'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwb/2gAIAQEAAAAAjn//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG/9oACAECEAAAADn/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAfEAACAQQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQDBRESACEGE2L/2gAIAQEAAT8Ap2+0L6UqxpDKNlfWqNnz9a5XHfEiePKihrCjkDtjJfJ5/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDFDL/2gAIAQIBAT8AuzJaP//EABcRAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECACH/2gAIAQMBAT8AqlDu/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We got the upset of the month last night as AS Roma knocked out FC Barcelona to make the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Their stunning display was not only good for Seria A but for football in general. We all love stories where teams that were written off come back to win games that are presumed to be dead rubbers
Also read: 3 things that went wrong for Barcelona against A.S. Roma
Though tactics had a lot to do with the game, there were a few key players who helped execute it. Here are a few players who influenced the historic game last night...
#1 Edin Dzeko
Let's start with the obvious one. Here is a man who was discarded by Manchester City and was about to join Chelsea in the winter transfer window. He had a hand in two goals and was a constant threat to Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique with his surging runs.
He timed his run to perfection and played the perfect target man that Roma needed. He scored the first one by calming prodding the ball over ter Stegen's shoulder which many strikers would have fluffed by going for power. He earned the penalty with a pretty good run and quite easily outmuscled Pique.
Full marks to Dzeko for having gotten into a position where Pique was forced to foul and give away a penalty. On the night, he was simply unstoppable.
#2 Daniel De Rossi
The man who scored an own goal in the previous fixture did more than just score a penalty to repair the damage. He was supreme in the fixture, playing at the base of the midfield and dictating play. A year older to Iniesta, he showed his opposite number that age has nothing to do while pulling strings from midfield.
The 34-year old World Cup winner played Dzeko through with an exquisite ball that landed right in between Umtiti and Pique. He switched play from one wing to the other with his brilliant diagonals and allowed Kevin Strootman, Kolarov and Radja Nainggolan to press Barcelona up the field.
When his team needed him the most, he stepped up and dispatched the penalty with ease.
#3 Aleksandar Kolarov
It is kind of funny to see two Manchester City rejects help a team progress to the semi-final while City have been dumped out at the quarters. Kolarov has the highest number of assists for Roma this season (Seria A and Champions League) and his lung-busting runs on the wing caused a lot of problems for Barcelona last night.
He even had a penalty shout during the early stages of the game. It is safe to say his pressing and constant runs kept Nelson Semedo on the edge.
#4 Lionel Messi
He was needed the most by Barcelona today. One goal was all that was needed to knock Roma out. However, he could not produce anything that was near his standards. He had two free kicks that were in a position that is right up his alley.
His trademark, mazy runs were absent and he couldn't really link up with Suarez to produce anything noteworthy. Was certainly an off day and it also shows how much Barcelona have missed Neymar, especially with Suarez not what he was when he joined Barcelona.
#5 Gerard Pique
He was made to look ordinary by Dzeko. Not only should he have dealt with the first goal better, he should have been aware of Dzeko's position for the second. It was a disastrous night for the Spaniard as apart from the two goals he could not handle crosses that came in from the wing to Dzeko and Patrik Schick.
Schick, the 22-year old Czech, let Barcelona off in the first half with by glancing a header wide, the cross came in from the right wing. That moment was a sign of things to come for Pique and co.
#6 Kostas Manolas
Here is another man that scored an away goal at Barcelona in the first leg and the fact that he scored the decisive goal would have definitely exercised his demons. Not only did his celebrations show how passionate he was about the team, his tears when Roma fans sang "Grazie Roma" says it all about the defender.
He was instrumental in keeping Barcelona's attack quiet. The goal he scored was absolutely brilliant, considering he was away from the goal, angling the header into the net at such a speed required good skill.
#7 Nelson Semedo
Look at the picture above, that's Semedo on his knees. He knew it immediately, the moment the ball was in the net, it was his fault. He should have marked Manolas better but all he could offer was lousy marking.
It was obvious that Manolas wanted it more. Had Semedo been closer to the Greek or even ahead, Barcelona could have been in the semi-finals.
