Roma 0-0 Atletico Madrid: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi certainly had goalkeeper Alisson Becker to thank for a number of impressive saves he made during the 90 minutes - although Eusebio Di Francesco's side had chances of their own to grab the night's only goal and clinch the three points.

The first half was certainly an evenly-matched affair, with both Radja Nainggolan and Gregoire Defrel worrying Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal. At the other end Alisson was also busy, needing an assist from Kostas Manolas to deny Koke on one particularly incisive counter-attack.

In the second half Atletico's greater Champions League experience started to show, as they applied more pressure. But Alisson proved equal to everything thrown at him - making brilliant saves to deny Luciano Vietto, Saul Niguez and Angel Correa.

In the end Roma held on for an important point, and a positive start to the group stage.

Team selection

Eusebio Di Francesco made one change from the team that lost to Inter Milan in Roma's last match - as Bruno Peres came back in at right-back, with Juan Jesus shifting across to centre-back and Federico Fazio dropping to the bench.

Daniele De Rossi captained the side.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

10' - Frantic start to this one, Saul missing a good early chance for the visitors. Defrel flashes wide from distance.

18' - Dangerous attempt from Defrel - he latches onto Radja's driven ball and hits a half-volley narrowly wide...

26' - Griezmann flashes wide with a snapshot from inside the box.

30' - Perotti goes for it from 30 yards - the shot is well hit but it is always dragging narrowly wide...

32' - CLOSE! A free-kick is cut back for Radja ... whose powerful drive nearly squirms under Oblak!

33' - OFF THE LINE! Up the other end immediately, Manolas clears Koke's shot off the line, and Alisson smothers the follow-up!

37' - Dzeko flashes a shot wide from the edge of the six-yard box ... a good chance!

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

56' - Saul's defence-splitting pass finds Vietto ... but Alisson gets a vital touch to keep out the shot!

59' - Another good chance for the visitors ... but Saul shoots straight at Alisson from 18 yards out.

64' - Roma living a little dangerously ... Correa beats his man brilliantly but Alisson makes an incredible stop!

83' - Another good save from Alisson to palm away Correa's stinging drive.

85' - Another Roma claim for a penalty - this time Kolarov blocked off by Juanfran. But the referee is not interested.

90' - POST! Alisson makes a stunning point-blank save from Saul ... who hits the rebound off the post and out!

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“It's always nice to get compliments but I have to thank my team-mates who helped me today. It was a tough match and we knew it would be. We gave it our all but unfortunately we weren't able to get the goal. Still, it was important to keep a clean sheet at least – it's just reward for all the hard work we put in.”

- Alisson Becker

What's next?

The Giallorossi are back at the Stadio Olimpico for Serie A business on Saturday - as they host Hellas Verona.

They then have a midweek clash against Benevento on Wednesday, before returning to the Olimpico a week on Saturday for a meeting with Udinese.

The next Champions League game then follows - an away trip to meet Azerbaijan side Qarabag in Baku.

ROMA 0-0 ATLETICO MADRID

Roma: Alisson; Peres, Manolas, J. Jesus, Kolarov; Nainggolan (Pellegrini), De Rossi, Strootman; Defrel (Fazio); El Shaarawy, Perotti.

Atletico: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Filipe Luis; Saul, Partey, Gabi, Koke; Griezmann, Vietto.