Tags:
Journalism of Courage
CFR Cluj pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over AS Roma in their Champions League debut Tuesday thanks to two goals from Argentine midfielder Juan Culio.
A 25-year-old journeyman playing his first Champions League match, Juan Culio scored in the 27th and 49th minutes after Christian Panucci had put Roma in front at the Stadio Olimpico, which will host this season8217;s final on May 27.
8220;Starting this way at this level is incredible,8221; said Cluj8217;s Italian coach, Maurizio Trombetta.
Last season, Cluj finished one point ahead of Steaua to become the first team from outside Bucharest to win the Romanian league in 17 years, then added their first Romanian Cup title as well. Roma reached the Champions League quarter-finals the past two seasons. Roma have also had a rough start to Serie A, taking only one point from their opening two matches.
8220;We did all we could to shut down Roma8217;s play on the wings, where they like to play low balls in from,8221; Trombetta said. 8220;And we continued to play like we know how to after allowing the first goal.8221;
Cluj never appeared intimidated and had two shots on goal before Roma8217;s Panucci headed in a pass from de Rossi in the 17th minute for his 13th goal in 99 European matches.
Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni had to push over the bar a powerful, rising shot from Argentine forward Sebastian Dubarbier in the 22nd and Juan Culio strode through Roma8217;s porous defence to equalise six minutes later, splitting two defenders with a diagonal shot from the edge of the area.
Two minutes later, Juan Culio struck again, pounding in a loose ball from the centre of the area with a thundering volley.
Sixto Peralta nearly made it 3-1 when his header hit the crossbar in the 71st, prompting Roma fans into a chorus of boos and whistles that only grew louder after the final whistle.
Lampard on target
IN London, Frank Lampard scored the first goal and set up two more as Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 victory over Bordeaux. Lampard punished poor marking in the Bordeaux defence to meet a cross and head the Blues in front in the 14th minute, and then provided the corner for Joe Cole to score at the near post in the 30th. Lampard8217;s backheel set up a third for Florent Malouda in the 85th minute, with Nicolas Anelka adding a fourth in the second minute of injury time to round off an impressive victory for last season8217;s finalists.
Barca, Liverpool win
FC Barcelona beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 on goals from Rafael Marquez and Xavi Hernandez and a penalty kick by Samuel Eto8217;o, while Brazilian midfielders Fernandinho and Jadson scored with long-range free-kicks in the first half to give Shakhtar Donetsk a 2-1 win at FC Basel. Steven Gerrard scored twice for Liverpool, who came from behind to win 2-1 at Marseille, and Sergio Aguero scored twice and Maniche added another to give Atletico Madrid a 3-0 win at PSV Einhoven in Group D.
