Head and heart to make history. Roma cherish the dream of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League, a goal that has been missing for 10 years (it was Manchester United that eliminated them) and which would launch them among the top 8 in Europe, opening up scenarios of all kinds. Between saying and doing, however, there is Shakhtar Donetsk, a team that has already eliminated Napoli and which promises to enhance the 2-1 of the first leg.
The result in Kharkiv can be reversed, there's no doubt about that, but a goal from the Ukrainians would make the mission rather complicated: that's why qualification remains wide open and requires maximum effort, both technically and mentally, to be won.
“It's not a match to manage, you need carelessness and we shouldn't be wait-and-see – Di Francesco's analysis. – We want quarterfinals at all costs, it would be important for me, for the team and for the environment. This time, however, we won't be able to make mistakes in the defensive phase, balance and intelligence will be needed as well as a good dose of courage".
The Giallorossi coach is aware of how much this challenge can change the season, in one sense or another. Passing it on to the group can be the decisive discriminant for qualification: too many times, in fact, Roma's troubles started from the head.
“It's a match that can be worth a lot for us – admitted Florenzi. – It will be important to manage your forces for 90', but always trying to go full throttle then. We have to unlock it and immediately give the right impulse”.
A lot of energy on the Giallorossi front but Shakhtar are not joking at all. The Ukrainians dream of a qualification that would give prestige to their history, as well as greater depth to the entire football movement in the country.
“You are off track if you think we will play a defensive match – thought Fonseca. – We are here to impose our game, as always, not to close in and manage the result of the first leg. A very difficult race awaits us but we are prepared and, above all, motivated”.
In short, an open and balanced match, to be faced with the best possible formations, obviously net of injuries and suspensions. Di Francesco will have to give up De Rossi (he was warned and got booked), for the rest he will field the 4-3-3 type with Alisson in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio and Kolarov in defense, Nainggolan, Pellegrini and Strootman in midfield , Under, Dzeko and El Shaarawy in attack.
The same game system also for Fonseca, who will respond with Pyatov in goal, Butko, Ordets, Rakitskiy and Ismaily in the back, Fred, Taison and Stepanenko in the midfield, Marlos, Bernard and Ferreyra in the offensive trident. Olympic full but far from being sold out: tickets sold are 41, so the setting will be important but not up to an eighth of the Champions League. The city believes it relatively, Di Francesco and hers have the task of convincing it, once and for all.
