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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Boss relieved by Rooney strike
Sir Alex Ferguson was annoyed with himself for not employing Wayne Rooney in a central role earlier against, after the striker scored within moments of switching position.
Rooney spent much of the match in a wide left position as the Italians dominated the early stages of the second half, but moved inside when Owen Hargreaves replaced Anderson.
Sir Alex's switch to 4-4-2 reaped instant dividends, as Rooney pounced on a mistake from Roma goalkeeper Doni to give United a vital second goal.
"I should have put Wayne Rooney through the middle quicker," Sir Alex told ITV after the match. "It (the second goal) was an instant reaction to that.
"We maybe had some lucky breaks in the second half, they could have scored a couple when they went through on the left hand side against us."
Rooney's goal, which followed a superb first-half header from Cristiano Ronaldo, gave United a 2-0 lead to take into next Wednesday's second leg.
With the Reds looking well placed for a semi-final place, Sir Alex was highly satisfied with a job well done in the Stadio Olimpico.
"It was a very good team we were playing against," he said. "I think we had to defend really well at times. It was a good disciplined performance, we had good possession of the ball and that's not easy in that atmosphere.
"And we didn't lose a goal, which is really vital. It's a fantastic scoreline for us, and we're very, very pleased."
The only sour note of the evening came as Nemanja Vidic limped off in the first half with a knee injury. The Serbian is set to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the blow.
"We don't know," said Sir Alex. "We hope it's a nerve. It's a knee injury anyway, we're just praying it's not anything other than a nerve injury."
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Ferguson hails 'marvellous' United performance
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson saluted his side as they took a giant step tonight towards a place in the Champions League semi-finals.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo - his 36th of the season - and Wayne Rooney put United in the driving seat with a 2-0 win over Roma to take into the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Ronaldo made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute, and Rooney added a second in the 67th minute to leave Roma dispirited.
Ronaldo made the breakthrough with a brave header, and Rooney's was a simple tap-in after Ji-Sung Park had headed the ball into the area from the back post.
Ferguson said: 'It was a marvellous result for us. We showed discipline and composure on the ball.
'Ronaldo's goal changed the game for us. It was a fantastic header.
'His spring and courage to go in front of the defender surprised the Roma player.
'It was a centre forward's header - it reminded me of myself.'
On Park's contribution to the second goal, Ferguson said: 'I'm not sure how he managed to get the ball back into the area. It did not seem possible.
'But Wayne appeared to unsettle the goalkeeper and managed to touch it in.'
Roma made a decent fist of it in the second half but found goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar unbeatable.
The Dutch goalkeeper's fitness had been a concern, because he has been troubled with a groin problem.
Ferguson said: 'He's had one or two injuries - which have given us a bit of concern - but he came through the game well tonight.
'Edwin showed why he has 120 caps. His experience is vital.
'He made one incredible save in the second half and is a great goalkeeper.
'We rode our luck in the first 15 minutes of the second half. You get those breaks sometimes - and we did today.'
United's celebrations were tempered as defender Nemanja Vidic was forced to come off with a knee injury in the 33rd minute.
He will have a scan tomorrow, and Ferguson said: 'I pray it is not serious, because he is such an integral part of our team.
'We think it might just be a nerve injury but we can't be sure at this moment.'
There was no repeat of the violent scenes that have marred clashes between the clubs in recent games, and Ferguson said: 'That is a bonus and what we wanted to happen tonight.
'Roma and ourselves have worked hard to make sure there would be no incidents.'
Rooney is hoping United have completed the most difficult part of their mission.
'It was a very good game for us - we played really well,' he said.
'It's a very good result - but in the Champions League you never know. We defended well as a team, and I think if we play like we did tonight in the second leg we will go through.
'It was important that we kept a clean sheet.'
On the second goal, he added: 'I don't remember much about it; I just turned, and the ball was on my foot.'
Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni said: 'Ronaldo's goal was fantastic - there was very little I could do.
As for Rooney's strike, he added: 'It was just a misunderstanding and it's a pity - because it happened when we were playing at our best.
'Manchester United are a great side and they proved it once again - but we have to believe it is still possible.'
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Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo - his 36th of the season - and Wayne Rooney put United in the driving seat with a 2-0 win over Roma to take into the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Ronaldo made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute, and Rooney added a second in the 67th minute to leave Roma dispirited.
Ronaldo made the breakthrough with a brave header, and Rooney's was a simple tap-in after Ji-Sung Park had headed the ball into the area from the back post.
Ferguson said: 'It was a marvellous result for us. We showed discipline and composure on the ball.
'Ronaldo's goal changed the game for us. It was a fantastic header.
'His spring and courage to go in front of the defender surprised the Roma player.
'It was a centre forward's header - it reminded me of myself.'
On Park's contribution to the second goal, Ferguson said: 'I'm not sure how he managed to get the ball back into the area. It did not seem possible.
'But Wayne appeared to unsettle the goalkeeper and managed to touch it in.'
Roma made a decent fist of it in the second half but found goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar unbeatable.
The Dutch goalkeeper's fitness had been a concern, because he has been troubled with a groin problem.
Ferguson said: 'He's had one or two injuries - which have given us a bit of concern - but he came through the game well tonight.
'Edwin showed why he has 120 caps. His experience is vital.
'He made one incredible save in the second half and is a great goalkeeper.
'We rode our luck in the first 15 minutes of the second half. You get those breaks sometimes - and we did today.'
United's celebrations were tempered as defender Nemanja Vidic was forced to come off with a knee injury in the 33rd minute.
He will have a scan tomorrow, and Ferguson said: 'I pray it is not serious, because he is such an integral part of our team.
'We think it might just be a nerve injury but we can't be sure at this moment.'
There was no repeat of the violent scenes that have marred clashes between the clubs in recent games, and Ferguson said: 'That is a bonus and what we wanted to happen tonight.
'Roma and ourselves have worked hard to make sure there would be no incidents.'
Rooney is hoping United have completed the most difficult part of their mission.
'It was a very good game for us - we played really well,' he said.
'It's a very good result - but in the Champions League you never know. We defended well as a team, and I think if we play like we did tonight in the second leg we will go through.
'It was important that we kept a clean sheet.'
On the second goal, he added: 'I don't remember much about it; I just turned, and the ball was on my foot.'
Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni said: 'Ronaldo's goal was fantastic - there was very little I could do.
As for Rooney's strike, he added: 'It was just a misunderstanding and it's a pity - because it happened when we were playing at our best.
'Manchester United are a great side and they proved it once again - but we have to believe it is still possible.'
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Ronaldo eyes Euro glory
Cristiano Ronaldo believes that United have a big chance to win the Champions League this season after an impressive 2-0 win away to AS Roma in the quarter final first leg on Tuesday.
United made a significant stride towards the semi finals, with Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scoring two potentially crucial away goals.
“I think we have a great chance this year,” says Ronaldo. “The team is playing fantastic football and we are more mature than last year.
“We know the Champions League is different to the Premier League. This is a great competition and of course we want to win it this season.”
Ronaldo, who opened the scoring against Roma with a powerful header five minutes before half time, says it was a pleasing performance from defence through to the Reds’ front players.
“It was a very good performance,” he told ITV. “It was a tough game, Roma played very well but I think we deserved to win.
“I feel happy to have scored the goal to help the team. We’ve got the second leg at home in a week and we will play to win for our supporters as we did here.
“The defence was terrific. The shape, the way they squeezed Roma. It was a fantastic performance, they did a really good job.”
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United made a significant stride towards the semi finals, with Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scoring two potentially crucial away goals.
“I think we have a great chance this year,” says Ronaldo. “The team is playing fantastic football and we are more mature than last year.
“We know the Champions League is different to the Premier League. This is a great competition and of course we want to win it this season.”
Ronaldo, who opened the scoring against Roma with a powerful header five minutes before half time, says it was a pleasing performance from defence through to the Reds’ front players.
“It was a very good performance,” he told ITV. “It was a tough game, Roma played very well but I think we deserved to win.
“I feel happy to have scored the goal to help the team. We’ve got the second leg at home in a week and we will play to win for our supporters as we did here.
“The defence was terrific. The shape, the way they squeezed Roma. It was a fantastic performance, they did a really good job.”
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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
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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
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