Home > Football > Manchester United v Roma: Ferdinand fear as Totti heads for Old Trafford
by Patrick Cook on 08 April 2007
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All right, I'll admit I had no faith in Roma and they did very well in their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester United last week. A 2-1 lead is not convincing as they prepare for the return leg at Old Trafford and 1-0 to United will end the Italian club's fantastic run. There is hope for Roma, however. United have missed Nemanja Vidic due to injury. Without him, their defence has looked shaky and disorganised. Roma exploited it in the first leg and it was plain for all to see against Portsmouth. Rio Ferdinand's own goal underlined this and he, more then any other United player, suffers without the big Serbian alongside him. United must be starting to get the jitters. Chelsea closed the gap in the Premier League this weekend to just three points with six games to go, including what will be a magic encounter between the two title hopefuls. Chelsea seem almost certain to face Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the FA Cup Final, so domestic success is less than assured. If Roma can come out and get an early goal it could really dishearten the home team and if there was ever a case where you shouldn't attempt to defend a lead, this is it. Conversely, United need to be patient. Their defence is weak so they won't want to let Roma test their back line too often. This means playing an un-English style and controlling possession and territory. This will also be particularly difficult for the Red Devils without Paul Scholes to help control the midfield. Wayne Rooney scored his first Champions League goal in the first leg and if he can extend his goal tally further, he could make the difference for United.
What chance an England v Italy club final in the Champions League? Let Sportingo have your views.
Comments (10)
by Steve on April 08, 2007
Mr Cook what imbecile gives you space on the web? Your articles are so biased against Man United it is pathetic. As a journalist you are meant to shed light on events and be unbiased in presenting your opinions. I assume if you are not English you are at the least British, what is your affinity to the Italians? You should as most British people do, want an all English final. you cannot in any capacity condone the antics of the Italian or Spanish police. I would remind you that English fans are involved at at least 46 professional games every weekend yet there is not a sniff of trouble inside the stadiums. You are Partisan Mr. Cook, against England's biggest club and as the league table shows currently the best team. Get a life mate.
by Fitzmaurice on April 08, 2007
Why would it be great to see Roma v AC Milan in the semis? Italian teams don't deserve to be where they are now in the Champions League, let alone the semis. Utd v Valencia in the final, watch.
by patcook on April 08, 2007
Firstly, Journo's dont have to be unbiased if its an opinion piece, infact an opinion cannot be unbiased. Secondly im not british. Why should Italian and Spanish teams not progress? The teams weren't starting crowd problems. Lrts not forget Man Utd created a tense atmosphere in the crowd by releasing inflamatory warnings before the game. Stupid Steve your just as Partisan as me so i dont know how you can whinge
by united beliver on April 08, 2007
u shit head united WILL beat roma because we have our secret weapon..... namely DONG
by carlo sartori on April 08, 2007
Twat
by lil josh on April 09, 2007
i do not understand what the guy wrote just in that paragraph as it doesn tmean anything when we played in rome they came at us hammer and thong and the two goals the scored were not ones of beauty but of pure luck, the first goal came off brown and the second one was a van der sar mistake maybe we should put kuzack in goal but if we put a lot of prssure on rome and the crowd gets right behind are players then i think we can do it, the key is to disrupt their play and close down two maybe three key players totti, mancini and de rossi mancini coming inside and crosses, totti and his shots adn de rossi starting the pce we dont want them playing football
by Kottu on April 10, 2007
Do you not think, some of the writers in here are amateur! Manchester United have had one of the best defensive records the past two seasons. Given United's adventurous style of play, I think the defense needs more credit than someone just calling it 'leaky'
by MATHIAS on April 10, 2007
i really find the man u defense highly suspect sine vidic got injured>rio and van der sar have never seemed to get on well and this might prove crucial for them since with the likes of totti around you need a stable backline!
by Essexian76 on April 10, 2007
Come on you REDS!, Ugh, there its done, good luck tonight
by squidboy on April 11, 2007
You were so right. Twa.
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