Zaniolo bags brace as Roma claim first-leg win

Teenage sensation Nicolo Zaniolo bagged a brace as Roma beat Porto 2-1 in their Champions League last 16, first-leg clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old got his first ever Champions League goal in the 70th minute in Rome, adding a second six minutes later to inflict a first defeat on Porto in this year's top-tier European competition. But Adrian Lopez pulled a vital goal back for the Portuguese club after 79 minutes to ensure they remain in the hunt going into their home leg on May 6.

“It's an incredible night, I'm speechless and never would have expected such a thing,” Zaniolo told Sky Sport Italia.

“But we've got the second leg coming up, we shouldn't have conceded the goal.”

The night belonged to the youngster from Tuscany who has become a fan favourite since arriving from Inter Milan, where he never played a top-flight game, in exchange for Radja Nainggolan last summer.

On Tuesday, he was given an ovation by an ecstatic home crowd who see him as the heir to club legend Francesco Totti.

The match sparked into life midway through the second half as Zaniolo netted with a precise finish after Edin Dzeko's lay-off.

He soon had his second when Dzeko went on the counter-attack, his shot bouncing off the post with Zaniolo on hand to tap in the rebound.

“Celebrating under the 'curva' is an extraordinary feeling," said Zaniolo. "I can't describe it. I hope to score many more.”

“Zaniolo is not a surprise any more,” said Roma captain Daniele De Rossi.

Eusebio Di Francesco's Roma, last year's semi-finalists, had fallen to the Portuguese club in both their previous meetings, most recently the 2016 play-off round in qualifying.

Before Zaniolo's heroics, the match had been a lacklustre affair between two sides who had both eased through the group stage.

There had been tensions however between Porto coach Sergio Conceicao, a former Lazio player, and fans from their arch-rivals Roma.

A furious row also erupted between Conceicao and Di Francesco, a former Roma player, on the touchline.

Di Francesco praised “one of the best performances of the season from a collective point of view” from his team, who as so often conceded a goal quickly after going ahead.

The hosts had the best of the first half with veteran Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas denying Aleksandar Kolarov and Lorenzo Pellegrini off the rebound.

Dzeko looked destined to break the deadlock on 38 minutes when he beat the Porto defence only to blast a shot against the post.

Roma stepped up the pressure after the break, with Zaniolo setting up Bryan Cristante who wove his way through, again forcing a Casillas save.

A Danilo Pereira header flew wide, with Casillas on hand to parry a low Pellegrini effort, before Zaniolo broke through with his double to become the youngest Italian to score in the Champions League.

Lopez pulled a goal back for Porto three minutes later as the Roma defence were caught out by Tiquinho Soares' miscued volley, before Hector Herrera curled wide and Aleksandar Kolarov missed a chance late for a third for the hosts.

 

Zaniolo bags brace as Roma claim first-leg win

Teenage sensation Nicolo Zaniolo bagged a brace as Roma beat Porto 2-1 in their Champions League last 16, first-leg clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday. The 19-year-old got his first ever Champions League goal in the 70th minute in Rome, adding a second six minutes later to inflict a first defeat on Porto in this years top-tier European competition. But Adrian Lopez pulled a vital goal back for the Portuguese club after 79 minutes to ensure they remain in the hunt going into their home leg on May 6. Its an incredible night, Im speechless and never would have expected such a thing, Zaniolo told Sky Sport Italia. But weve got the second leg coming up, we shouldnt have conceded the goal. The night belonged to the youngster from Tuscany who has become a fan favourite since arriving from Inter Milan, where he never played a top-flight game, in exchange for Radja Nainggolan last summer. On Tuesday, he was given an ovation by an ecstatic home crowd who see him as the heir to club legend Francesco Totti. The match sparked into life midway through the second half as Zaniolo netted with a precise finish after Edin Dzekos lay-off. He soon had his second when Dzeko went on the counter-attack, his shot bouncing off the post with Zaniolo on hand to tap in the rebound. Celebrating under the curva is an extraordinary feeling, said Zaniolo. I cant describe it. I hope to score many more. Zaniolo is not a surprise any more, said Roma captain Daniele De Rossi. Eusebio Di Francescos Roma, last years semi-finalists, had fallen to the Portuguese club in both their previous meetings, most recently the 2016 play-off round in qualifying. Before Zaniolos heroics, the match had been a lacklustre affair between two sides who had both eased through the group stage. There had been tensions however between Porto coach Sergio Conceicao, a former Lazio player, and fans from their arch-rivals Roma. A furious row also erupted between Conceicao and Di Francesco, a former Roma player, on the touchline. Di Francesco praised one of the best performances of the season from a collective point of view from his team, who as so often conceded a goal quickly after going ahead. The hosts had the best of the first half with veteran Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas denying Aleksandar Kolarov and Lorenzo Pellegrini off the rebound. Dzeko looked destined to break the deadlock on 38 minutes when he beat the Porto defence only to blast a shot against the post. Roma stepped up the pressure after the break, with Zaniolo setting up Bryan Cristante who wove his way through, again forcing a Casillas save. A Danilo Pereira header flew wide, with Casillas on hand to parry a low Pellegrini effort, before Zaniolo broke through with his double to become the youngest Italian to score in the Champions League. Lopez pulled a goal back for Porto three minutes later as the Roma defence were caught out by Tiquinho Soares miscued volley, before Hector Herrera curled wide and Aleksandar Kolarov missed a chance late for a third for the hosts.