Second-half goals from Philippe Mexes and Marco Borriello saw Roma beat Cluj in Champions League Group E.
Mexes and Borriello goals seal Roma win, Rada nets consolation
Quick-fire second-half goals from Philippe Mexes and Marco Borriello saw Roma beat CFR Cluj in UEFA Champions League Group E.
The Romanian champions posted a shock 2-1 win in the Stadio Olimpico two years ago and again tested Roma on Tuesday, with Lacina Traore twice hitting the woodwork for the visitors before Mexes (69) and substitute Borriello (71) netted.
Ionut Rada pulled one back (78) and Cluj then pressed for an equaliser but Claudio Ranieri's side held on for a nervy win to register their first points of the campaign.
Juan Culio, who netted a brace in Cluj's victory two years ago, had the first attempt on five minutes but his effort went wide of Bogden Lobont's left post, while he then blasted wide from just outside the area soon afterwards.
Emil Dica put a long distance effort over for the visitors on 12 minutes before Roma could not capitalise on a well-worked free-kick at the other end, with keeper Simoes Nuno Claro gathering.
Nuno Claro was then able to push away Jeremy Menez's cross from the right ahead of the lurking Mirko Vucinic before Fraga Edimar shot over for Cluj.
David Pizarro put a powerful low effort wide, while a swift counter-attack saw Traore outmuscle Nicolas Burdisso before hitting the underside of the bar on the half-hour mark.
Inspired goalkeeping
Nuno Claro denied Vucinic three times before parrying a Francesco Totti effort, and the inspired keeper saved from Cicinho and Totti as the first period finished goalless.
Roma boss Ranieri brought on Brazilian striker Adriano for Menez as the second period got underway but Nuno Claro continued his fine form, diving low to his left to deny Pizarro's long-range effort.
Traore then hit the woodwork again, lashing a powerful effort from the edge of the box onto Lobont's right post after Hora's assist.
Nuno Claro saved Vucinic's free-kick and De Rossi shot over, before Ranieri made a double substitution, bringing on Borriello and Marco Cassetti for Vucinic and Cicinho as the home supporters became increasingly vocal at the lack of a breakthrough.
Emmanuel Kone came on for Edimar for the visitors but Roma went ahead almost immediately afterwards as the unmarked Mexes slotted home Pizarro's pulled back corner.
Burriello then added a second two minutes later, showing great technique to volley home De Rossi's long ball, but Cluj refused to give up.
Rada headed in from Culio's delivery and Dica drew a save from Lobont as the visitors pressed for an equaliser but Roma held on for their first points in Group E to draw level with Cluj behind leaders Bayern Munich, who won in Basel in the group's other game on Tuesday.
