From an impossible angle and distance, Alessandro Florenzi struck the ball with ideal accuracy, speed, and power to arch over a stranded and desperate goalkeeper, scoring one of the best individual strikes the Champion’s League has ever seen, and perhaps the goal of the season. “And they say that I simulate these actions”.
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“The goal of winning a second consecutive Champions League does not bring added pressure”, Enrique said during a news conference Tuesday. It was hard – but it was instinct, craziness and a bit of heart that allowed me to score this handsome goal.
“We did everything we could to win the game, but Roma were more effective”.
If Barcelona do manage to retain the title, they will go down in history but they could also earn close to 100 million euros ($112mn) in prize money and television income.
Roma, with Szczesny between the posts, have made a strong start to the Serie A campaign, notably beating Juventus 2-1 two weeks ago to sit two points off the pace of unbeaten leaders Inter Milan ahead of this weekend’s round of matches.
Despite a series of counter-attacks by Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah offering promise early on, Barcelona gradually settled into their trademark possession and passing game to leave the Stadio Olimpico eerily silent as fans watched in awe.
Theo Walcott got a late consolation goal for Arsenal to make the final score 2-1.
But his most telling contribution came on 21 minutes, when he backed into Lucas Digne, causing the Frenchman to fall. The lead was cancelled out later on in the first half with Alessandro Florenzi’s wonder goal from fifty-five yards which could be a contender for Goal Of The Season award.
Roma started the game with players of 10 different nationalities.
Barcelona were then denied a possible penalty when Szczesny missed the ball completely when he was at full stretch to deny Suarez at the Uruguayan’s feet.
The hosts drew level in spectacular fashion just after the half-hour mark.
Other great Champions League goals that you need to see]. I just put my hands over my face’.
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Roma are a terrific team with a very capable defence, and Messi troubled the Italians relatively often. But the sides had to settle for a lone point each regardless and will instead have to collect their wins against Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov.
