:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68935522/862874866.0.jpg)
Despite crashing out to Liverpool in the semifinals, every Romanista looks back on the 2017-18 Champions League with fond memories. Nothing tops that magical night at Olimpico when the Manolas Miracle brought the footballing world’s eyes upon the Italian capital. That historic moment will live in Roma lore for eternity. But, before that comeback was ever a thought in Romanisti minds, plenty had to happen to even get Roma to that point.
Yes, of course, Bruno Peres’ golden toe and some individual heroics in the Round of 16 spring to mind. But, the seeds of that historic comeback were sewn in the group stages, months before Roma ever drew Barcelona. It was in the group that the belief grew that Roma could pull off the Romantada.
So, join us as Sean and I embark on the first of a four-part miniseries looking back on Roma’s magical run to the semifinals of Europe’s elite competition. The idea for this miniseries was born out of Roma drawing Shakhtar in the round of 16 of this season’s Europa League. With that Europa League draw a seed was planted and this miniseries was born.
With that in mind, we will revisit both the group stage and round of 16 with Shakhtar ahead of Thursday’s first leg rematch with the Ukrainian side. Then, as the anniversary of the Manolas Miracle approaches in April, we’ll be releasing the final two episodes of the series.
In this first episode, we revisit Roma winning Group C. It was a group of death that included powerhouses Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, but against the odds, it was the Giallorossi that won the group. Join us as we look back on the heroics of Alisson against Atleti, Dzeko’s beautiful brace at Stamford Bridge, Roma’s emphatic win over Chelsea at the Olimpico fueled by some El Shaawary magic, and much, much more.
This is the first of what we hope will be many episodes that go behind our usual weekly matchday coverage and look back on historic Roma moments, individual players, and more. So, be sure to leave your feedback and let us know what you think. And feel free to plant some seeds in our heads for some future episodes.
You can also listen and subscribe on the following platforms: