Apr 01
Roma v Man Utd: Preview
Four things spring to mind when we talk about a clash with Roma: Foremost in every United fan (and every Roma fan as well, albeit with a hint of dread) would be the 7-1 win at Old Trafford; the second would be the shit United fans had to put up with every time they went to Rome; the third, although to a lesser extent, would be Francesco Totti; and the fourth, especially when we got to hear the draw would have been, ‘Oh no, not again!’
So there we go, in yet another edition of a Roma-United clash; the word ‘clash’, we’d hope is not literal, and something our fans don’t face today.
But before diving into the excitement, let’s get a little United related news out of the way first. It’ll be quick, I assure you.
Rio Ferdinand wants to finish his career at United. I love to hear that! Now, Mr. Gill, please sign him up as soon as possible and get this over with. I’d like to talk a little more about this, but I promised to get the news out of the way soon, and Ahmed has written pretty much everything I wanted to say on this here.
There was an article in the Guardian on Anderson that escaped my attention. It was an interesting read, so here it is. He does come across as a confident bloke — a touch arrogant, but honest.
Meanwhile Daniel Taylor jumps on to the bandwagon of Ronaldo having to prove himself in Europe in order to better Best. On this occasion, it becomes slightly harder to argue with him because he quotes some stats for a change — which is some improvement.
Right. Back to today’s game, Fergie is confident of a good performance while expressing concern over fan trouble marring the proceedings. Meanwhile, Daniele De Rossi reckons United are beatable.
In team news it’s rather mixed, I have to say; EVDS, Giggs and Evra are passed fit, while Carrick is not. From the squad, Nani hasn’t travelled which means he hasn’t recovered from his injury that kept him out of Portugal’s friendly. I hope it’s not very serious and he returns for the weekend.
I think Fergie will start with a more cautious 4-3-3. Anderson, Hargreaves and Scholes will likely form the midfield three. Giggs, Rooney and Ronaldo will line up ahead, and our fab four will form the defensive wall, with EVDS between the sticks. A good team, and I believe Hargreaves would certainly get to start today. Tevez should come on as an impact sub like he did against Lyon. So we’ll have to wait and watch.
I don’t expect a swashbuckling performance from us. However, despite Totti’s absence, Roma will come at us hard and our defence would be tested for certain.
Prediction: 1-0 to United.
Picture via Redcafe
Related items from Red Rants:- Rooney Out For A Month
- Derby County v Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Roma vs Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd vs Roma: Preview
Tags: Game Preview · UEFA Champions' League
April 1st, 2008 at 10:57
Rio Ferdinand is one of the best defenders in the game today (if not the best) he is a rock. 15 goals only this season, of course with the help of Vidic Evra EVDS and Brown and thats why every one of them is so imprtant to us, too bad Wes is leaving I wish he changes his mind and stays, he is a true team player. Lets hope Evra stays too, it would be a big blow if we lose a great player like him (i dont think there is a better replacement).
Anderson is a magician and hopefully he matures into something much greater, he has the potential and the environment to do so. I think winning the league this year would boost his confidence and we might even have a player who can beat Ronny.
I hope everyone would be fit by tonight, too bad Nani isnt and I feel sorry for Fletcher he was a player who wanted to win, he showed his United spirit in every game he played.
I expect to win and I will predict just this once 1-0 to United.
April 1st, 2008 at 11:24
IF thats going to happen now and then we are about lose lot of players.Its not at all good.These are high quality players.They have dedicated their lives to club,and if they are asking a high pay whats the big deal.
I would certainly mind,if other players are getting 120K per week and i still luring around 70K.Its team that matters.When will our negotiation guys understand.
Between Roma clashes are always beautiful.Ronny sure likes to harass them.Its Rooney this time whose gonna make their things worse.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:02
Hope the team doesn’t play like they did against Lyon in the first leg…too respectful
Giggs and Scholes on the same pitch is not enough closing down for me…Tevez running around like a mad man is actually very important.
Villa was an easy win but the way they managed to stroll up to United’s penalty box unchallenged was worrying. Sure the team was taking it easy but it reminds be of a few seasons back when the midfield was a gaping hole.
All the new signings have altered this trend: Nani , Tevez, Anderson and Hargreaves all run at the player on the ball, tirelessly closing down.
If the energy is there then the team can win this first leg, but if not then anything can happen…maybe Giggs will have a blinder
April 1st, 2008 at 12:36
If we are going for a 4-3-3, it should be Tevez-Rooney-Ronaldo up front.
Tevez is any day more effective than Giggs and he can more than compensate for Giggs’s absence on the left wing by playing deep. Thats what he loves to do anyway, and blaze around like the apache he is. Tevez and Rooney are a must in the starting line-up.
April 1st, 2008 at 13:58
In reading the preiews to this match, how many times have you read “7-1 thrashing” or “memorable 7-1 victory”? Is it just me, or is there and element of pride that most Brits derive from that victory?
Honestly though, it is getting a bit annoying. Thanks for dealing with it in a sensible and neutral manner RR!
I see a 3-1 United win tonight, mark my words! Rooney to score. Good luck to United fans in Rome! You’ll need it,
April 1st, 2008 at 14:59
I am confident ahead of tonights game. One reason: United are in their best form this year! Second reason: Roma know they have to win there if they want to win on aggregate. United should counter them dead. Now, since none of you pointed out that Ronaldo and Evra both have two yellow cards this season, I will. If any of them get a yellow card tonight, they will miss the return leg. I dont think United will go out and attack, but if we take our chances we should score some goals. Expect VDS, fab 4, Owen, Scholes, Anderson, Ronaldo, Giggs and Rooney to start. I say, United win 2-0 thanks to Rooney and Ronaldo goals.
April 1st, 2008 at 15:35
RR: Is this the first time you’ve put up a picture? Don’t like the clutter it causes
April 1st, 2008 at 15:37
This game had draw written all over it. Fergie doesnt like taking chances in europe, so dont expect United to score more than 1 goal. It is absolutely important that we dont concede, but watching our back four this year I think it is a very do-able task.
I also expect a big game from rooney, if he is in goal scoring mood, then forget what I said about a draw. World class player play big in World class games. the stage is set for our boys to show their quality.
April 1st, 2008 at 16:14
For all you people who have been bashing Roo lately, here is a quote from Daniele De Rossi who believe it or not actually has respect for Wazza.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=521781&cc=5901
‘I really like Rooney, he is among the best three players in the world,’ he said. ‘I just hope it
will not be Rooney’s night.’
Thats right best 3 players in the world, he may not be an out and out goalsorer, but I think we’ve been doing just fine with him in the lineup, even with his dip in goalscoring form. I think those 2 goals against the villains will have done wonders for his confidence, and we all know what happens when a confident Wayne Rooney is on the pitch.
April 1st, 2008 at 16:16
Totti is out, but have a look at vucinic he is a great player and one i think we should be looking at for next season.
April 1st, 2008 at 16:19
i Know this is off topic but porto might be relagated from the first division for match fixing,if so we may get bosingwa very cheap
dont know if this is just a rumor can anyone confirm it???
April 1st, 2008 at 16:23
Lol, the clutter?
Anyhoo, I am of the opinion that tonight is the time to strike. Without Perrotta (Suspended), Totti and Juan (injured), a core of players is missing there that is vital to them. Yes, the 4-3-3 is inevitable, it should be Tevez, Roon and Ron that front it. Rather than Giggs. Tevez’s work rate is probably higher than Giggs’ these days anyway. As for the experience argument, everyone has already played them at home twice (bar Tevez) and some of them have played there away twice in the last year.
—————— VDS ——————-
Brown — Ferdinand —– Vidic —— Evra
—— Carrick* — Scholes — Hargreaves
Ronaldo ——– Rooney ———– Tevez
Carrick hasnt been rules out completely yet, I dont think, he just sat out training last night. Anderson can deputise competantly for him anyway.
I think if we play too safe, we may endanger the tie, get a goal or two, and its ours for the taking. Also, Ronny, if you’re going to dive to win a freekick, try doing it when Di Rossi is tackling you. He needs 1 more yellow to get a suspension and miss the 2nd leg. I hate talk like this, but it would be useful.
Also, Scholes, could you finished the 90 minutes in the Stadio this time, please.
United to win 2-1.
April 1st, 2008 at 16:30
Hmm, I heard first that they could relegated but now it seems they might just get 6 points deducted. Its along way from happening and the case will need to go to court first. Its like the Italian situation again, it takes ages to happen and will ultimately be disapointing when it does. (Weren’t we all hoping we could snag Gattuso out of that?!)
April 1st, 2008 at 16:59
[Utsav]
What clutter? I used to put up pictures regularly, but then it was tiresome. I’d prefer to write than upload pics.
April 1st, 2008 at 17:23
I think it would be very foolhardy to play both our strikers Rooney and Tevez when Saha is not available. If one got injured it would create a calamity for the club. I think Fergie will start Rooney as a lone striker up front and bring Tevez in only if he feels he needs him after 60 to 65 minutes into the game. Our nagging injuries could hurt us in Rome. Also, our current form has been predicated on the fact that we have played attacking football. In Rome I’m sure Fergie will will stress defense first and trying to keep a clean sheet or possibly steal one with a counter attack. This game will not be pretty if we have to defend for our lives. If we come out and attack, Roma is good enough that they could exploit our defenses. They are a quality side that will be coming out with ambition and revenge on their minds. Caution is definitely the key here. 1-1, 0-0 or possibly 1-0 will suffice. Will save the blitzkrieg for the return leg at OT. The real key will be how we handle the first half hour.
April 1st, 2008 at 17:35
Madrid were too cautious in the 1st leg and Roma punished them in the Bernabeu. If we rely on having to get goals at OT, Roma are capable of getting a goal. Hell, even 6-0 down they still got a goal at OT. With the players they hav missing, I feel they’ll be more scared in this game than they will be at OT when those players are back.
If we are cautious, which we probably will be, then we have to take the chances that we create. If its a nervy tight game, you may only be looking at 2 or 4 shots on target. We need to get a 50% conversion rate if thats the case. This basically means, we cannot afford to be as profligate as we have been in the last month.
April 1st, 2008 at 17:54
I read What De rossi said in the italian press conference and I do have to agree on what he said
He feels Man utd Have yet to prove that they are a great team in europe.I completely agree with his view
and I also Believe fergie has got the best squad in europe yhis season and If Alex FGerguson can’t
Win the UCL this season then I guess he won’t be able to win it any sooner.Hopefully all his failures
in Europe for the past 9 years would have gave him some insight on how to play among the best clubs
and He also Should be happy that all the big boys are out of this years UCL.So let’s SEE WHETHER FERGIE
CAN PULL THIS OFF THIS YEAR>
I think He Would go out with a 4-3-3 formation then later bring tevez on.United should atleast get a draw.
April 1st, 2008 at 17:55
BTW giggs is too old nowadays,Should probably be Tevez ron and rooney
with anderson,scholes and Carrick/hargo and our back four..
April 1st, 2008 at 18:02
[RR] I said clutter coz on my screen, the 1sr para can be read only one word in one line. But the picture is too funny.
There are a few things here we need to take care of. Roma are very dangerous in counters (read: Extremely dangerous). Madrid made the mistake of going there and attacking. We should just sit and let them battle the midfield. We too have a great counter attacking play in us.
Rooney will be the only striker upfront
Carrick, although declared fit(i hope), will be rested because we have no dearth of midfielders.
Nani is out, so Giggsy will play.
The only thing that worries me, is our lack of bench strenght. If its going horribly wrong, we have noone to call upon apart from Tevez(a bit spoilt aren’t we, here?)
I just hope no one gets injured in this match.
April 1st, 2008 at 18:32
[Utsav] Switch to Firefox. At least that’s the preferred choice of the civilized world.
April 1st, 2008 at 18:40
[Grognard]
It takes only one bad tackle to injure a player. There is not much correlation between having two strikers on the pitch and facing an injury crisis. For that matter, Tevez this season has been fitter than Rooney. And if that’s your main worry, then Ronaldo getting injured would be a bigger calamity — and he plays almost every game. So, I have to say, your reasoning is specious at best.
The main reason playing one striker up front would be for caution, and not for protecting players from the possibility of injuries. Fact: We have been playing with two fit strikers for a good part of this season and, hence, have been treading thin ice for long.
April 1st, 2008 at 18:54
VDS
Brown
Ferdinand
Vidic
Evra
Ronaldo
Scholes
Carrick
Anderson
Park
Rooney
Giggs not passed fit.
Id have been tempted to put Anderson on the left and play Hargreaves in centre midfield.
We’ll see what happens.
CMON!
April 1st, 2008 at 19:14
[meddleuk]
was that the official startin line up?
April 1st, 2008 at 19:18
hopefully park will put in a good performance (if he plays), he hasn’t played much of late and will want to impresse with a good solid performance. he is another united player that gives his all and doesn’t stop running hard for the full 90mins. im always nervous when we play roma because they are a classy team that can punish you on the counter attacks. also there is revenge/pride at stake which can be the diciding factor at times. let’s hope we draw and or at least get an away goal. 2-1 to United.
April 1st, 2008 at 19:20
meddleuk i agree, or tevez on the left
April 1st, 2008 at 19:29
yes, that’s the official lineup - here it is again, with subs:
Starting XI: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Ronaldo, Park, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Hargreaves, Giggs, Pique, O’Shea, Silvestre, Tevez.
surprised to see hargreaves on the bench, but to be fair none of the 3 midfielders can be displaced on form. Giggs and probably Tevez will each get 15-30 minutes depending on the game situation.
April 1st, 2008 at 19:29
Red Ranter; With all due respect, I couldn’t disagree with you more. Yes your reason for not playing both strikers is valid too but preventing injuries by only playing one of the two available strikers for the full game is also very necessary for the future schedule we face. If we were to lose one of those two because they both started, then we would be down to one striker and Ronaldo. There is more of a chance for an injury if both play 90 minutes than if one comes on when he is most needed. It’s the old save for a rainy day mentality. Trust me, if Tevez or Rooney went down with an injury in the 13th minute you would start seeing things more my way. Ronaldo is always going to be a risk because he is irreplaceable no matter how many wingers or rmf’s we have. But the game is structured around strikers scoring goals. If all your strikers are injured, it destroys your teams tactical and strategic makeup as a team needs qualified target men to move the ball forward. You have to be cautious until Saha returns at least.
April 1st, 2008 at 19:31
I see Fergie sees it my way when it comes to sitting Tevez. I just don’t understand why Hargo who was born for this competition is not being played?
April 1st, 2008 at 19:38
Saha? Return? Did you miss the last year or so?
Carrick and Anderson are in great form and Scholes too. Fergie backs form over potential in most cases.
April 1st, 2008 at 19:43
good luck and lets hope everyone stays safe! (though Isee missiles already being thrown by roma fans and italian tv has already pickd up on it.
anyho… LETS ENJOY THE FOOTBALL
2-1 UNITED
April 1st, 2008 at 20:19
passing so far has been atrocious. Vidic gone off-a big blow
April 1st, 2008 at 20:21
fuck! Vidic is off injured, really hope its not too serious!hopefully we can continue our solid defence and nick one on the counter! come on you red devils
April 1st, 2008 at 20:24
Ronaldo does it again!
April 1st, 2008 at 20:30
wohooo…perfect start…now lets stick to the task…keep pressing…dont let them take the upper hand by giving them possession….
hail scholes the creator, that boy ronaldo the scorer!!!
April 1st, 2008 at 20:35
RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOO RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO….
Might I add, Park is doing a good job. Hope Vida is OK
April 1st, 2008 at 20:37
Man I can’t believ he did it again, it sucks though he couldn’t celebrate it in full, but then again may be he will have another chance
April 1st, 2008 at 20:42
For all the whining Ronaldo and Ferguson do for all the fouls that are committed against Cristiano, it becomes obvious in games like this that they obviously have a legitimate point. Roma are playing like total wankers and they are fouling Ronaldo every time he is near the ball. It’s a disgrace but if I was the Roma manager I would do the same thing tactically. And they still can’t stop him. he’s a God.
Roma does not match up well with us because we just have more talent. It’s that plain and simple. We can attack, defend, change tempo and style of play and never skip a beat. A lot of us might have been down before the goal but I felt that Roma were playing in to our hands. My one knock was the Scholes was giving the ball away to much. But then he offers a beautiful ball to Ronaldo so all is forgiven. I hope to heck that Vidic’s injury is not serious. The way he landed I think he hyper extended his knee. If that indeed is the case, it hurts like a bugger but it gets better quickly. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
Time to bring in Hargo and sit Park. Defend like crazy and come out of this game 1-0 or 1-1 at the worst.
April 1st, 2008 at 20:42
Genius Ronaldo as usual. Good defending, with Rio imperious for now.
But we are still a bit lucky to lead for my money, as Roma played well.
Don’t understand why Park is playing when Tevez could be doing the same job with more attacking threat.
But I don’t like this Ronaldo up front line up one bit. Whats the use of players developing automatisms for them to play in this unusual lineup fo such an important game?
I know the byword here is “SAF nows best” but this team selection, and more precisely the positioning of players leaves me perplexed. Let’s hope I’m proven wrong.
April 1st, 2008 at 20:45
lets go 4 the 2nd goal now
April 1st, 2008 at 20:46
I fear Vidic’s done his ligaments. The way he twisted and the reaction seemed to be to a pop…plus he couldn’t really put weight on it. I’m just in shock, losing him for the rest of the season would be catastrophic…
Ronaldo haters will say he’s been anonymous, but it’s onyl cause he’s fouled literally everytime he touches the ball. Then wham, brave as you like for the header. I love it, in the slwo mo replay, he’s not even in the penalty area when scholes chips, it’s like he’s moving in real time and no one else is. So impressed.
Bring off Anderson and get Hargo on there.
April 1st, 2008 at 20:48
fuckin crap this time last year vidic got injured and our treble dreams took a beating
April 1st, 2008 at 21:11
Book your tickets to the Semi-Final boys, it’s 2-0. Gods be praised Rooney scored a goal poachers goal. BRILLIANT!
April 1st, 2008 at 21:11
good work there from park for the second goal.
April 1st, 2008 at 21:14
great fuckin game Screw the i talians the spaniards are next?????????????????
MY OWN ROONEY
April 1st, 2008 at 21:18
It’s time to put this tie to bed..we’re sure to get a couple of more chances now, convert just one more, make it 3-0..that’s home and dry. Yeah I’m being a bit too brash, but wat the hell, we look like we can score more!
April 1st, 2008 at 21:43
Really professional performance by the lads, hope Vida is alright, but the way he hyper extended the knee i’m not sure he will be. Fingers crossed.
VDS was my man of the match. Good to see Ronaldo and Rooney on the scoresheet again.
Ronaldo with 7 champions league goals sets him up well for the world player of the year award he craves.
It would have been such a wicked goal had he scored where Tevez set him up.
April 1st, 2008 at 21:54
The only dull point on a truly entertaining and commanding match is Vida’s injury. Hopefully the boy will be back soon. Ronaldo, well there’s no more words to describe the guy is there? Everything he touches just turns to gold.
April 1st, 2008 at 21:58
Job done, thank you Alex! I was worried when i saw our makeup but what do i know? you are a master. i hope vida isn’t too bad, it looked painfull. We’ll stuff them in Old Trafford! A good post match interview from Ronaldo! emphasising the team performance. Our Boy is growing up!
April 1st, 2008 at 22:02
Ronaldo’s head has improved so much since last season. H
April 1st, 2008 at 22:05
Let’s hope De Rossi thinks we are a team that have proved themselves in a Europe a little bit more
April 1st, 2008 at 22:06
Great game…well Ronaldo I guess everything was already said. What I like the most is, that even with the odds aginst him in this big games, he still does it. Also did you hear our guys singing both Ronaldo songs…it was unbelievable 4 thousand of them were outsinging Italians. Great job i say
April 1st, 2008 at 22:09
Better 2nd half, but mostly because Roma were downhearted after Rooney’s goal.
With United’s quality about 2 occasions were enough to convert into a 2 goal lead, and the defense was good, but many of you guys fail to acknowledge the fact that for much of the match Roma did pose genuine threat.
Yes, most United players were very good. But they did win the match as if they were frigging italians, or germans for that matter.
Grognard must be creaming after this performance but i’ll be more reserved.
All in all, United were flawless, but its the defensive approach to the game that bugs me.
Park was nonetheless good on the day. Its just a shame that Fletch’s season is over as for me he was bound to play in this game. Now let’s hope for a quick Vida recovery.
And finally, all those biased Italian journaists will finally vote for Ronnie after his latest masterclass for him to win the World Player of the Year award.
April 1st, 2008 at 22:11
That was a master class in professionalism and tactical superiority. Applaud Fergie and Queiroz as they prepared the lads well and they all delivered a virtuoso away performance against a great team in hostile territory. Quite simply had Ronaldo put away his last two chances it could have been worse. Roma had a number of half chances and when they did have a true crack at goal, EVDS makes his best reflex save of the season. It wasn’t meant to be for the Italian outfit as they are clearly out classes by United with or without Tootsi (Ooops! I meant Totti). We would have to completely fall apart now not to complete the task at OT. Outstanding team effort and once again kudos and well done to Fergie for outsmarting his Italian opposite number.
RATINGS:
EVDS 7/10 - Actually never really had much to do but when called upon came up aces. His reflex save in the second half is one of the goalkeeping highlights of the season.
BROWN 6/10 - In the first half he was giving up space and allowing both the LFB and LMF to gain space and cause problems. Was more steady in the second half but still was responsible for Roma’s best chances in the game.
RIO 8/10 - Another master class of rock steady defending without having to do anything special. Was always the last bastion of defense when things broke down early and late in the game. Never skipped a beat after losing Vidic.
VIDIC 6/10 - Was fine but never paklyed enough of a game to really make a solid judgment. Hopefully his injury is not great.
EVRA 8/10 - Did a fine job defensively and made some great passes and counter attacking runs that caused trouble.
PARK 7/10 - Played a big part in the second goal and was strong on the ball while causing Roma fits with his running and tracking.
CARRICK 7/10 - Like Saturday, he was steady if unspectacular. His passing was safe and focused as well, he did make a few attacking forays
which almost led to goals.
SCHOLES 6/10 - Yes Scholsey mad a great little cross to Ronaldo for the first goal but he seemed a little slow today and he gave the ball away far too many times. Fortunately he was not punished for it but he didn’y have a great day. Still, he does have a calming effect on the team.
ANDERSON 6/10 - Why this boy is starting over Hargo and or Giggs mystifies me. He was out of his league today and he looked lost. As he did not commit any errors of note I cannot give him a lower rating but he did seem totally invisible out there.
RONALDO 8/10 - Sure he was a little more composed and contained but he caused nightmares for Roma and therefore they were forced out of their game and had to foul him at every chance they found. His goal was fantastic and he was unlucky not to have potted a hat tricks he hit the post and missed scoring a cracker near the end. I guess one can say he does come up big in big games even if he isn’t running at full throttle. I am also noticing a tremendous increase in his maturity after he is fouled. He is winning more and more refs approval by his professionalism and good attitude and sportsmanship.
ROONEY 8/10 - Worked his butt off and made some great runs and passes that caused problems. He also tracked back and defended very well. I am elated not that he scored a goal, but that he scored a typical garbage, goal poachers special ala RVN. Sometimes those are more meaningful than a cracker from 20 meters. He is also showing more patience and maturity in his game.
O’SHEA 8/10 - What a great job under extreme pressure for Big John. Came in and did a fantastic job covering for the loss of Vidic. If he had played the whole game he would have been my man of the match. As is, he just misses out.
HARGREAVES 7/10 - The team totally took over and controlled the game and possession after Hargo showed up. He was very good and was always at the right place when needed. Also made some interesting attacking runs that never panned out but not due to his lack of effort.
TEVEZ To little time to judge.
Man of the Match - CRISTIANO RONALDO with honorable mention to RIO FERDINAND and JOHN O’SHEA.
I’m beginning to hum “Back in the USSR” in my head. Must be a good omen.
April 1st, 2008 at 22:11
I think we should have scored two more goals.We had so many golden oppurtunities to put the game to bed.One more goal and we could have already had one leg in the semi-finals.
Now Roma will go all out at old trafford and i hope we don’t sit back and defend the two goal lead.But we still are favoraites to go through.
Vidics’ injury looks bad.I hope he recovers quickly.We need him badly for the semi-finals if not the second leg quarters.
April 1st, 2008 at 22:12
Shannon; Do you mean Ronaldo’s heading ability or do you mean his mental maturity????
April 1st, 2008 at 22:21
Roma belongs to the past already. Only Barcelona stands between United and Moscow now, as long as Vidic’s injury isn’t a serious one.
April 1st, 2008 at 22:26
Ronaldo is unbelievable.How did he score that goal.Thank goodness the cheats who vote 4 WPOTY don’t have an excuse this time around.Kaka my foot.HARGO SHOULD START in europe til moscow.His intro coincided with confident play in mid.I hope Vida is ok.
April 1st, 2008 at 22:32
Jay Wire; Those cheats you mention may yet screw Ronaldo over again depending on how well he does at EURO 08 and whether some other star has a tremendous tournament. Winning the Champions League should nail it down for him though.
April 1st, 2008 at 22:51
Guys, match report just went up. Grognard, could you put the player ratings over there in the comments as well?
Ah, it’s good to win in Europe - should we go nuts like Arsenal because we beat the #2 team away in Italy instead of a team struggling to qualify for the Champions League?
April 1st, 2008 at 22:58
Jay Wire and Grognard - you’ve both got great insight a lot of people miss. Hargreaves did indeed make an immense difference to our midfield. Roma were giving us a hammering down the left after halftime, with their fullback flying continuously down the wing and getting dangerous crosses in every time. When Hargo came on, he plugged that gap where before we had been close to sinking life the bismark!. And he took the game to them up our right side and was stopping their play now down that side. He should be playing in Europe, because although Anderson is good, he does not have the experience and effectiveness in Europe that Hargo has. That’s all. But well done the reds.
April 1st, 2008 at 23:41
Brilliant away performance in Europe! That’s how to get the job done!
Grognard, I would give Rio a 9 or even a 9.5 out of 10. He was simply immense tonight, especially given Vida’s enforced withdrawal. His reading of the game was immaculate and consequently Roma were restricted to half chances as you said. Time and time again he made crucial interventions and I reckon he was the MoM, shading Ronaldo.
Ronaldo took his goal extremely well though, and Rooney looks like he is going to go on one of those goalscoring runs which are his specialty, so it bodes pretty well for the remaining few weeks of the season indeed….
April 2nd, 2008 at 0:01
[craig mc] Hargo also did well because Roma was dispirited after the second goal.
Hey don’t any of you guys think we rode our luck a bit?
WE all know that Roma don’t have a true striker or proper goalscorer. I would have not expected that kind of finishing if we let Barca play their game against us.
Yes, I’m fickle.
April 2nd, 2008 at 0:32
NicoQB; At this stage of the year I would rate Roma a better outfit than Barcelona even without Totti. They just don’t match up well with us the same way we for whatever inexplicable reason have problems against West Ham. And I would take Roma’s striker Vucinic any day. He is a big secret because of Totti but he is an outstanding young striker.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:18
NicoQB - I don’t know whether that is the case or not mate!. All I know is, that Hargo should have been on from the start, because Anderson (although he is a great fave with many of you, ) was very ineffective in this game. And dare I say this without getting jumped on by Anderson fans, I think he has gone a little off the boil in a few matches recently. He is also a NOVICE in Europe and it shows!. Hargo is experienced and it also shows.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:26
Craig; I totally agree with you. Right now I wouldn’t even use Anderson as a sub because his game has lost direction and there seems to be no more vision or confidence left in the lad. Hargo should be playing every game and if not in midfield, then at RB. Too me he looks like he is no longer bothered by his knee tendinitis. Play him more at RB and I think it will open Fergie’s eyes to the fact that the money that will go to either Lahm or Bosingwa can go to another striker and a backup at RW for Ronaldo.
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:33
(Grognard) Maturity.
Laptop blanked out while i was texting.
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:34
Ronaldo has been a fantastic header of the ball ever since i can remember.
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:52
Ronaldo is a fantastic header of the ball and what makes him great besides the great height he reaches and the contact he makes is the instinct to go to the right space in the box to receive a ball. That is something you cannot teach and only players with a goal poacher’s instinct have. He’s special.
Shannon; Yes he has matured a lot and it shows especially when he doesn’t get his way. In the past he not only would begin to pout but it would affect his game. Now he seems focused and zeroed in on the the primary goal, to use an obvious pun.