Roma were made to pay for a dreadful first half as they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at home to Basel.
Swiss champions rock Romans
Roma were made to pay for a dreadful first half as they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at home to Basel in UEFA Champions League Group E.
The Giallorossi were stunned early on, as Alexander Frei put the visitors ahead on 12 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite being completely outplayed, Roma equalised through Marco Borriello nine minutes later, before Sameul Inkoom resorted the visitors' lead just before half time.
Roma failed to make the most of their dominance in the second half and conceded a third in injury time to eventually lose 3-1 on the night.
In-form striker Borriello had the first effort on five minutes, after beating off a challenge from David Abraham, however his effort was well wide of the target.
Basel made the better start, and they deservedly stunned the Stadio Olimpico crowd on 12 minutes, as Frei hit a thunderbolt from just outside of the area, giving Bogdan Lobont no chance in goal.
Pressure
The Swiss champions continued to heap pressure on the Giallorossi, however in true Roman fashion, the hosts grabbed an equaliser just nine minutes later through Borriello, after a superb through ball by Francesco Totti.
Marco Cassetti made a driving run down the right, but his cross was cut out by Abraham, as Roma won their first corner of the match, before Totti almost scored a wonderful individual goal, after dancing his way through the Basel defence.
Frei thought he had made it 2-1 on 39 minutes, only to be correctly flagged for offside, whilst Roma finally began to assert some dominance.
Inkoom silenced the home crowd yet again on 44 minutes though, as he was played through expertly by Xherdan Shaqiri before scoring his side's second just moments before the half-time whistle.
Spirit
Roma started the second half in a positive manner, and when Totti went close with a powerful effort from distance just a few minutes in, it looked as if the Giallorossi were beginning to play with some spirit.
A promising Roma build-up ended at the feet of Rodrigo Taddei, who struck it well just inside the area, but unfortunately his effort was denied by the woodwork, as the Giallorossi continued to pile on the pressure.
Basel just could not maintain possession of the ball, as they came under constant threat by their Italian opponents, and Roma coach Claudio Ranieri made a positive change on 74 minutes - introducing Julio Baptista for Simone Perrotta.
Moments later, Matteo Brighi had a golden opportunity to equalise with a free header in the area, before Philippe Mexes was gifted the chance to score in his second successive Champions League match.
Roma stared down the barrel of a shock defeat, and went close again through Totti just two minutes from time, before all of Roma's good work was undone, as substitute Cabral easily made his way through three defenders, as he coolly slot the ball past Lobont, securing the three points.
Roma slip to the foot of the table as a result of the 3-1 defeat, whilst Basel record their first points for the group stage campaign.
| Roma |
Team Statistics |
Basel |
| 1 |
Goals |
3 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 9 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 7 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 5 |
Corners |
7 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
25 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
6 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 78.6 |
Passing Success |
79.2 |
| 20 |
Tackles |
19 |
| 85 |
Tackles Success |
63.2 |
| 51.6 |
Possession |
48.4 |
| 60 |
Territorial Advantage |
40 |
|
