Manchester United safe, Chelsea not?

Manchester United's away goal in Rome might be just enough to see them through, but Chelsea have to win in Valencia to survive.

by Arjun Datta on 05 April 2007

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Roma 2 - 1 Manchester United

Italian hacks will no doubt play up this win. Roma's win was small reward for their thoroughly efficient performance. But the away goal will rankle. United fans will point to the lucky rebound for Roma's second goal but deep inside they know that it was very much what Roma deserved. And given that United's season has been littered with the odd lucky goal and penalty decision, it would be hard for them to complain. Cue United fans writing in to dispute that claim.

Still they cannot feel too hard done by. Their loss was minimal, given that they played the better part of the game with 10 men. And Wayne Rooney's goal ensured they have an away goal to take back to Old Trafford. As predicted, United missed Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic at the back. Roma's convoluted midfield, meanwhile, posed a hydra-like threat that was never quite nullified by the Premiership leader's defence. Roma's formation and tactics play off their lead man in Francesco Totti and in Rodrigo Taddei and Mancini, they have two players capable of unsettling almost any defence on their day.

The fact of the matter is that this result, though deserved, cannot be read into too much. United have had a stellar season. Consistent, strong and balanced. Everyone has a bad game or a game in which they are thoroughly outplayed by their opponents. It happens. There is still too much momentum on the United juggernaut for them to be derailed yet. Even a steady 1 - 0 win in the return leg will see them through on away goals.

Comments (8)

by bonnie.bb.s on April 05, 2007

i think a 2-1 win is nothing,roma could have taken avantage of the 10 man situation,considering man u 's form this season,i can only predict a home win at old trafford,you could see on the pitch even after scholes was sent off that the english boys were hard to beat,roma did absolutely nothing.

by carlo sartori on April 05, 2007

an anti-English agenda with a name like Arjun Datta? Never. Ask Newcastle or Boro fans about recent treatment at the hands of police in Europe. The fact that they're largely unaccustomed to away fans travelling in italy and france escapes you. You clearly fancy yourself as a journalist but it's not compulsory to be a complete p****. Check the facts before you make lazy and ignorant comments.

by SAMUEL EMEH on April 05, 2007

I BELIEVED CHELSEA WILL WIN VALENCIA,

by Mark on April 05, 2007

I think you meant to say in your introduction that Man U have to win, whereas Chelsea can go through with a draw. Man U lost last night and Chelsea didn't.. Please try and report accurately.

by jamie on April 05, 2007

by john on April 05, 2007

by longshot on April 06, 2007

Many legitimate criticisms can be made of Manchester United supporters but over-reaction to what was incompetent and brutal policing isn't one of them. I think any brief research into the appalling record of Italian police thuggery - and that of the Spanish, as seen all too clearly in the UEFA Cup last night - would indicate they are almost as likely to aggravate a potentially hostile situation as any 'Ultra'.

by osman on September 24, 2007

I an always in a crazy mood for man united.I love all the players and who ever says he is a fan of this great club.Winning all the trophies this season is my dream. Please reply.

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