A sublime and record breaking goal from Francesco Totti ensured Manchester City are still without a win after two games in this years Champions League.
After being given a dream start by Sergio Aguero’s fourth minute spot-kick, City were pegged back by Roma’s talisman who found the back of the net, for his first goal on English soil.
After suffering heart break at the Allianz Arena last time out, City were determined to get back to winning ways at home against a Roma side who had thrashed CSKA Moscow on match day but who were far from being at full strength.
And the Citizens could not have asked for a better start as they were handed a golden opportunity after just four minutes thanks to some questionable defending from City old boy Maicon.
Playmaker David Silva cut in from the wing before picking out the run of Edin Dzeko who was pulled back needlessly by Maicon. The referee pointed to the spot but bemused the home fans by only brandishing a yellow card. Aguero stepped up to send stand in keeper Skorupski the wrong way.
Moments later, Maicon again was involved in the next talking point as he bought down a delightful Totti chip before thundering the ball against the underside of Joe Hart’s crossbar.
Despite the shaky start, the visitors were looking confident in attack, and so they should, as the joint Serie A leaders have won their opening five league games.
The reborn Gervinho, who has found scintillating form since departing from these shores after his less than impressive spell at Arsenal, went close to levelling the scores. After hustling his way through two tackles, he was inches from getting his shot away before Hart collected the ball.
But Roma didn’t have to wait to long before their 1600 travelling fans were celebrating. Yanga-Mbiwa’s pass was helped on by Radja Nainggolan into the path of Totti who delicately lifted the ball over the onrushing Hart to score his first ever goal in England. It was a record breaking strike as Totti became the oldest player to score in European Club football history at 38 years and three days.
City looked to respond with YayaToure and Edin Dzeko both seeing shots blocked before another penalty claim, this one more genuine than the last, was waved away. Aguero fed in Jesus Navas who’s pull back towards the Argentine was handled by the grounded Kostas Manalos who was lucky to get away with it.
Despite the home side trying to press more, Roma finished the first half with the best opportunity to score when Gervinho went close. After racing onto Maicon’s through ball, the Ivorian stripped Gael Clichy and Martin Demichelis before seeing his powerful near post drive saved by Hart, who was responding well to losing his place in the weekend victory at Hull City.
Man City made a half-time change with James Milner replacing Jesus Navas as they looked to tighten up the midfield.
But it was the Italian side that started the second half strongly as Totti sent a curling drive just wide of Hart’s far post.
Hart would see the ball come a little closer to his goal two minutes later when Pjanic found space in his six-yard box. After being played in by Totti Allesandro Florenzi played in Miralem Pjanic who turned and shot straight at the outstretched Hart.
Roma were on top and Pjanic came close again when Gervinho teed him up on the edge of the box before hitting the stanchion behind Hart’s goal.
City made another change as they looked to counter the attacking threat Roma possessed, with Frank Lampard replacing Dzeko.
And the on-loan, former Chelsea man was involved straight away as he fed in Fernandinho who was crowded out just before getting his shot away.
City started to get a foothold on the game with Roma happy to play on the counter. Juan Iturbe, who had replaced Captain Totti played in Maicon who’s drilled cross was well dealt with by Pablo Zabaleta.
Silva and Lampard both saw shots fail to trouble Skorupski in the Roma goal, with the latter seeing a 20-yard drive drift narrowly wide.
Silva was involved again moments before the end when a lovely flowing move saw substitute Stevan Jovetic, on for Aguero, feed in Zabaleta who’s cross found Silva, who guided the ball wide at the near post Jovetic was again involved in the final significant moment of the match when Milner laid the ball off for him, before the former Fiorentina man drilled the ball over the bar.
Roma had held on for a valuable point, with City needing some strong away performances to make it through to the last 16 of the Champions League.