AS Roma defeated Qarabag 2-1 in Azerbaijan for the Champions League [VIDEO].

AS Roma won 1-2 against Qarabag from Azerbaijan and imposed logic in a gray match that the Italian team won with goals from Greek Konstantinos Manolas and Bosnian Edin Dzeko, in Group C of the Champions League.

Eusebio Di Francesco's men had a script written for victory. Qarabag, alongside APOEL Nicosia, is possibly one of the weakest teams in the Champions League. In their debut, they lost 6-0 at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea and everything seemed to suggest an easy win for the Italian team in the Baki Olimpiya Stadionu in Baku.

And even more so when from the beginning of the match the overwhelming dominance of Roma was translated into goals from defender Manolas and forward Dzeko. In just 15 minutes, the Italian team seemed to have ended any chance for their rival to achieve something positive.

In a very short period of time, they scored twice with a little help from Qarabag. Especially in the first goal, where Bosnian goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic provided half a goal to Manolas after an erratic clearance with punches that Lorenzo Pellegrini picked up. The Italian midfielder shot on goal and his teammate, very opportunely, redirected the ball into the net with a good header.

Shortly after, Dzeko struck again for Roma after controlling a pass from Stephan El Shaarawy inside the box to shoot past Qarabag's goalkeeper. His goal, the 0-2, seemed to seal the match.

However, Qarabag, led by Brazilian Pedro Henrique, did not lose hope and gradually woke up from their initial lethargy. The Azerbaijani team began to worry their opponent, who also made easy ball deliveries. Most of the errors were made by Brazilian Juan Jesus and Frenchman Maxime Gonalons, who were very erratic during the first 45 minutes.

In one of Gonalons' mistakes, Qarabag reduced the lead through their most influential player, Pedro Henrique, who took advantage of an assist from South African Dino Ndlovu after stealing the ball from the French player. The 1-2, fifteen minutes before halftime, closed a first half in which only El Shaarawy could have increased the lead with a header that Sehic saved.

In the second half, Roma hardly had a couple of chances with Alexander Kolarov and Bruno Peres, both saved by Sehic, which preceded a slow period of about half an hour in which both teams got stuck in the midfield.

Roma, without any fanfare but with efficiency, controlled Qarabag's occasional attacks, managed to maintain the result, and took home three points, gray but very useful in a very closely matched group where Atletico Madrid and Chelsea will compete with the Italian team for a spot in the round of 16.

Qarabag vs AS Roma: lineups

Qarabag: Sehic; Medvedev, Hüseynov, Sadygov, Agolli; Richard Almeida, Garayev; Pedro Henrique (Elyounoussi, min. 76), Míchel (Quintana, min. 88), Madatov (Guerrier, min. 82); and Ndlovu.

Roma: Becker; Bruno Peres, Manolas, Juan Jesus, Kolarov; Pellegrini (Strootman, min. 82), Gonalons (De Rossi, min. 67), Nainggolan; Defrel (Florenzi, min. 58), El Shaarawy and Dzeko.

Goals: 0-1, min. 7: Manolas; 0-2, min. 15: Dzeko; 1-2, min. 29: Pedro Henrique.

Referee: Artur Dias (Portugal).

Stadium: Baki Olimpiya Stadionu, Baku.

EFE