Roma and Leverkusen Give Another GREAT Football Match that the Romans EDGE

Two matches, two great pieces of entertainment. While some teams were determined to bore me into another lifetime, Roma and Leverkusen actually appreciated those of us who want to see an entertaining match. And they delivered again tonight, where Roma looked comfortable and then almost gave the game away, only to be handed a deserved penalty and get a huge win over Leverkusen.







What has made these matches so great is the way in which both teams play. The word solid or defense does not apply to them at all. As far as going forward and creating chances, they are very good at doing that. Roma do so in the passing sense, of trying to use every player on the pitch, whilst Leverkusen are more direct and have their key weapons that seek to cut open the opposition to play balls in to their hot striker, Chicharito.

Leverkusen, for some strange reason, started off playing a crazy defensive style which was totally pimped up by the speed of Gervinho and Salah who were able to cut them open. I have no idea why Schmidt persisted with playing such an open game with inexperienced defenders against a team that are known for their great passing and are extremely deadly if you give them space. Roma really should have put in three or four in that first half, but thankfully the football gods something better in store for us.

The tall German whose name shall not be named but is part of the Brick Academy, was thankfully substituted for Bellarabi, and that change completely changed the whole dynamic of the game. His skills, speed and willingness to take the game to the full-back now put Roma under proper pressure for the first time in the game, and in a few moments, Leverkusen got themselves back in the game and the entire climate of the match had changed. It was now a situation in which Leverkusen could have scored two more with Roma being shellshocked and not knowing how to react to the sudden onslaught they were coming under. But then another crucial change to the match came when Bellarabi went off injured.

Once that happened, Roma no longer had to worry about that flank threat and could play with more intensity. Kramer just doesn't carry the same kind of danger that Bellarabi does. It was now a case of who was going to get that break with both sides both going at it. Finally, Roma were able to use their passing to cut through a Leverkusen defense that isn't the staunchest. A penalty, and a goal converted by Jesse Pinkman's brother, Pjanic. An amazing football match decided by a penalty, and even though I would not say Roma were deserved winners, they contributed to my excitement of watching this game so I you won't hear me demeaning their win.

To win the Champions League, you can't play this way. This is purely unadulterated excitement, nothing more. As far as seriously trying to go far in the competition, better teams won't allow Roma or Leverkusen that kind of space and those teams as well would punish them severely if they defend in the way that they did. So forget about them winning this competition, but instead just be thankful that there are teams who want to go out and play. In truth, neither Roma or Leverkusen would dare play this open against PSG, Barcelona or Bayern, as you have to adjust based on the level of opponent you are going up against. Seeing that they are both doing battle for second place and are at both the same level, then it does make sense that they would play this way and be brave enough to attack so freely in order to try and outscore the other.

All I can say is that they made this football fan happy, and I applaud what I saw, and the manner in which they played the greatest sport in the world.

A victory for Football.


HH