Roma rides Dzeko strike into last eight

ROME - Roma reached the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in 10 years as Edin Dzeko edged it past Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 at Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday, allowing the Italians to win the tie on away goals.

The Bosnian striker's 52ndminute goal proved enough after a 2-1 first-leg loss in Ukraine, with 10-man Shakhtar failing to find the late strike it needed after Ivan Ordets was sent off.

Cengiz Under's goal in the first leg last month ultimately proved crucial for Roma, but Dzeko was the hero on the night and also proved instrumental in Shakhtar defender Ordets being shown a straight red card with 12 minutes left.

That led to tensions spilling over, with Shakhtar's Facundo Ferreyra picking up a booking for shoving a ballboy over an advertising board.

Eusebio Di Francesco's side is the second Italian team to advance to the quarterfinals after Juventus, with the draw for the last eight taking place on Friday.

"The standing ovation is not for me but for everyone; we are deservedly in the quarterfinals," Dzeko said of the applause that accompanied him off the pitch.

"We managed to do something Roma hadn't done in 10 years, so going forward to play against the best makes us all very proud.

"We are among the eight best sides in Europe."

Roma did not concede a goal at home in the group stage and hammered Chelsea 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, so the home fans in the crowd of 47,693 were confident their side could get the job done.

The Ukrainians dominated early possession, and there was a scare for the host when Alessandro Florenzi nearly nodded a freekick into his own net.

Ferreyra then came close after Federico Fazio lost the ball just outside his own box, before Roma struck seven minutes into the second half.

Kevin Strootman sent Dzeko through as Shakhtar tried without success to play the offside trap, and the Bosnian forward prodded a shot through the legs of goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov and into the net for his fourth CL goal this season.

Dzeko was then brought down by Ordets, who got a straight red card for his trouble, making Shakhtar's task that much harder.

"We knew that sooner or later they would make a mistake and we'd pounce on it," said Di Francesco.

"If we face any opponent with this attitude and determination, we can go far."

Shakhtar coach Paulo Fonseca agreed, saying: "Roma made the most of a single moment. Dzeko was a key player, but apart from his goal they didn't have a chance, we had possession.

"If we had finished off the chances we had in the first leg the match would have been over."

Roma held on, and after Italy's stunning failure to qualify for the World Cup, its progress to the last eight along with Juventus is a boost for the country.

There have not been two Italian clubs in the quarterfinals of the Champions League since 2006-07, when Roma joined eventual winner AC Milan in the last eight.

There will also be at least three Italian coaches in the quarterfinals - Di Francesco, Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus and Vincenzo Montella of Sevilla.

"I spoke with Montella a few days ago and we said we'd meet in the final," said Di Francesco.

Antonio Conte could make it four Italian coaches in the quarters if Chelsea manages to knock off Barcelona on Wednesday.

Agence France-presse