Roma stun Lyon to reach last eight

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LYON, France -- Roma denied Lyon a fourth consecutive Champions League quarterfinal place when they beat the five-times French champions 2-0 in the second leg of their first knockout round tie at the Gerland on Tuesday.

Lyon, who had not lost any of their 18 previous home games in European club football's premier competition, fell behind on 22 minutes with a powerful header by Roma captain Francesco Totti from a Max Tonetto cross.

Brazilian midfielder Mancini sealed the Italians' place in the last eight with a superb goal just before halftime, racing into the box from a swift counter-attack and twisting his way past Lyon defender Anthony Reveillere to fire into the top corner.

Roma, featuring in the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time, had been held to a 0-0 draw by Lyon in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico.

Coach Luciano Spalletti tsaid; "The team was perfect tonight. We played well right from the start and scored two great goals.

"My team did well not to react when Lyon's players provoked them in the last few minutes," he added.

Roma were clearly the better side in the first half and defended tightly under sustained pressure in typical Italian fashion after the break.

Lyon, who had a terrible start to the year but had suggested they were back on form with a 3-1 Ligue 1 win at St Etienne on Saturday, looked strained and short of ideas on a rainy night that shattered their European dreams.

The hosts survived a fright on six minutes when midfielder Daniele De Rossi headed the ball into the net from a corner, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul committed by Totti on a Lyon player in the box.

The home side threatened for the first time on 19 minutes with an angled free kick from just outside the area by Brazilian playmaker Juninho which Roma goalkeeper Doni struggled to clear.

Lyon kept trying their luck in the second half and created a few chances, notably an attempt by Juninho and a powerful volley by Swede Kim Kallstrom, both denied by brilliant saves from Doni.

As time moved on, however, the French side grew increasingly nervous, Brazil striker Fred elbowing Roma defender Cristian Chivu in the face on 80 minutes without being noticed by Spanish referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez.

The Italians were missing experienced right back Christian Panucci because of a fever but that did not stop the four in charge of the defensives duties, and notably Frenchman Philippe Mexes, from putting up a faultless display.

Roma lie second in Serie A, but 16 points from leaders Inter, and a good run in the Champions League has become the club's main objective this season.

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