The “giallorossi” now advance to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1984, and their fans can start dreaming of the ultimate victory in the final in Kiev in May.
Roma’s Edin Dzeko set the ball rolling in the sixth minute, and after Daniele De Rossi converted a penalty 13 minutes after the break to get the home fans believing, Kostas Manolas glanced home a brilliant header with eight minutes left to send the Roma supporters into raptures and leave Barca wondering what had hit them.
With just seven minutes left Manolas met a corner with a unsaveable header, sparking wild celebrations on and off the pitch.
The hosts held on brilliantly to see the result out and go through to the semis for the first time since 1984, when they lost the final at home to Liverpool, Tuesday’s other victors.
Scores of fans celebrated in the centre of the Italian capital, including Roma’s billionaire Italian-American owner, James Pallotta, who was spotted frolicking in a fountain in Piazza del Popolo fully clothed. He assured the city council he would happily pay the fine for taking his unauthorized dip.
The feel-good factor was picked up on Wednesday by a jubilant Italian press.
