Spugna celebrates 'historic achievement'

Roma Women booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League with an emphatic 5-0 victory over St. Polten on Friday night.

In a rain-delayed game in Latina, the Giallorosse scored four goals in the final 10 minutes to clinch an historic knockout spot in remarkable fashion.

Here is what coach Alessandro Spugna had to say after the contest...

An historic achievement for Roma - from debutants to quarter-finalists in the same season...

“Yes, it's historic. I think we are the first debutants in Champions League history to reach the quarter-finals. It's a big achievement. In July probably no-one believed it was possible, and yet now we will go and play in the knockout stages as one of the eight best sides in Europe.

It's amazing, and it's thanks to everyone: the club, the girls, the coaching staff, everyone who works with us each and every day. It's a beautiful adventure."

Were you worried the game was going to be called off at all?

“Well, at one point I was, because it was raining something crazy. But I have to say that the groundstaff played a vital role, because we were able to get the game started again.

"And we did a really good job, because it's not easy to get going again after 25 minutes or so of standing around. We had warmed up, we'd started the game, then we had to stop ... it wasn't easy, but the girls did a really good job of getting back up to speed immediately. And from that everything went well."

Now you can start to think about who you might face next, even if you will have to wait a while to find out...

“Yes, I think the draw is going to be in February. Right now we have no idea who we could get out of the pot.

"But I think whoever we are drawn against it is going to be a great game, because we will be playing against some amazing teams. Let's see. when the time comes, we'll think about it a bit more."