Chelsea F.C.

November 4 2008, UEFA Champions League, Stadio Olimpico, Rome



Mirko Vucinic scored a brilliant brace as an under-pressure Roma side toppled Chelsea.

The Blues, buoyed by a 3-0 victory at Hull and then a 5-0 demolition of Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, were outclassed by a passionate performance from the hosts, who had endured a terrible start to the season. An early goal scored by former Chelsea defender Christian Panucci put Roma ahead at the interval, before a quick fire brace at the start of the second period from Vucinic effectively sealed the win. John Terry netted a late consolation for the Blues, but a second yellow card for midfield maestro Deco meant that Chelsea's lead at the top of Group A is reduced to just a single point - but a win against Bordeaux will still see them qualify.

With Ashley Cole out for up to two weeks, Wayne Bridge stepped in at full-back in what was an otherwise-unchanged starting eleven for Scolari's in-form side. Roma welcomed back inspirational captain Francesco Totti from injury, as John Arne Riise was relegated to the bench as Cicinho was restored to a defence that conceded two goals to Juventus at the weekend.

And the opening exchanges echoed the form demonstrated by the two teams, as Chelsea were the dominant side; enjoying the lion's share of possession. They signalled their intent on nine minutes as a fierce drive from Deco tested Brazilian goalkeeper Doni, who palmed the ball away sensibly. The heavens had unleashed a hail of water on the Stadio Olimpico turf and long-range shooting appeared to be Chelsea's preferred way of testing the Roma stopper, as Malouda's pull back a few minutes later saw Deco have another attempt from range, but his effort was well-blocked by a Roma defender.

Roma were on the back foot, and another effort from distance - this time from Frank Lampard - forced a smart save from Doni, as the ball zipped off the wet surface. The goalkeeper punched away another effort from the England midfielder, but it was Roma who took the lead of 34 minutes, against the run of play. After Mikel had given the ball away, Deco's late challenge led to a Roma free kick, which was cleverly taken wide to Cicinho, whose cross evaded the Chelsea defence and was tapped in by Panucci. It was a sloppy goal to concede, but it was brilliantly worked by the Italian side that had defended resolutely throughout.

And they doubled their lead minutes after the restart with a phenomenal strike from Vucinic. Collecting a Brighi pass from the left, he took no hesitation in smashing the ball into the net beyond a diving Petr Cech, who was beaten by the sheer brilliance of the strike. Whilst not a deserved lead, Roma were demonstrating their fight and underlined their lethality in front of goal, as well as their ability to create clear-cut chances - something the visitors had failed to do.

The goal shocked Chelsea, who had been unlucky to go behind, but individual mistakes were being apparent and a hint of complacency was about the away side. And as they went forward looking for a goal that would get them back into the game, they conceded a third that dashed their hopes of qualifying at such an early stage.

Vucinic again broke down the left, and a sliding tackle from Mikel that was mistimed allowed the big striker a free run at goal, and the Roma forward finished past Cech with aplomb. Didier Drogba, a half-time substitute, attempted to lead a Chelsea rally but his reply was a weak free kick that was straight into the arms of Doni.

Chelsea did find a possible route back into the game on 75 minutes when John Terry finished after Doni had spilled an effort Deco, but the ridiculous sending off of the later four minutes later added further woe to a fruitless performance from Scolari's side, but the Blues will be confident of progression with a home tie with Cluj to follow a trip to France to play Bordeaux.
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Roma: Doni, Cicinho, Mexes, Juan, Panucci, Perrotta (Taddei), De Rossi, Brighi, Pizarro, Totti (Julio Baptista), Vucinic (Riise)

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Kalou), Terry, Alex, Bridge, Deco, Mikel, Lampard, Joe Cole (Belletti), Anelka, Malouda (Drogba)

Attendance: 38,425

Star Man : Mirko Vucinic