Di Francesco: Roma played with focus

Cape Town - Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco was delighted that his players were able to pounce on Shakhtar Donetsk's mistakes and claim a 1-0 victory on Tuesday.

The Giallorossi came into the Champions League last-16 second-leg clash 2-1 behind on aggregate.

However, striker Edin Dzeko scored the decisive goal in the 52nd minute at Stadio Olimpico to help the Italian side progress on away goals.

"My team played with focus tonight, perhaps without as much quality in the final third, but we knew that sooner or later they would make a mistake and we'd pounce on it," Di Francesco told Mediaset.

"We made a few too many mistakes in the first leg and they made the most of them. The thing I liked the most was seeing them in the locker room, as this was a victory achieved by men and a group that goes forward together.

"In terms of organisation, I think we are doing much better and we worked on a few set-play routines too.

"We should've cut out more of their passes to send the full-backs forward in the first-half and perhaps their goalkeeper had more touches than anyone else, as they kept passing it back."

This is the first time since 2008 that Roma have managed to progress to the quarter-final stage of the Champions League.