AS Roma Vs. Manchester United Result Report

United delivered the model European away performance in Rome on Tuesday– strong in possession, resilient during the inevitable Roma backlash, and ruthlessly scoring two away goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney did the damage, presenting the Reds with a glorious opportunity to make the Champions League semi finals later this month. But, take note, the job is only half done. Roma weren’t without their chances, and they will come to Old Trafford in a week’s time knowing they’re up against it, but not out of it.

This wasn’t the all-out attacking United of Saturday’s 4-0 thumping of Aston Villa, but it was the kind of performance Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have sometimes lacked away from home in Europe in recent years.

The United boss was able to select Michael Carrick despite the midfielder sitting out training in Rome the night before. There was a recall for Ji-sung Park (his first European start this season) in place of Ryan Giggs. Carlos Tevez settled for a place on the bench as Anderson made up a three-man central midfield alongside Carrick and Paul Scholes.

Luciano Spalletti, Roma’s coach, said that his players would not just stand and admire a team he regards as “the best in the world”. Their 7-1 defeat at this stage last year is clearly a wound that has not yet healed. So much so that Spalletti threatened not to present Sir Alex with a bottle of his favourite wine after the game – “no more gifts, on or off the pitch,” he said, half jokingly.

Roma, without the suspended Simone Perrotta and the injured Francesco Totti, would be up against it with United being in fine form that culminated in Saturday’s imperious win over Aston Villa.

United had hoped to avoid an English opponent at this stage, but nevertheless drew a familiar foe – this being the fifth time in 12 months that the Reds have come up against Rome’s Giallorossi.

The Reds started with Rooney on the left, Park on the right and Cristiano Ronaldo up front. United took immediate control in the early stages, pressing Roma back and keeping possession with great assurance, albeit without really breaking beyond the opposition back line.

But it was Roma who registered the first effort on goal, defender Christian Panucci heading over from a corner. The chance signalled their entrance into this tie. The bad news for United was that Nemanja Vidic was forced off just after half an hour after falling awkwardly. The influential Serbian defender was replaced by John O’Shea in the centre of United’s defence.

The enforced change momentarily flustered the Reds, but not for long. With little more than five minutes of the first half remaining, an intricate move across the edge of Roma’s penalty area found Scholes on the far right side. The midfielder, in outstanding form, served up a cross and Ronaldo bravely ran and leapt at it, powering the ball into the back of the net.

In the second half, Roma realised they had to drive forward and, as in the first half, had the first opportunity. De Rossi’s surging run forward created space in the box and his pass to Tonetto allowed the full-back to shoot, but his effort from 12 yards went narrowly wide. Moments later, with the home crowd stirred at their team’s positive approach, Panucci fired over at the back post. United head to weather the storm.

Roma were far more ambitious in the second half – they had to be. And from a series of corners the Giallorossi threatened United’s goal. On 62 minutes Edwin van der Sar was called upon to make a world-class, one-handed save from Vucinic’s glanced header.

Sir Alex responded immediately, calling for the combative Owen Hargreaves to replace the more forward-thinking Anderson. Spalletti, sensing the need to capitalise on the groundswell of pressure, brought on speedy winger Ludovic Giuly. But it was the Reds manager’s tactical tinkering that had the bigger impact.

Spalletti had warned United that there would be no gifts, but his players must not have been paying attention. On 66 minutes Park did brilliantly to head Brown’s deep cross back across the face of goal. Either Panucci or Doni should have cleared the danger, instead both tried. And when the ball landed at Rooney’s feet he gladly took the opportunity.

The goal completely changed United’s outlook, and with Rooney taking up more central role, Roma looked threatened. Seconds later Ronaldo was on the run and forced Doni to tip his 20-yard shot onto the post. Then Carrick hit struck from a similar distance, but saw his effort curl away from goal.

Sir Alex was able to take off Rooney with six minutes remaining, once again showing the strength of his squad in bringing Tevez on. The Argentine nearly set up a third, crossing for Ronaldo who sent a rasping volley narrowly over the bar. Nevertheless, United gladly take a two-goal advantage into the second leg, 90 minutes from a place in the last four.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (O'Shea 31), Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson (Hargreaves 55), Park; Rooney (Tevez 84).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Giggs, Pique, Silvestre.
Booked: Anderson

AS Roma: Doni; Cassetti, Mexes, Panucci, Tonetto (Cicinho 69); Taddei (Giuly 59), De Rossi, Pizarro, Aquilani (Esposito 77), Mancini; Vucinic.
Subs not used: Curci, Antunes, Ferrari, Brighi.
Booked: Pizarro, Mexes