Roma still no match--even for a 'subprime' United.
To prepare for the coming match with Arsenal, Fergie rested five playes featured in the first leg while Roma welcomed its centre-back Juan. But a second-tier United is more than enough to take United through to the semi-finals.
After the 2-0 loss at home, Roma has every reason to come out and fully attack so as to keep alive the dim hope of pulling off a victory and even going to the next stage. Surpriselingly, unlike some of the pre-match predictions, it is Roma who were on the defensive, as if guarding the fruit of the first leg. In fact, United could well bury the match in the first 25 minutes but for the splendid saves from Doni, arguably the best player in a less-than-impressive Roma team. As people began to ponder how many goals United might score--how many chances they might miss--a twist made United fans standing on their feet: Mancini, the Brazilian winger, won Roma a penalty, though out of outrageous dive! After De Rossi thundered the ball over the ball, I knew the match was over for Roma. When Teves finally got the opening, the rest is to focus on Barca.
To Roma's credit, they put up a spirited fight throughout the match. However, a Roma without Totti is a team without soul. Indeed, most of Roma's chances came from set-pieces and the opponent's defensive lapses. After being eliminated in the quarter-finals for the second year running, Spaletti will have to ponder on strengthening his team. The exit of Roma also means a semifinal without a top Italian club and three semi spots occupied by English clubs yet again.
For United, the change of half a squad has little effect on their consistency. Young Pique and the long-term absentee Silvestre paired reasonably well with Ferdinand and Brown in the back, although Roma did come up with several decent chances on its right flank. And interesting to note, Fergie has put three of United's most tireless and tenacious players in the front, with Hargreaves doing exceptionally well. When the team was in defence, he played his familiar role as a defensive midfield; and when in attacking, he almost became a winger: indeed, the goal was created by his beautiful cross from the right. But the problem of wasting chances is still haunting United, with Teves and Parker especially profligate in this match. I can't help but compare this match with the one against Lyon: tons of chances and good control of the match with somewhat nervous fans and even the players themselves. If this cannot properly be solved, with Vidic injured, Pique not fully tested an d Silvestre still a little rusty, prospects about winning the match against the Gunners aren't so bright. The good news is that United at least did not have to depend on Ronald's another personal brilliance; and the skipper Gary Neville's return may well boost morale on and off the pitch.
Anyway, United procceded to the semi-finals of the Championship League again. Now, their major task is this Sunday's clash with Arsenal, which could be a possible Premier League Champion decider.
To prepare for the coming match with Arsenal, Fergie rested five playes featured in the first leg while Roma welcomed its centre-back Juan. But a second-tier United is more than enough to take United through to the semi-finals.
After the 2-0 loss at home, Roma has every reason to come out and fully attack so as to keep alive the dim hope of pulling off a victory and even going to the next stage. Surpriselingly, unlike some of the pre-match predictions, it is Roma who were on the defensive, as if guarding the fruit of the first leg. In fact, United could well bury the match in the first 25 minutes but for the splendid saves from Doni, arguably the best player in a less-than-impressive Roma team. As people began to ponder how many goals United might score--how many chances they might miss--a twist made United fans standing on their feet: Mancini, the Brazilian winger, won Roma a penalty, though out of outrageous dive! After De Rossi thundered the ball over the ball, I knew the match was over for Roma. When Teves finally got the opening, the rest is to focus on Barca.
To Roma's credit, they put up a spirited fight throughout the match. However, a Roma without Totti is a team without soul. Indeed, most of Roma's chances came from set-pieces and the opponent's defensive lapses. After being eliminated in the quarter-finals for the second year running, Spaletti will have to ponder on strengthening his team. The exit of Roma also means a semifinal without a top Italian club and three semi spots occupied by English clubs yet again.
For United, the change of half a squad has little effect on their consistency. Young Pique and the long-term absentee Silvestre paired reasonably well with Ferdinand and Brown in the back, although Roma did come up with several decent chances on its right flank. And interesting to note, Fergie has put three of United's most tireless and tenacious players in the front, with Hargreaves doing exceptionally well. When the team was in defence, he played his familiar role as a defensive midfield; and when in attacking, he almost became a winger: indeed, the goal was created by his beautiful cross from the right. But the problem of wasting chances is still haunting United, with Teves and Parker especially profligate in this match. I can't help but compare this match with the one against Lyon: tons of chances and good control of the match with somewhat nervous fans and even the players themselves. If this cannot properly be solved, with Vidic injured, Pique not fully tested an d Silvestre still a little rusty, prospects about winning the match against the Gunners aren't so bright. The good news is that United at least did not have to depend on Ronald's another personal brilliance; and the skipper Gary Neville's return may well boost morale on and off the pitch.
No comments:
Post a Comment