Roma – Shakhtar D. 3-0

Mind you, the opponent was not easy and, if we won large, it is because we played very well, unlike the last few victories. We are good in the defensive phase with Karsdorp on Taison, with Cristante important game builder even with the throws beyond the defensive line (and on this the reading of Paulo Fonseca was perfect) and with Pau Lopez, very good at parrying a close shot of the Ukrainian - Brazilians, which could have been a bad one, for us, 1-1.

We had taken the lead with Pellegrini on an excellent assist from Pedrito. 1-0. Borja is good at catching El Shaarawi, but then he is perfect at dribbling two opponents and birding Trubin with a shot below. 2-0. And then the usual Mancini, from a corner kick, on Cristante's tower. 3-0.

On the other hand, the situation of the Italians as usual in the knock-out round is quite negative. Juventus have been eliminated. Lazio, less than miracles, the same. Atalanta must make a great game in the home of Real. AC Milan have a good chance of going through with Manchester UTD, which further demonstrates the growth of the Rossoneri this year, but they absolutely need to be very careful.

The only ones ALMOST certain to pass are us. We have our dinner set, but still we bring something to digest in Ukraine. The sense of what I write is that the situation is in our favor, but it would be wrong to go to Ukraine as if it were an holyday. There are also other teams in the Europa League that aspire like us to final success such as Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester UTD, Milan, Ajax and Villareal, but now the thought must be turned to Parma: a team that has hungry, with good technical quality and that we must subdue. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi