The most prestigious club competition in the world of soccer is getting closer to crowning a champion.
Just four teams remain in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League campaign and we are all set for two enticing semifinal matchups. On one side of the draw, Liverpool and Roma clash in a battle of overachieving teams. In the other semifinal, two titans of Europe collide when Bayern Munich take on holders Real Madrid.
Liverpool advanced to the final four with a convincing aggregate win over Premier League champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s men were heavily favored to qualify over their English rivals, but were handily defeated in both legs. Liverpool set the tone with a 3-0 first leg win at Anfield before following it up with a 2-1 win at the Etihad.
SIGN UP for a FREE 30-day trial of DAZN and watch Champions League matches
Roma were even bigger underdogs against traditional powerhouse Barcelona. Those odds got even steeper after Lionel Messi and co. put on a masterclass performance at Camp Nou in the first leg, securing a 4-1 advantage to bring to Rome. Very few gave the Romans a chance to advance, but Eusebio Di Francesco’s men outplayed Barcelona at Stadio Olimpico and defender Kostas Manolas scored in the 82nd minute to give Roma a 3-0 win on the night, enough to advance on away goals.
The Champions League draw pitted the two sides against each other, in what should be a thrilling tie. It will be even more special for Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, who will square off against his former club for the first time since leaving for Anfield last summer. Salah has been a sensation in England this season, reaching 40 goals in all competitions for the Reds.
We’ll be opponents for 180 minutes, but whatever happens we’ll remain friends for life. Looking forward to seeing you again, @22mosalah! 👋#ASRoma #UCL #RomaLiverpool pic.twitter.com/eo0Rm4VWW9
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) April 13, 2018
Edin Dzeko, formerly of Manchester City, will lead the line for Roma. Dzeko scored the team’s vital away goal in the quarterfinals at Camp Nou and got things rolling with a sixth-minute strike in the return leg. The Bosnian striker scored three goals in 11 games against Liverpool during his four and a half year spell at Man City, but none of them came in a win.
Here is more information about the semifinal tie between Liverpool and Roma:
UEFA Champions League Semifinals: Liverpool vs. Roma
First Leg
Tuesday, April 24
| Liverpool vs. Roma | 2:45 p.m. ET | Anfield |
Second Leg
Wednesday, May 2
| Roma vs. Liverpool | 2:45 p.m. ET | Stadio Olimpico |
Head-to-head record
Liverpool and Roma have played five previous matches against each other in European competition, but it’s been over 15 years since the two sides met. The most recent fixture was in the debut season (2001-02) of the UEFA Champions League, when the sides squared off in the second group stage (of the old format). Liverpool picked up a 2-0 home win and earned a 0-0 draw in Rome, finishing second in the group behind Barcelona to advance to the quarterfinals.
The year before, Liverpool found similar success against Roma in the UEFA Cup fourth round (Round of 16). Michael Owen scored twice in the Reds’ 2-0 first leg win at Stadio Olimpico and Liverpool held on for an aggregate victory despite a 1-0 defeat at Anfield. The English side would go on to win the trophy, defeating Spanish side Alaves 5-4 in the final via extra time.
Liverpool also lifted the 1984 European Cup after defeating Roma in the final at the Stadio Olimpico. The match finished 1-1 after regulation and the two teams played a scoreless 30 minutes of extra time to send to the match to penalties. Liverpool won the shootout 4-2 to claim its fourth European Cup.
It was heartbreak for Roma, which has never won a UEFA organized competition. The Romans lost their only other appearance in a final, the 1991 UEFA Cup, to Italian rival Inter Milan. Meanwhile, Liverpool have won Europe’s top competition five times, most recently in 2005 when the Reds pulled off the “Miracle of Istanbul.” The Reds trailed AC Milan 3-0 at the half, but scored three goals in a six-minute span in the second period to send the game to extra time. Liverpool eventually won 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
How to watch Liverpool vs. Roma in the UEFA Champions League Semifinals
Both matches will be streamed on DAZN. Click here for a free one-month-trial.
What is DAZN?
DAZN is a revolutionary live sports streaming service that lets fans watch their sport, their way. With access to the world’s best sports including top European football, the NFL, Major League Baseball, KHL hockey, WTA tennis, PGA golf, boxing, tennis, darts and more, fans can watch their favourite teams, leagues and players at home or on the go for an affordable price.
DAZN features the widest array of live sports ever offered on one TV service and has the ability to play, pause and rewind any game live or on-demand.
DAZN has apps available for all of the following platforms: Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android Phone & Tablet, iPhone & iPad, Android TV, LG, Smart TV, Panasonic Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, SmartCast, Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 Pro, and Roku.
Be the first to comment