Manchester United Vs. AS Roma Result Report

Carlos Tevez ensured United’s progression to the Champions League semi-finals and a mouth-watering meeting with Barcelona as the Reds ran out 3-0 aggregate winners over AS Roma at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s already held a 2-0 advantage going into the quarter-final second leg tie and Tevez’s second half goal confirmed their place in the last four where they will face Frank Rijkaard's side.

The pre-match talk had been all about whether or not Rio Ferdinand would be fit to face the Italians. After passing a late fitness test, the defender was given the all-clear to play, but Sir Alex’s team selection was still the main talking point before kick-off with Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes all named on the bench. Owen Hargreaves, Ji-sung Park, Anderson, Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tevez made up United'a attacking quintet, with Michael Carrick sitting just in front of the back four.

With Nemanja Vidic still suffering with a knee injury, Gerard Pique was called in to partner Ferdinand at the heart of the defence. The left-back spot went to Mikael Silvestre, starting his first game for the Reds since injuring knee ligaments in September, and there was also a place on the bench for skipper Gary Neville, over a year after his last first team outing.

The team selection may have seemed rather cautious from Sir Alex, but United did not start in such a manner, forcing a corner after just three minutes thanks to a good run and cross from Owen Hargreaves on the right. Park’s subsequent set-piece came to nothing however.

Buoyed by the luxury of having a 2-0 cushion, the Reds continued to press forward and they very nearly added to their aggregate tally through a host of opportunities in the opening ten minutes.

Six minutes in, the lively Ji-sung Park was put clear by Giggs, but the Korean could only fire across the face of goal from a tight angle.

A minute later Tevez fed Park wide on the right. The Korean sent an early centre back towards the Argentine who should have done better with his header which drifted wide. The same could be said for Wes Brown who headed Giggs’ 9th minute corner over the bar despite being afforded a free header.

Sixty seconds later Hargreaves found himself through on goal thanks to a fine pass from Giggs. But Doni stood up well and parried the midfielder’s effort out for a corner.

Roma seemed more than a little shell-shocked by United’s high tempo opening, but they fashioned a good chance of their own on 14 minutes. Daniele De Rossi slotted a fine ball into Mirko Vucinic, whose effort, from a tight angle, was well saved by Edwin van der Sar low low to his left. Mancini’s follow-up shot from the edge of the box was then taken well by the big Dutchman.

The Reds continued their attacking onslaught and went close again two minutes later. Tevez took Brown’s lofted pass brilliantly on the chest, before turning and feeding Hargreaves, again bombing forward on the right. His cross was met by the onrushing Giggs, but his low drive was beaten away by Doni.

Giggs and Hargreaves combined again on 23 minutes with the Welshman floating a ball over the top to the England man, fast becoming United’s newest attacking sensation, who found himself through on goal. However, a combination of Cassetti and Juan contrived to knock him off balance and clear the danger.

Seconds later Hargreaves, once again marauding down the right, fired over a cross which missed everyone. It did, however, drop to Anderson on the edge of the box who hit it first time. But Doni claimed well just as Tevez and Giggs were about to pounce on any kind of spillage from the keeper.

The main talking point of the opening half arrived on 29 minutes when Roma were awarded a spot-kick. Van der Sar punched Vucinic’s initial effort clear, but the ball dropped to Mancini who burst into the area, only to be tripped by Wes Brown. The referee had no qualms in pointing to the spot and although Brown appeared to get a minor touch on the ball, he also clipped Mancini’s back leg.

As De Rossi stepped up to take the penalty, a chorus of boos reverberated around Old Trafford. That quickly turned to hysterical cheers as the Italian blasted over. De Rossi’s immediate reaction was to pull his jersey over his head as he attempted to hide from 76,000 now raucous United fans who breathed a sigh a relief at seeing the Italians miss their big chance to get themselves back into the tie.

United tightened things up towards the end of the first period, content with maintaining their advantage, whilst ensuring the back four were given ample protection, especially as Rio Ferdinand appeared to be struggling with an injury. Thankfully, the defender reappeared after the break despite having needed three stitches to a foot injury.

With the quarter-final tie entering it’s last quarter, Roma knew they didn’t just have United to contend with, they had the clock to worry about too. They enjoyed the lionshare of the possession for the first 15 minutes of the second period and Mikael Silvestre was forced to make a vital block on 57 minutes when the ball dropped to Taddei in the area. Thankfully, the Frenchman threw himself at the shot and averted the danger. Juan’s strong header from the subsequent corner was well held by van der Sar.

The tie was made all but safe on 70 minutes when United scored the goal they duly deserved. Tevez collected the ball in midfield, before slotting it into Hargreaves’ path on the right wing. The midfielder sent in a peach of a cross which the Argentine dived to meet and send Old Trafford wild.

The Reds played out the remainder of the game with ease and went close to a second two minutes from time when Ji-sung Park saw his effort saved by Doni. Aside from the goal, the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the return of skipper Gary Neville, who was given a 10-minute run-out…in midfield!

In truth, United had done the hard work in Rome, but a professional performance at Old Trafford ensured their place in the last four once again. The Reds may have fallen short last season against AC Milan, but this time they mean business.

Team Line-ups
United: Van der Sar; Brown, Pique,
Ferdinand, Silvestre; Park, Carrick (O'Shea 74), Hargreaves, Anderson (Neville 81), Giggs (Rooney 74); Tevez.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Scholes, Welbeck.

Roma: Doni; Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Cassetti (Tonetto 56); De Rossi, Pizarro (Giuly 69), Taddei (Esposito 81), Perrotta; Mancini, Vucinic.
Subs not used: Curci, Cicinho, Aquilani, Brighi.

Booked: Perrotta.

Attendance: 74,423