Capello is relieved to escape with a point

Fabio Capello left Istanbul a satisfied man after his Roma side narrowly avoided becoming the latest team to surrender in the intimidating Ali Sami Yen stadium. Their hosts, Galatasaray, were a goal up until Emerson's dramatic injury-time leveller – an overhead kick after the goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon failed to collect a Cafu cross, gave them a 1-1 draw in the second phase of the Champions' League on Tuesday.

Defeat would have been tough on Roma, who controlled much of the match, and dominated after the second-half introduction of Antonio Cassano. "It was a very difficult match for both teams and I think we played very well," Capello, Roma's coach, said. "The important thing was to score the goal."

Emerson was taken aback by the Turks' approach. "Our opponents showed themselves to be very aggressive, at times overly so," he said. "We played very well in the second half, succeeding in making the game difficult for a good team."

Galatasaray, who finished second to Fenerbahce in the Turkish league last season, swept ahead in the first half through Sebastian Perez. But the introduction of Cassano in the second period changed the game. The disappointed Galatasaray coach, Mircea Lucescu, admitted: "As soon as Cassano came on, Roma played more dynamically."