Rampant Roma outclass Aris

Alberto Aquilani inspired AS Roma to an impressive 5-1 win in the home leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie against Aris Thessaloniki FC.

Exemplary display
The midfielder opened the scoring within seconds of the kick-off and then laid on goals for Cristian Panucci and Vincenzo Montella as Luciano Spalletti's side secured a comprehensive victory against their Greek opponents.

Perfect start
Montella's cross set up Aquilani to beat Evangelos Pourliotopoulos within the first minute of the game, and Roma were 2-0 up after 21 minutes when Panucci found the target with a powerful header from Aquilani's cross moments after Montella had hit the post.

Montella rewarded
Montella was soon to get the reward for his efforts as his close-range shot seven minutes later left Pourliotopoulos helpless, but Aris showed some signs of resistance in the 40th minute as Fernando Sanjurjo crashed a fine drive past Gianluca Curci to pull it back to 3-1.

Totti on target
Roma were not to be denied, though, and with 44 minutes on the clock they restored their three-goal advantage as Panucci's bouncing header ricocheted off a defender and into the net. Eight minutes after the break it was 5-1 as Francesco Totti converted a free-kick.

Late chance
Totti would have made it 6-1 but his effort was disallowed for offside with 15 minutes of the game remaining. Aris also had a chance to put a milder complexion on the scoreline, as Konstantinos Nebegleras fired narrowly wide of Curci's left post with time ticking away.