| Roma missed a penalty and lost Francesco Totti, but a stunning Mirko Vucinic solo effort saw off Sporting Lisbon 2-1.
Luciano Spalletti said this was a decisive game for qualification, as both sides were realistically challenging for second place behind Manchester United. The Giallorossi needed a victory after their 1-0 loss at Old Trafford, but also to counteract the poor Serie A form that saw them held 4-4 by Napoli at the weekend.
Simone Perrotta failed a late fitness test on his ankle and Rodrigo Taddei, Alberto Aquilani and Mauro Esposito remained sidelined, so full-back Marco Cassetti was used in a more attacking role. Christian Panucci played his first Champions League game of the season, returning along with Juan and Alexander Doni. Sporting Lisbon dropped their goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic as punishment for his late arrival from international duty, giving Tiago the gloves.
There were worrying scenes just a few minutes in, as a free kick was touched on for Francesco Totti, who was charged down by Liedson as he pulled the trigger, taking a heavy knock to the right ankle. The captain carried on, but was clearly not moving comfortably.
Doni only parried a Miguel Veloso snapshot and the goalkeeper nearly made another howler soon after when he tried to dribble the ball outside his own area.
Ludovic Giuly spread the play for Amantino Mancini, but Totti hit a fresh air shot from six yards on the cut-back. From the resulting corner, Philippe Mexes spun round for a spectacular volley that skimmed the crossbar.
Roma were pouring forward and deservedly took the lead after 15 minutes. Another corner kick from David Pizarro found Juan's towering header from six yards, taking advatage of Tiago's mistimed run off his line.
It didn't last long, as Sporting Lisbon drew level only three minutes later. The defence was caught napping on Abel's cross for a Liedson header between two Roma jerseys that looped into the near top corner.
Totti exchanged passes with Mancini and Il Capitano placed an angled drive across the face of goal to skim the far post with his right foot. Yannick Djalo's strike was deflected wide, as both sides came forward in waves.
Giuly's shot was charged down, but the moment the fans had feared arrived when Totti requested a substitution for that ankle injury. Mirko Vucinic was the only striker at their disposal and Panucci took the captain's armband. Cassetti continued to struggle in his advanced position and Spalletti will be expected to make changes after the break.
Roma had a perfect opportunity to put the match back on track straight after the restart. Cassetti burst down the right and Vucinic was tripped between two Sporting players. With Totti off the field, Mancini took penalty duties, but second choice goalkeeper Tiago tipped it on to the upright and Roma were unable to scramble the loose ball into the net.
That incident hit Mancini's confidence hard and he volleyed well over on the inside of his right foot with only the goalkeeper to beat. The same could not be said of Sporting Lisbon, as Doni's fingertip save turned a Marat Izmailov solo effort round the upright.
The Giallorossi were unlucky on 65 minutes, as Mancini's header danced across the face of goal, but nobody could get the final touch it needed to prod it into the net.
Roma finally restored their advantage with a sensational goal from Vucinic - his first of the season! The former Lecce striker dribbled past two tackles from Izmailov and Tonel at the byline with his left foot and drilled a powerful finish into the far top corner with his right. The oft-injured player was booked for taking off his shirt in celebration, but did not seem to care, as this was a very important moment for him.
Giuly made way for midfielder Matteo Brighi and when Mancini was replaced by Cicinho, the man who missed the penalty was greeted by a mixture of applause and jeers by the home fans. Pizarro drilled wide from a promising position and Doni needed two touches to smother a powerful Veloso free kick.
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