Rovers Hold Strong Roma

Up and coming star Aaron Doran bagged his first senior goal as Rovers showed great spirit to draw with Italian giants Roma.

Roma fielded a strong side that contained many of their regular starters and set about at a good pace that stretched Rovers to the maximum.

After Keith Andrews had a goal chalked off and Roma had taken a two goal lead through Taddei and a John Arne Riise free kick, Rovers came back into the game making the most of their suprise 4-3-3 line up.

Rovers were playing with Jason Roberts, El Hadji Diouf and Paul Gallagher up front front with Keith Andrews, Vince Grella and Steven N'Zonzi in midfield. I must add that despite a mistake for the first goal by new signing N'Zonzi, he again looked lively and sprayed the ball around well in a cramped midfield.

Paul Gallagher pegged a goal back before half time when he calmly converted after Jason Roberts had drawn Roma keeper Artur out of position before pulling the ball back for Gally to be left with a simple finish.

Doran then equalised in the second half after meeting a Keith Treacy cross with aplomb and Rovers pressed on for the winner that they never found.

It must be note that in the second half the stand out performer was Benni McCarthy. He showed great touches and work rate, always looked threatening and supported his team mates well.

Aaron Doran also looks better and better with every game.

An interesting side note was that Christian Vieri did not play any part in the game.

After the game Rovers and Roma played out a 3 each penalty shoot out which Roma won 3-2 with Doran and Pedersen netting for Rovers but Alan Judge missed his.

All in all thought, the positives far outweighed any negatives.

Here were the starting line ups -

ROMA (4-4-2): Artur; Cassetti, Mexes, Riise, Antunes: Taddei, Pizarro, Brighi, Guberti; Totti, Okaka.

BLACKBURN (4-3-3): Brown; Jacobsen, Samba, Givet, Warnock; Nzonzi, Grella, Andrews; Gallagher, Roberts, Diouf.

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