UEFA Champions League
Result: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 AS Roma
Date: 21 February 2018
Venue: Metalist Stadium
Shakhtar Donetsk came from behind to defeat AS Roma 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie.
Edin Dzeko was unlucky not to have put Roma ahead in the seventh minute but his effort was cleared off the line by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov, who made a quick recovery after missing the flight of a ball from a corner.
There were no clear opportunities after half-an-hour, with both sides still trying to find their rhythm.
However, Cengiz Ünder broke the deadlock for Roma three minutes before the break with a composed finish from close range after being played in by Dzeko.
Donetsk were guilty of pressing high and were caught on the counter-attack as they went into the dressing room trailing 1-0.
Facundo Ferreyra leveled matters for Shakhtar eight minutes into the second stanza by sliding his shot into the bottom corner to stun the Serie A outfit.
Roma goalkeeper Alisson did well in the 65th minute to deny Taison, who almost gave the Ukrainian side the lead with a powerful effort from distance.
In the 72nd minute, Alisson could do nothing about Fred's free-kick, which sailed in off the underside of the crossbar to put the home side ahead.
The Ukrainian side were fired up to get the third goal in the closing stages but were unable to bypass Alisson, who produced a couple more crucial saves in the closing stages as the encounter finished 2-1 in favour of Shakhtar.
