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Roma have secured second spot in the table with a 1-1 away draw against CFR Cluj to book their ticket for the knockout stages of the Champions League. A Marco Borriello strike in the first half gave the Giallorossi the lead, but Lacina Traore restored parity after the interval. The Italians started the match the better side of the match and came close to opening the score for the first time when Francesco Totti fired a free kick just over the bar after only 11 minutes of play. Minutes later, Paolo Castellini got a chance to break the deadlock after a good run forward, but the left back failed to get a shot in. For Cluj, Yssouf Kone was the first to test the Roma goalkeeper with a low shot after a good individual move. However, Bogdan Lobont was alert and picked up the shot with ease. Roma deservedly opened the score in the 21st minute. Lacina Traore lost possession and Fabio Simplicio reached Marco Borriello with a superb pass down the right. The Milan loanee didn't hesitate and found the back of the net with a low shot in the far corner. The home side really should have drawn things level again in the dying minutes of the first half via Roberto de Zerbi. Left back Edimar sent in a perfect cross for the Italian, but De Zerbi failed to beat Lobont with a powerful shot from hardly ten yards out. The Lupi started the second half like they started the first and Nicolas Burdisso almost doubled Roma's lead only five minutes after the interval. The Argentina defender was left totally unmarked after a corner kick, but the Cluj goalie managed to tip his header over the bar. Daniele de Rossi and Borriello both came close to finding the net as well, but De Rossi aimed just wide, while Borriello's shot sailed just over the bar. Borriello was denied by the Cluj shot stopper only minutes later, while Totti fired just wide from a narrow angle after being set up by Borriello. Cluj almost levelled the score at the hour mark via De Zerbi. Traore set up his Italian teammate with an intelligent lay-off, but the attacker's shot went inches over the crossbar. Traore really should have scored the equalizer in the 77th minute, but the Ivory Coast starlet's header was way too weak to trouble Lobont. Again Traore aimed his header over the bar with five more minutes to go to waste another good chance. Traore finally added his name to the score sheet in the dying minutes of the game to level the score. Culio sent in a superb cross from the right and the towering striker beat his marker to the ball before heading the equalizer past Lobont. The Romanians' European campaign has come to an end after tonight's match against Roma. They've finished in fourth position in the table with four points from six games. They'll return to match action after the winter break with a home match against Timisoara on 18 February. Roma have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League following the results on matchday 6 as they've secured second spot in the table. The Giallorossi will now turn their attention to Serie A again where they'll host Bari on Sunday. |
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