Rome throws itself away. Leverkusen's draw, a result that would have been received quite well on the eve, should be understood as a semi-defeat in light of what happened at the BayArena. Crazy game like never before, fun and exciting for neutral fans, a little less for those of Roma. Who, in order, have seen their team start very badly, get up with a surge of pride, take over the field like a great one in Europe, throw themselves away in an incredible final.
Thus remains an absurd and dangerous 4-4, which complicates life in the continuation of the group. The Giallorossi remain last in the group and are looking to the next match (at the Olimpico against the Germans) as a real play-off: on November 4th they will only be able to win, vice versa their European ambitions will end up in an attic full of regrets.
“We are disappointed with how things have gone but this remains a good away point – commented Garcia. – Unfortunately we concede too many goals and the fault lies not only with the defense but with the whole team”. Defensive mistakes (not to say horrors) aside, the feeling remains of a Rome that is too fragile on a mental level, almost as if the "garden" of the Champions League, rather than creating stimuli, would generate fears that are difficult to resolve.
It can't be a coincidence that 6 of the goals conceded so far (8 in total) have come in the first half, and this regardless of the opponents. Because the Giallorossi's approach, whether they're up against Barcelona or Bate Borisov, is always wrong. Even in Leverkusen, despite the stakes, a start was staged so bad as to leave almost incredulous.
Not even 20' and Bayer were already up by 2 goals (two goals from Chicharito Hernandez, the first from a penalty), both the result of clamorous defensive errors: Torosidis's handball passes but the second (ball lost by Digne and tap in easy easy than Mexican) it is from the penal code! With their backs to the wall and one foot (abundant) out of the Champions League, Roma begins to play. Great protagonists, just like on Saturday against Empoli, De Rossi and Pjanic.
The first scores 2 robbery goals (30' and 38'), the second, after serving his partner's assist, gives his team the lead with the house specialty (now it's appropriate to say it): the free-kick from limit. The Bosnian takes them as if they were penalties so much so that his teammates do everything to get them, even through illicit means: this, for example, the propitious Nainggolan "slipping" on the opponent, all with the kind collaboration of the referee Kassai. Which, to tell the truth, has made several mistakes on both sides.
The Germans had to stay in 10 for a foul by Papadopoulos on Gervinho (clear goal chance), ditto for the Giallorossi for an intervention by Nainggolan (already booked for a clumsy simulation) on Hernandez. In any case, Roma found themselves one goal up and, in the 73rd minute, the lead even doubled: Gervinho's assist for Iago Falque and a point in the sensational 2-4. Game on ice? Not a chance. Because with this team anything is possible, even being caught up with a 2-goal lead just a few minutes from the end.
In the 84th minute Kampl caught the joker from outside the area and, 2' later, Mehmedi found the 4-4 thanks to the umpteenth ingenuity of Garcia's defensive department. And in the recovery Hernandez, in general disbelief, even came close to making it 5-4, once again showing all the limits of Roma's personality. He will have to solve them if he wants to go ahead in this Champions League which has now become very difficult: at least two victories with Bayer and Bate Borisov will be needed, results which, moreover, may not be enough.
In fact, a lot will depend on Barcelona, which on the last day (probably with no more goals in the standings) will appear in Leverkusen right after challenging the Giallorossi at the Camp Nou (and there, however, the points will still be heavy). All this because of 2' of madness, that's why in Rome, despite the away draw, it's really not the time to celebrate.
