Итальянская команда выходила вперед благодаря ударам Салаха и Джеко, но растеряла преимущество и благодарна Пьяничу за удар с 11-метрового, который принес победу

The Serie A side had gone ahead early through Salah and Dzeko, but could not hold on to their advantage and were grateful to their spot-kick hero for finally sealing a triumph

Miralem Pjanic earned Roma a crucial 3-2 win over 10-man Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's Champions League encounter at the Stadio Olimpico by converting a penalty with 10 minutes to go.

Having led 2-0 at the break through Mohamed Salah and Edin Dzeko, Roma were pegged back early in the second half by quickfire strikes from Admir Mehmedi and Javier Hernandez.

But as the matched headed towards a draw which would have done little for Roma's hopes of progressing from Group E, an almighty goalmouth scramble led to Omer Toprak shoving Salah as the Egyptian prepared to score.

Toprak was shown a straight red card, and Pjanic kept his cool to convert the penalty and provide Roma's qualification hopes with a huge boost.

The win sees Roma climb to second spot in the group with five points from four games, one point ahead of Leverkusen.

Rudi Garcia's side face the daunting task of heading to reigning champions Barcelona on matchday five, while Leverkusen travel to bottom club BATE.

Roma started the match brilliantly and needed only two minutes to open the scoring after a quick counter-attack. Dzeko set up Salah with a fine pass and the Egypt international squeezed the ball underneath Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Hernandez should have levelled the scoring in the 14th minute when he beat the offside trap after a free-kick from Hakan Calhanoglu, yet the former Manchester United man failed to properly get his foot to the ball and tapped it wide from close range.

Dzeko doubled the Serie A side’s lead in the 29th minute after some fine work from Radja Nainggolan. The Belgium international lost his marker in midfield before setting up the ex-Manchester City striker with a fine pass and Dzeko found the net with a calm finish.

Dzeko should have effectively put the match to bed 60 seconds later when Salah set him up, but he blazed over from 10 yards.

Hernandez again looked dangerous for the visitors five minutes before the interval when he beat his marker to a Giulio Donati cross, but Wojciech Szczesny comfortably collected his acrobatic attempt.

Leverkusen pulled one back early in the first minute of the second half, though, when Mehmedi curled home after being teed up Kevin Kampl.

The Bundesliga outfit did not stop there and restored parity in the 51st minute. Karim Bellarabi found Hernandez inside the area and the Mexican striker beat Szczesny with a right-footed shot in the far corner.

Leverkusen continued to dominate proceedings and nearly grabbed the lead on the hour-mark via Mehmedi, only for the Roma goalkeeper to deny the attacker with a fine save.

Roma felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Dzeko went to the ground inside the area in the 63rd minute, yet referee Sergei Karasev waved play on.

However, the official had no other option but to give Garcia's men a spot-kick when Toprak fouled Salah on the goalline and Pjanic stepped up to shoot underneath Leno and gift Roma the full three points.

•  

   

  Well, that's all from me tonight. I've been Patric Ridge, and it's been a real pleasure to bring you all the action from the Stadio Olimpico, where it has finished 3-2 to Roma against 10-man Leverkusen!
•  

   

  The victory sees Roma rise up to second, while Leverkusen drop to third. Barcelona are already through to the knock-out stages, but the rest of Group E is still wide open, with any of BATE, Roma or Leverkusen more than capable of progressing.
•  

   

  For all their domination, though, Roma found themselves level five minutes into the second half - with Mehmedi and Hernandez the goalscorers for the visitors. But it was not to be, for Leverkusen, who had captain Toprak sent off for a foul on Salah - Pjanic stepping up to convert the resulting penalty and seal the win.
•  

   

  The hosts took an early lead through Salah, who was a real thorn in the side of Leverkusen's defence before the interval. Dzeko made it two soon after, putting Roma in complete control heading into the break.
•  

   

  So, that;s it for another dramatic clash between these two. Roma were just about deserving of their victory, having completely controlled the first-half, but they were certainly made to work for it by the resurgent Leverkusen.
• 90' + 4'

   

  Yellow Card Wojciech Szczesny
• 90' + 4'

   

  FULL-TIME! That's it! The referee blows his whistle and it is a win for Roma - their first in the Champions League this season!
• 90' + 3'

   

  Everyone is behind the ball now for Roma, as Tah attempts to play a long ball into the box that he gets horribly wrong, and it goes out for a goal-kick.
• 90' + 1'

   

  Yellow Card Vasilis Torosidis
• 90' + 1'

   

  OFFSIDE! Sloppy from Brandt, who delays his pass a second too long, resulting in Hernandez being given offside. Three minutes left for Leverkusen to rescue a point...
• 90'

   

  A final roll of the dice from Schmidt, who introduces the youngster Julian Brandt in place of Mehmedi, who grabbed the goal to kick-start Leverkusen's second-half fight back. Brandt gets invokved immediatlely, weaving his way down the left, but Roma's defence remain solid...
• 88'

   

  SubstitutionAdmir Mehmedi Julian Brandt
• 88'

   

  Kampl has really impressed in a central position for Leverkusen tonight, and he is at the heart of another sweeping move upfield, but Torosidis finally gets a foot in to intercept. This game is far from over yet!
• 85'

   

  Hernandez almost finds Mehmedi with a floated cross, but Manolas is well-placed to cut it out. De Rossi scoops it clear, and Dzeko chaces it down, forcing Papodopoulos to knock it out for a throw.
• 83'

   

  What a game we have had tonight. If the last clash between these two was a classic, then this has certainly lived up to expectations. Leverkusen lump it forwards straight from kick-off, but Kampl's touch is too heavy and he can only take it out of play.
• 80'

   

   

   

  Penalty Goal Miralem Pjanic
  GOOOOOOALLL! Pjanic converts... but only just. The midfielder decides to hit it low, slightly to the left. Leno goes the right way, but Pjanic's strike is powerful and squirms its way into the bottom corner.
• 79'

   

   

   

  Red Card Ömer Toprak
• 78'

   

  PENALTY TO ROMA! A goal-mouth scramble everntually leads to De Rossi getting a shot away. Leno makes a decent save, but the ball falls to Salah who just needs to tap it into an empty net. However, Toprak intervenes, and pushes the Egypt winger down, and the referee points straight to the spot, awarding a red-card to the Leverkusen skipper.
• 76'

   

  SubstitutionMaicon Vasilis Torosidis
• 76'

   

  An injury for Roma now, and it is one of their substitues - Maicon - who is making way. The veteran defender appeared to strain a muscle when making a challenge on Hernandez, and he will now be replaced by Torosidis.
• 73'

   

  SubstitutionKarim Bellarabi Christoph Kramer
• 73'

   

  Worrying signs for Leverkusen, as Bellarabi's night is brought to a cruel and premature end due to an apparent hamstring injury. He is replaced by Kramer, but the winger has been the instigator for Leverkusen's come-back.
• 71'

   

  CLOSE! Leverkusen work it brilliantly down the left. Mehmedi dinks a pin-point pass to Bellarabi, who squares it across to Hernandez, but Szczesny gets down low to make the stop.
• 69'

   

  The tempo has returned to a somewhat normal pace, now, but both sides still look extremley vulnerable in defence as Roma almost carve out an opportunity, but Nainggolan skies a half-volley way over the cross-bar.
• 68'

   

  SubstitutionGervinho Juan Iturbe
• 67'

   

  STAT ATTACK: Leverkusen are searching for their first Champions League win in Italy having drawn two and lost two of their four away games against Serie A opposition.
• 65'

   

  Great chance for Salah, who works himself some room on the edge of the area and gets a low shot away with his right-foot, but his effort trickles just wide.
• 62'

   

  PENALTY??? NO! Nothing doing for the officials, as Dzeko takes a tumble in the area under pressure from Tah following Pjanic's free-kick. It looks like a penalty would have been harsh on the visitors, but you have seen them given!
• 61'

   

  Yellow Card Kyriakos Papadopoulos
• 60'

   

  The first booking of the game now, and it goes to Papadopoulos. The Greece defender gets himself the wrong-side of Salah, and has no option but to bring down the Roma winger.
• 58'

   

  GREAT SAVE! Mehmedi jinks his way around the hapless Maicon down Leverkusen's left. The midfielder makes his way into the area before firing in a rasping drive at goal from close-range, but Szczesny makes a good save with his legs.
• 57'

   

  CHANCE! Hernandez slides a lovely pass through to Bellarabi. The winger drives towards goal, but he trips over his own touch and Manolas gets back to make the tackle. The ball falls to Hernandez, but he miss-hits his strke.
• 56'

   

  SubstitutionAlessandro Florenzi Maicon
• 54'

   

  Bellarabi has made a real impact here, with Leverkusen looking much more suited to a 4-5-1 formation. Hernandez is picking up pockets of space indangerous areas, and the Mexico striker thinks he has beaten the offside trap from Kampl's pass, but the linesman's flag evenutally goes up.
• 51'

   

  Assist Karim Bellarabi
• 51'

   

   

   

  Goal Javier Hernández
  GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! HERNANDEZ PULLS LEVERKUSEN LEVEL! What an incredible start to this half, as Hernandez fires in past Szczesny to restore parity at the Stadio Olimpico after being played in by Mehmedi. Roma have just not come out of the blocks since the interval, and Levrkusen are certainly making them pay. 2-2!
• 49'

   

  Well that is just what Leverkusen needed. Roma are unable to get out of their half at the moment, and it suddenly looks as though the visitors are the only side looking likely to score now!
• 46'

   

  Assist Kevin Kampl
• 46'

   

   

   

  Goal Admir Mehmedi
  GOOOOOOOALLLLL FOR LEVERKUSEN! Mehmedi fires Leverkusen right back into this game with a fantastic curling finish after being teed up by Kampl. GAME ON!
• 46'

   

  SubstitutionStefan Kießling Karim Bellarabi
• 46'

   

  KICK-OFF! Roma get the second-half up and running. There's been one change at half time, with Bellarabi replacing Kiesling for the visitors.
•  

   

  The hosts have had their chances to extend their lead, however, and really put this game beyond all doubt. Dzeko should have tapped home his second in the space of a minute on the half-hour mark, before Salah squandered two great opportunities to play the Bosnia striker in late in the half.
•  

   

  Garcia, meanwhile, will be delighted with his side's display. They have been superb to watch on the break, with Salah continuously causing havoc down the right-hand-side. The Chelsea-loanee took his goal well early on, while Dzeko was never in danger of missing when the chance to make it two came his way.
•  

   

  Schmidt has clearly set his side up to attack tonight, deciding to play two forwards up top from the start. But his bold tactics have not paid off, with his Roma pickin his side off at ease on almost every counter-attack. He must surely be looking to change things at half time!
• 45' + 2'

   

  HALF-TIME! That's it for the first half at the Stadio Olimpico, where Roma lead Bayer Leverkusen 2-0.
• 45' + 1'

   

  Another wasted opportunity for Roma. Again, one simple pass in-behind Leverkusen's defence exposes the visitors, with Salah driving through on goal un-troubled. He eventually cuts back onto his left foot in an attempt to pick out Dzeko, but he delays his pass and Tah gets back to stem the move.
• 44'

   

  WHAT A CHANCE! So wasteful from Salah, who again rounds his marker and finds himself free on goal. He has two men to aim for in the box, but he cannot execute a pass to either of his teammates, instead finding Papadopoulos.
• 43'

   

  Kampl is starting to become much more influential in Leverkusen's play now, as he dictates a measured build-up down the left before delivering a dangerous cross which Nainggolan has to stretch to head away from goal.
• 40'

   

  Super play from Donati, who keeps a long pass in play and finds Kampl with a neat pass into the penalty area. The Slovenian cannot play in Kiesling. Manolas' clearance falls back to the italian full-back, who whips in a sublime cross that Hernandez flicks goalwards, but Szczesny is equal to it. Better from Leverkusen!
• 38'

   

  Tah finds Kiesling with a searching ball as Leverkusen finally maintain possession for a short period. The experienced striker plays it back to Kampl, whose cross falls short of Hernandez.
• 35'

   

  Roma have really being untroubled by the visitors so far, with Hernandez' chance from Calhanoglu's free-kick their only opportunity of note. Garcia's men, on the other hand, have carved through Leverkusen's young defence - which has an average age of just 22 - almost at will.
• 32'

   

  Well, Leverkusen will not give up hope just yet, as they were 2-0 within the first 20 minutes the last time these two sides met, and ended up having to salvage a draw for themselves late on. But they have been extremely poor so far tonight, both in attack and defence.
• 30'

   

  WHAT A MISS! Dzeko should have made it three! Leverkusen concede possession straight from the restart. Gervinho plays in Salah, who burst forward into space before feeding it across to Dzeko. The Manchester City loanee looks set to put Roma further ahead, but he nudges his first-time effort high over the bar from close-range. Schmidt's side look totally exposed, here!
• 29'

   

  Assist Radja Nainggolan
• 29'

   

   

   

  Goal Edin Dzeko
  GOOOOOAAAALLLL! Dzeko extends Roma's lead with a typical exquisite finish, placing it into the bottom-right corner after latching onto Nainggolan's threaded throughball.
• 27'

   

  Another superb counter from Salah, who takes on three Leverkusen defenders along the right wing. He drifts inside, but his touch is heavy and Tah is able to intercept.
• 24'

   

  A pause in play now as Florenzi receives treatment for a head injury sustained in a challenge with Papodopoulos. Leverkusen get the game restarted and try to get Donati in down the right, but Gervinho stems the full-back's route forward.
• 23'

   

  Good work from Pjanic, who robs Wendell of possession down the right flank before dinking in a teasing cross, which Leno does well to prevent falling to the head of Dzeko. Promising play from Roma.
• 20'

   

  Pjanic netted a stunning set-piece in the reverse fixture two weeks ago, and the Bosnian attempts another audacious effort this time, but his shot is easily collected by Leno.
• 19'

   

  More promising play from the visitors, but Calhanoglu concedes it on the edge of Roma's area. The hosts counter again, with Manolas clipping a pass to the head of Dzeko, who wins a free-kick off Tah.
• 17'

   

  Nice build-up play from Kampl and Toprak sees Leverkusen make in-roads into Roma's half, but Manolas gets in a timely challenge and is able to clear. Nainggolan goes into a challenge against Mehmedi, and the Belgian international appears to have taken a nasty knock to his knee. He goes down for a moment, but hobbles back to his feet.
• 14'

   

  CHANCE! Hernandez should have equalised for Leverkusen there! He had made a great run to the far post to meet Calhanoglu's superb free-kick, but he failed to prod home. Unlucky!
• 12'

   

  STAT ATTACK: Including qualifying, Leverkusen are winless in their last four Champions League away games (D1 L3) scoring just one goal in the process.
• 10'

   

  Roma's tactics are quite evident so far, with Garcia content to see his side sit back and use the pace of Salah and Gervinho to get them up the pitch at speed. And it almost works again as Salah gets in down the right, but his cross is headed clear.
• 8'

   

  Leverkusen have a free-kick in a decent position after Pjanic's foul. Calhanoglu delivers, but Szczesny gathers it in. The Roma skipper plays it out quickly, but his former Arsenal teammate Gervinho is flagged offside.
• 5'

   

  Another pacey counter attack from Roma sees them win a throw-in deep in Leverkusen's half. Tah fails to clear the resulting cross, and Roma work it out left to Gervinho, but he is stifled by Leverkusen's defence.
• 3'

   

  Well it was Leverkusen who took an early lead last time, and Roma have repeated that feat this time around. It's just what Garcia's side needed. Can they push on and claim all three points to keep their Champions League hopes alive?
• 2'

   

  Assist Edin Dzeko
• 2'

   

   

   

  Goal Mohamed Salah
  GOOOOOOOAAALLLLLLLL! What a start for Roma, as they take the lead courtesy of Salah! Leverkusen launch an early attack, but Roma clear it to Dzeko. The forward holds it up brilliantly before turning it into the path of Salah, who squeezes a finish under Leno.
• 1'

   

  KICK-OFF! Leverkusen get us under way, kicking from left to right in the first half.
•  

   

  The teams make their way out of the tunnel and onto the pitch now, as the pre-match procedures take place and the Champions League anthem blares out around the Stadio Olimpico.
•  

   

  Roma, yet to win a game in Group E, sit bottom, and will be all but out of the competition should they lose tonight. Leverkusen, on the other hand, sit in second, and a win tonight would see them take a huge step towards the knock-out phase.
•  

   

  Two changes from Roger Schmidt, who drafts in Mehmedi - who netted Leverkusen's equaliser last time out - comes in for Kramer, with Kiesling replacing Bellarabi to partner Hernandez up front.
•  

   

  Bayer Leverkusen Subs: Ramalho, Boenisch, Brandt, Kramer, Kresic, Yurchenko, Bellarabi
•  

   

  Bayer Leverkusen (4-4-2): Leno; Donati, Tah, Papadopoulos, Wendell; Mehmedi, Toprak, Kampl, Calhanoglu; Hernandez, Kiesling
•  

   

  So just the one change for the hosts, with forward Edin Dzeko, who made a late substitute appearence in the previous match, taking the place of Torosidis, with Florenzi dropping back into defence.
•  

   

  Roma Subs: Castan, Iturbe, Maicon, Falque, Vainqueur, De Sanctis, Torosidis
•  

   

  Roma (4-3-3): Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Rüdiger, Digne; Pjanic, De Rossi, Nainggolan; Salah, Dzeko, Gervinho
•  

   

  The teams are in from the Italian capital, so without further ado, lets see who will be featuring tonight, starting with the hosts, managed by Rudi Garcia.
•  

   

  Hello and welcome to our LIVE text commentary of this Champions League Group E clash between Roma and Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadio Olimpico. The reverse fixture two weeks ago finished 4-4 in Germany, with Roma coming from two goals down to take a commanding lead before being pegged back late on. Hopefully tonight's game lives up to its predocessor!