ROME, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Juan Culio scored twice as CFR Cluj came from behind to beat AS Roma 2-1 and make a stunning Champions League debut in their Group A opener at the Stadio Olimpico.Christian Panucci had headed the Serie A side in front in the 17th minute after Daniele De Rossi stole the ball near the corner flag and whipped a cross to the near post.Argentine forward Culio levelled in the 27th with a diagonal strike from outside the area set up by a sweet lay-off from Eugen Trica.
He then volleyed home a loose header from Marco Cassetti four minutes after the break to give the Romanian champions a night to remember.After a cagey start, the hosts began to exert pressure and Mirko Vucinic hit one shot narrowly wide and struck the post with another shortly before Panucci's goal.But, as in the 3-1 defeat to Palermo and 1-1 draw with Napoli in their first two Serie A games, the Romans failed to build on the advantage.Goalkeeper Doni had to punch away a well-struck effort from Cluj's Sebastian Dubarbier and Culio hit a shot over the bar before finding the net.
The equalizer boosted the Romanian side's confidence and midfielder Dani called Doni into action again with another long-distance shot five minutes before the break as whistles of frustration came from the home crowd.The Italian team were without centre backs Philippe Mexes and Juan and Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta, and their injury problems got worse at the start of the second half when Panucci hobbled off.
Culio's second came almost immediately after that and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti tried to boost his side by bringing on captain Francesco Totti, who is not 100 percent fit after a knee injury.But the visitors were well organized at the back and dangerous on the counter-attack, with midfielder Sixto Peralta nearly adding a third when he hit the crossbar with a header.
He then volleyed home a loose header from Marco Cassetti four minutes after the break to give the Romanian champions a night to remember.After a cagey start, the hosts began to exert pressure and Mirko Vucinic hit one shot narrowly wide and struck the post with another shortly before Panucci's goal.But, as in the 3-1 defeat to Palermo and 1-1 draw with Napoli in their first two Serie A games, the Romans failed to build on the advantage.Goalkeeper Doni had to punch away a well-struck effort from Cluj's Sebastian Dubarbier and Culio hit a shot over the bar before finding the net.
The equalizer boosted the Romanian side's confidence and midfielder Dani called Doni into action again with another long-distance shot five minutes before the break as whistles of frustration came from the home crowd.The Italian team were without centre backs Philippe Mexes and Juan and Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta, and their injury problems got worse at the start of the second half when Panucci hobbled off.
Culio's second came almost immediately after that and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti tried to boost his side by bringing on captain Francesco Totti, who is not 100 percent fit after a knee injury.But the visitors were well organized at the back and dangerous on the counter-attack, with midfielder Sixto Peralta nearly adding a third when he hit the crossbar with a header.
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