A European tie that promised much delivered very little at a rain-soaked Stadio Olimpico as Roma and Lyon played out a goalless draw in the the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter.
Roma have not lost at their Stadio Olimpico since September 20, when they slipped up against Internazionale in Serie A, and the coach of the Italian team, Luciano Spalletti, believed his team might have done better had the playing surface been better.
'This result allows us to stay alive in the tie,' he said.
'It's a pity about the condition of the pitch because the rain favoured them as they are more of a physical team than us. There weren't many goalscoring opportunities because both teams were not wanting to take any risks.'
Roma captain Francesco Totti was not as influential as he would have wanted to be, but like his coach, is relieved to be travelling to France for the next game with all to play for.
'The qualification is still open,' Totti said.
'I think a goalless draw is a good result and I think in Lyon, we can land a punch. The French team is very good, but I think in this game, we were able to handle the difficult situations we faced.'
Totti admits he is desperate to succeed in this competition.
'Ever since I started playing football," he said, 'my main aim has been to win the Champions League. I've won the Scudetto, and I've won the World Cup, but I'm missing the Champions League, the Coppa Italia and finishing as the top scorer in Serie A.'
