Shandong Luneng 0 – 1 AS Roma

Shandong Luneng 0 – 1 AS Roma

Shandong Stadium (43,700)

GOAL SCORERS

DZEKO (60)

Dzeko celebrates with Kolarov as he scores the winner for AS Roma

We’re here in China for the Cup match round 2. 31,712 fans gathered here in the Shandong Stadium to watch these two teams play. AS Roma drew with Benfica in their last match while Shandon Leung managed by Darki drew their last match with Kashima Antlers.

In his pre-match conference, Fert said that the players will give their all and will fight till the last minute to ensure that they go into the third round. He wished that he had more depth but with the squad he has, he must rotate his squad well.

Shandong Luneng line up:

AS Roma line up:

First Half:

AS Roma started the match as the referee blew his whistle. It took 15 minutes until the first shot on target happened as Dzeko received a pass from Vietto and tried a shot, but the keeper got a hand to it. Vietto intercepted the goal kick and passed the ball to Gonalons but his shot bounced off the post. 25 minutes into the game, Boruc kept it scoreless as he denied Dzeko from scoring. Shandong also had a shot hit the wood work as Borriello couldn’t believe that he didn’t score. The referee blew his whistle as the scores ended 0 – 0.

Second Half:

The referee blew his whistle and AS Roma went straight into the opposition’s half. Dzeko played a pass to Vietto but Boruc was able to save Dzeko’s shot from goind in. Boruc also denied Dzeko from scoring 4 minutes later. Pellegrini got the ball from a poor goal kick and played the ball to Defrel but Defrel’s early shot went over the crossbar. In the 56th minute, the first yellow card of the game went to Borriello as he brought down Dzeko. After the substitutions were made in the 60th minute, AS Roma scored as Dzeko received a pass from Iturbe and slotted the ball past the keeper. The keeper fumbled it and the ball crossed the line. Nine minutes later, M’baye went with a low shot but it went wide of the post. In the 74th minute, Dzeko also received a yellow card after shouting at the referee for the foul not given. Within the 3 minutes, Boruc had to make a save to stop Vietto from chipping him which started a counter attack that ended with Borriello’s shot going wide. The last chance went to Castro as he had a chance to score but his shot went wide. The referee blew his whistle as the match ended with AS Roma winning 1 – 0.

FULL TIME: Shandong Luneng 0 – 1 AS Roma

MOTM: Edin Dzeko

Match Statistics:

Post Match Conference:

Reporters managed to catch Fert before he left, here’s what he had to say. “I’m very happy with the win. Dzeko once again scored the winner for us and proved why he is an important player to have. With Liverpool on Thursday, I’ll have to make sure the best squad is available to play”. Dzeko was also available to comment. “I’m glad to have scored the winning goal. I didn’t want the game to go to penalties, so I tried to be more clinical in front of goal. I hope to play against Liverpool, but the coach will have to see if I’m fit to play as I would rather avoid an injury.”