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AS Roma battled to a tough 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon at the Stadio Olympico to put themselves in pole position to snatch the second knock-out phase qualification place behind group leaders Man Utd.
With United winning their third match in a row and seemingly cantering to the group G win, Roma claimed their second success in three games to move three points clear of Sporting and six clear Dynamo Kiev.
Avoiding defeat in two weeks time in Portugal might just be enough to ensure their place in the second round for the second year in a row.
Roma started the game with key midfielders Simone Perrotta and Rodrigo Taddei injured and they lost captain and playmaker Francesco Totti after barely half an hour to an injured ankle.
But by then they were already a couple of goals in the game as defender Juan headed home a David Pizarro corner on the quarter hour mark to put the hosts in front.
But just three minutes later and Sporting's Brazilian striker Liedson restored parity, heading home a cross from Fernando Abel.
Roma took control from there but spurned the chance to move back in front just after the break as Alessandro Mancini missed a penalty.
They were not to be denied the winner, though, and substitute Mirko Vucinic beat two players down the left before cutting inside and scoring from a tight angle.
Written by majicka
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