Cluj claim Rome clash, Culio pockets of support as stun debutants Italian giants

CFR Cluj made a dream start to his debut Champions League campaign in the UEFA coming from behind to win 2-1 in Rome.
Christian Panucci claimed a 17th minute opener for Roma, who have reached the Champions League quarterfinals the past two years.

However, Juan Culio (photo) equalised in 27 minutes before the Argentine midfielder scored again in the 49 th minute to stun the hosts and give the Romanian champions to fund a well deserved victory at the Stadio Olympics.

Rome vowed not to underestimate Champions League debutants and seemed on course for a comfortable victory after making a professional start. The Italians have a number of problems, but the injuries were boosted by the inclusion of striker Mirko Vucinic, who test Eduard Stancioiu with eighth minute free-kick before clipping the ball over the goalkeeper Cluj struck a post in 15 minutes.

Centrocampista Daniele De Rossi was also approved in form and it was he who made the opening goal, winning the ball outside Culio deep on the right and crossing Panucci Roma captain to head past a stranded Stancioiu in the next post.

Rome did not maintain their early momentum, however, with Doni having to tip over a long-range efforts from Sebastian Dubarbier while Culio and Alvaro Pereira fired off target from distance.

But Culio found his range soon after, playing a two Eugen Trice break before the ball left-footed into the far corner from the edge of the box. Although most of the Roma enjoying possession, Cluj were a constant threat on the break and Dani Doni's 20-yard strike forced to save low to his right shortly before the break.

Panucci blocked off at half-time and despite re-emerging for the second half, the defender of Rome was forced to face only two minutes after the resumption. Cluj and took advantage before Rome was able to regroup, with Culio volleying home from 12 yards after Marco Cassetti by Dani's right-wing cross.

Totti gamble

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti responded by throwing star striker Francesco Totti in the fight left-back John Arne Riise not have been fit enough to start. Cluj next will be close, although as Gabriel Muresan curled a free kick wide in the strict sense, before Totti had a header deflected over at the other end.

De Rossi sent a long range strike just wide in the 64th minute as Rome began to Cluj put under sustained pressure, with Totti with a strong penalty appeal rejected before failing to direct a free header goalwards

But Cluj almost sealed in the 71 th minute when substitute Sixto Peralta was left completely unmarked to head Tony's right-wing cross against the crossbar and a strike by De Rossi to Stancioiu rectum is the best Rome could achieve before being off by a boo meagre home crowd.