Edin Dzeko Pleased To Have Stayed With AS Roma After Barcelona Shock

AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko is pleased to have played an influential role in his side’s progress to the semi-final stage of the Champions League. The Giallorossi clinched a shock 3-0 win over Barcelona in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, and this ensured their progress to the final four of the elite competition on the away-goal rule.

Speaking after the game, the Bosnian was happy to have snubbed a move to Chelsea during the winter transfer window in order to prolong his stay in Rome, he said: “It wasn’t easy, but I stayed here and am very happy to be here. I think the club is glad, too. Let’s not talk about [the move]. Money doesn’t matter. This was the best, but even better may well be yet to come. It proved we can play against anyone, as Barcelona are such a strong side. We put three goals past them and could have had more. I have never seen Barcelona struggle so much. We pressed them constantly from the first minute.”

Dzeko netted a crucial away goal during the 4-1 defeat at Camp Nou earlier this month, and he managed to follow it up by scoring the opener at the Stadio Olimpico as well as winning the penalty for the second. Ultimately, Kostas Manolas, who conceded an own-goal in the first-leg, had the final say in the game as he produced the match-winning header eight minutes from time.

With the result, Roma have qualified alongside Liverpool to the final four of the premier competition, and this happens to be their first occasion at this stage since the 1983/84 campaign, where they lost to the Reds in the final. Roma’s immediate focus will turn to the Serie A this weekend when they face-off against top-four rivals Lazio. Both teams are ahead of fifth-placed Inter Milan by a single point, and a slip-up for either could benefit the Nerazzurri.