Roma deliver Dynamo KO on first night

AS Roma continued their fine start to the season with a comfortable win against FC Dynamo Kyiv in their opening Group F fixture.

Breathtaking move
The result was rarely in doubt once Simone Perrotta had given the home side an early lead following a breathtaking move. The Ukrainian champions barely managed a shot in anger, although it was not until 20 minutes from time when Roma, thanks to the almost inevitable goal from captain Francesco Totti, made the game safe.

Birthday gift
Roma had enjoyed a perfect opening to the Italian campaign and began their European challenge in similar fashion in front of an expectant crowd at the Stadio Olimpico. Mancini fired dangerously across goal and Totti blazed wildly over before the breakthrough came in delicious style on nine minutes. Following fine one-touch build-up play, Alberto Aquilani slipped in Max Tonetto whose whipped cross was glanced in by Perrotta. The Italian international, who turned 30 two days ago, celebrated with a full-length dive.

Spirits up
With confidence high, Roma were pushing for a quick second. Marco Cassetti, up from right-back, almost provided it on 16 minutes but saw his swerving 18-metre effort well held by Olexandr Shovkovskiy. The goalkeeper had to be alert again five minutes later following another flowing move. Totti flashed the ball across goal and Tonetto's fierce drive from just outside the box was saved low down.

Post rattled
Dynamo, who have not progressed beyond the group stage in their last six attempts, had kicked off with two up front but Ismaël Bangoura and Maksim Shatskikh were seeing little of the ball. Indeed, it was a Roma defender, Juan, who should have doubled the advantage just before the half-hour. Taddei's cross from the right was flicked on by Perrotta yet the Brazilian could only side-foot against the post from close range.

Fingertip save
The ball was moving from one end to the other, with both teams guilty of surrendering possession. Four minutes after the restart the Giallorossi made rather better use of it, to go close once again. Mancini found time and space inside the area and then stared in disbelief as he watched Shovkovskiy pull off a terrific stop.

Fine football
If many of Roma's tricks were not coming off, when they did they were a joy to behold. After more one-touch play had pierced the heart of the Dynamo back line, Mancini's final pass was almost put into his own net by the back-peddling Taras Mikhalik. The second goal had to come and eventually it did. Ludovic Giuly, on for Mancini, should have scored yet he drove straight at Shovkovskiy when one-on-one with the keeper.

Second goal
On 70 minutes Roma's captain made no mistake having been sent clear by Perrotta. After waiting for Shovkovskiy to commit himself, Totti drilled a right-foot shot into the far corner. Aquilani almost added a third with a skidding effort from outside the box before Dynamo substitute Serhiy Rebrov had Doni stretching for the first time. Back at the other end, Cassetti struck the woodwork as Roma ran out easy 2-0 winners.