The luckiest turn of events: most unexpected victories in AS Roma history

AS Roma’s 4-1 comeback against Barcelona in the 2018 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals will live on in football history forever. However, as far as unexpected and somewhat lucky turns of events, the I Giallorossi has a lot more to offer.

With that said, let’s take a look at the most unexpected victories in AS Roma history. And, of course, we’re starting with the legendary Barca game.

Roma vs. Barcelona: Champions League Quarterfinals (2018)

Champions League resurgence specialists Barcelona was out in the Italian city on Tuesday, as Roma achieved one of the most improbable comebacks in quarter-final history.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s team overcame a 4-1 first-leg deficit to advance to the quarterfinals on away goals after an exhilarating 3-0 victory at home.

Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi, and Kostas Manolas achieved a 4-4 aggregate tie, eliciting exuberance from the Stadio Olimpico, while Barcelona, undefeated in LaLiga this season, disintegrated entirely.

The outcome is acknowledged among the finest comebacks in the competition’s illustrious recent history, particularly considering it occurred just over a year after Barcelona’s most renowned ‘remontada’.

Roma vs. Sampdoria: Serie A (1961)

Giacomo Losi scored just two goals for Roma, although the context of his first exemplified why he was among the club’s most esteemed players.

Losi exclusively represented Roma during his professional career, interspersed by brief tenures in the lesser levels. Over 14 years, he became the only captain at the time to win a European title for the club — the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

On January 8th of that year, Roma played Sampdoria. This was their second match of the year and the fourteenth of the season, and there was little difference between the two teams.

Pedro Manfredini equalised at 2-2 with 13 minutes left. However, Roma found it hard to reclaim the advantage. At this point, Losi was experiencing difficulties due to a groin issue that had affected him since the first half. As the pain intensified, Losi was compelled to make a difficult choice.

He would need to go, leaving his side with two fewer players than their adversaries, or endure the discomfort and continue playing. He tried his luck, and the results would eventually etch him as a legend.

Luck was on Roma’s side that day, the choice was stick or twist much like in a hand of blackjack with an operator found on bonusfinder.co.uk. Roma won a corner, decided to twist, and the ball fell to Losi. Small in stature, Losi wasn’t typically a threat on corners. Yet, to Roma’s surprise, and with only the use of one leg, he managed to slot the ball home.

He could have forsaken his squad, but Losi exceeded all expectations. He was there when Roma needed him the most. From that day forward, Losi would be regarded as the Core de Roma — the Heart of Rome.

Roma vs. Feyenoord: Europa Conference League Final (2022)

Roma won the first Europa Conference League title after defeating Feyenoord 1-0, maintaining Jose Mourinho’s perfect record in major European finals in 2022.

The Dutch team, winners in the UEFA Cup in 2002, controlled early possession but failed to generate significant opportunities and were penalised when Zaniolo received a cross from Roger Ibanez and scored.

Feyenoord renewed their momentum at the beginning of the second half and almost equalised when Roma defender Gianluca Mancini inadvertently redirected a short corner into his own post, which Rui Patricio subsequently saved well. Despite relentless pressure from the Dutch side, Mourinho’s team, through patience and a touch of fortune, managed to clinch another trophy for the illustrious club.

Upon the whistle’s sound in Tirana, Mourinho commemorated by raising five fingers towards the heavens in tribute to his European triumphs.

Roma vs. Lecce: Serie A (2023)

Jose Mourinho was elated after two stoppage-time goals from Sardar Azmoun and Romelu Lukaku that secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Lecce in November 2023.

Pontus Almqvist scored the first goal for Roberto D’Aversa’s team by converting a loose ball in the 72nd minute, followed by Azmoun’s header and Lukaku’s precise close-range finish, which incited exuberant celebrations inside the Stadio Olimpico.

The occasion was especially emotional for Lukaku as Lecce custodian Wladimiro Falcone thwarted the Belgian’s fifth-minute penalty.

It wasn’t a crucial cup game or title decider, but to miss a penalty, secure multiple stoppage-time goals, and seal three points was certainly one of the most unexpected.

Roma vs. Liverpool: UEFA Champions League (2018)

Roma was down 5-0 in the first leg but scored twice in the last moments, fostering optimism for a comeback in the second leg, having previously reversed a 4-1 defeat at Barcelona with a 3-0 victory at home in the prior round. Coach Eusebio Di Francesco implored his team “to achieve another miracle,” while Liverpool, undefeated throughout the UEFA Champions League season under Jürgen Klopp and including former Roma player Mohamed Salah in exceptional form, only needed to withstand the pressure, a job that is not inherently simple.

In nine minutes, Roberto Firmino assisted Sadio Mané in scoring the first goal for the visitors. Still, an unusual own goal – Trent Alexander-Arnold’s clearance deflecting off James Milner and into the net past Loris Karius — equalised the match. Georginio Wijnaldum subsequently scored his first UEFA Champions League goal with a header, bringing the score to 2-1 halfway through the first half; however, Edin Džeko converted a rebound to equalise at 2-2 early in the second half.

Substitutes Cengiz Ünder, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Džeko approached the goal as Roma intensified their efforts. With four minutes remaining, Radja Nainggolan scored from distance off the post and then converted a penalty in the closing moments when Ragnar Klavan was adjudged to have committed a foul.

Nevertheless, time expired for Roma, who needed an additional goal to compel extra time. Roma could not secure a position in the UCL final but undoubtedly proved themselves one of the competition’s most dangerous comeback kings.

It didn’t quite hit as well as the Barca comeback in the previous round, but it certainly came close.