On This Day in 1982: Fairytale against Koln

A memorable afternoon at the Stadio Olimpico for all who remember it...

Perhaps it is too much to call it the original 'Romantada' - although it is nevertheless among the 10 occasions on which Roma have come from behind at the halfway stage to win a European tie.

And, just like in 2018, it certainly was against one of the top sides in Europe.

These days, FC Koln might spend their time battling down around the lower reaches of the Bundesliga, but back in the 1982-83 season they were a genuine powerhouse, both at home and in Europe.

Coached by the legendary Rinus Michels, who had or would go on to win plenty with Ajax, Barcelona and the Netherlands during his illustrious career, Koln also had some incredible talents to call upon - Schumacher, Littbarski and Bonhof, to name just three.

In this blockbuster last-16 clash in the UEFA Cup, the Germans had clinched a 1-0 first leg lead thanks to Klaus Allofs' strike.

Even though the season was still (relatively) young, in Serie A the Giallorossi supporters could already scent the possibility of a Scudetto victory. That did not mean, however, that a European adventure was being overlooked.

If anything, the motivation and the enthusiasm was only heightened by the positive start to the campaign at home.

"Everyone needs to do the impossible, to turn this game into an incredible celebration," came the pre-match call-to-arms from the Curva Sud.

"Scarves, flags, banners... no Giallorosso item should be left at home."

The aim was to turn the Olimpico into a sea of yellow and red, to heighten and enhance the occasion and to intimidate the opposition.

The banner that came up in the stands said it all: 'Non passa lo straniero' ('The foreigners don't go through').

The Curva sent further instructions: "We need to make sure they see our passion throughout Italy and Europa, all those watching on TV or listening on the radio. Don't sing before the game, only during it - so we don't waste our energy."

Roma-Colonia era la sfida tra due concezioni diverse del gioco del pallone. E tra due delle maggiori potenze del calcio mondiale. All'Olimpico si affacciarono eminenze grigie della politica e dell'imprenditoria italiana. Come Gianni Agnelli. L'Avvocato.

Of course, as we all know, everything ended up going exactly to plan that day.

The first half ended 0-0, but just 10 minutes into the second half Maurizio Iorio levelled the tie, prodding home after one of Agostino Di Bartolomei's trademark rockets was not properly dealt with.

A 1-0 scoreline would mean extra-time... in theory. In reality, the Giallorossi had different ideas. Roberto Pruzzo grabbed the ball in the 89th minute and laid it off for Paulo Roberto Falcao, who delivered a curling shot that nestled in the back of the net.

2-0. Tie won.

Non passa lo straniero.

"I could have gone to the sidelines, but I wanted to run over to the fans in the Curva Sud," Falcao said afterwards.

"I scored it right under them, for a start, but I also ran to them because they symbolise the love and passion of the Roma fans, of the passion of this city for this club."

He added: "As players we went to them because they support us through every adversity, despite hardly being able to see the game from over there."

The fans saw enough, though. Enough to witness a team produce a remarkable European comeback on this day - and enough to, perhaps, get a real sense that this was truly a team capable of winning the Scudetto.

Which, of course, they did.