Second-half blitz

AS Roma destroys Barca 3-0 in Champions League

Patrick Kluivert (right) is stopped by Roma's Jonathan Zebina. AP

ROME (AP) -- An unintentional heel deflection by Emerson, a beautiful goal by second-half substitute Vincenzo Montella and a late drive by Damiano Tommasi gave AS Roma a 3-0 triumph against Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona in Tuesday's fourth rotation of the Champions League, boosting the Roman team's chances to qualify for the quarterfinals.

"In the first half we were fearful and inaccurate, missing too many passes. In the second period we were more aggressive, played good soccer and finally outpaced Barcelona," Roma coach Fabio Capello said.

Emerson, Roma's Brazilian midfielder, deflected a powerful drive by French teammate Vincent Candela that was heading wide in the 61st minute.

Montella, who came out of the substitute bench in the 46th to replace Marco Delvecchio, made it two in the 74th at Rome's Olympic stadium.

Montella, who missed the first half of the season following a knee injury, beat Barcelona defender Philippe Christanval and scored with a curled right shot.

Montella had also scored Roma's game-winning goal in last Saturday's match against Perugia. The 1-0 victory regained the Roman team the lead in the Serie A standings, in a tie with Internazionale.

Tommasi, also fielded as substitute in the second half, sealed Roma's victory with a powerful, precise drive in injury time.

"We are first now; that's a better position than before. But we must be aware that we'll have another tough task in the next match," Capello said.

Roma's first win in four Group B matches gave the Italian team an undisputed lead in the four-team standings with six points.

Roma was one point ahead of Barcelona, which suffered its first loss. Turkey's Galatasaray has four points and Liverpool has three.

In the first half, Barcelona's off-side trap frustrated Roma's offense, led by Argentine veteran striker Gabriel Batustuta.

With the support of Montella, Roma's attacks turned quicker and more dangerous in the second half.

The Italian team, supported by a sold-out crowd, took momentum following the opening, lucky goal. It added another goal through Montella, squandered an easy scoring chance by captain Francesco Totti in the 85th, and carried fans away with Tommasi's closing goal.

Barcelona, which held Roma to a 1-1 draw in their previous match last week, did not produce any clear chance as forwards Rivaldo and Patrick Kluivert were shutout by the Roma defense.

Roma takes on Galatasaray in Rome on March 13. It will complete Group B matches at Liverpool on March 19.

Capello happy after Roma crushes Barca

Roma coach Fabio Capello was a satisfied man after Roma's 3-0 demolition of Barcelona on Tuesday sent out a warning to their Champions League rivals.

Second-half goals from Emerson, Vincenzo Montella and Damiano Tommasi sent the Italian champions top of Group B and made it a miserable night for the Catalan team.

"We were a bit anxious at the beginning but the game went according to plan and when Montella entered, it was decisive for us," Capello said.

"I told the players that we had to be more aggressive in the second-half and it worked well.

"We are not guaranteed anything although I am happy with where we are in the table. We must now think only of the next game against Lecce because being at the top of Serie A is of great importance."

Barcelona coach Carles Rexach admitted his side lost the game in midfield.

"We could not handle them in the middle of the park," said Rexach. "They did not allow us time to play our game, which has always been to attack, not to look back.

"The game was over when Roma scored their second goal and I am concerned with the way we are playing at the moment."

Montella, who scored the only goal against Perugia last week and joined the game as a second half substitute, has been frustrated at times with his seemingly peripheral role in the side.

But as he eases his way back to fitness after almost three months out following knee surgery, Montella was happy just to savor Roma's victory.

"It's not for me to decide whether I play, that is for the coach to say," said Montella.

"But right now I feel like an important player in the team and that is all that matters on such a great night.

"To score is always beautiful and I know if I play I can score."

Summary

AS Roma 3 Barcelona 0 -- result

Champions League second stage, Group B

Scorers: Emerson 60, Vincenzo Montella 73, Damiano Tommasi 90

Halftime: 0-0; Attendance: 69,869

Teams:

Roma: 1-Francesco Antonioli; 19-Walter Samuel, 15-Jonathan Zebina, 14-Christian Panucci; 2-Cafu, 32-Vincent Candela, 11-Emerson, 5-Lima; 10-Francesco Totti (18-Antonio Cassano 87); 20-Gabriel Batistuta (17-Damiano Tommasi 72), 24 Marco Delvecchio (9-Vincenzo Montella 46)

Barcelona: 13-Jose Manuel Reina; 24-Carles Puyol, 3-Frank de Boer, 17-Phillipe Christanval, 12-Sergi (6-Xavi 77); 21-Luis Enrique (15-Fabio Rochemback 82), 14 Gerard, 8-Phillip Cocu, 28-Thiago Motta (11-Marc Overmars 63); 10-Rivaldo; 9-Patrick Kluivert.

Referee: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)

 

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