The two goal lead...

After the passed week of Champions League clashes, the Roma v. Manchester United match was heartbreaking to watch as an AS Roma supporter. Roma were at home at the Olimpico where they had beaten Manchester United 2-1 the previous year. Francesco Totti was the most notable absentee, alongside Simone Perrota for the Roman side, while Manchester United fielded the usual suspects. The most notable absentee for United, was Ryan Giggs who had his spot replaced by Park Ji-Sung. Not exactly a damaging change to a side that is the most in-form team in Europe at the moment. Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney led the attack while Mirko Vucinic was charged with the same duties on the other end.

While I do not what to analyze the strength of the two teams by going through player by player; it was evident that neither side were prepared to lose. However, Manchester United did win by 2 two goals to nil. Most pro-English soccer supporters will say it could have been 3 or even possibly 4 nothing for United. But those same people usually turn a blind eye to Christiano Pannucci's open net sinner when the score was one nothing. Again, I don't want to complain and by labeled a sore loser, so the only chances that count are the ones that have to be picked out from the back of the net.

So it was 2-0. It was entertaining. The stronger team walked away up 2 away goals and having conceeded none going into the second leg. It doesn't look good for Roma to say the least. Considering the goals against between the two clubs over the past three years, most people would say it is over. Which brings me to my point; the second Manchester United goal. It was a sloppy and careless goal conceeded by Roma. One that you cannot concede when in the Champions League against a team like Manchester United. That goal gave full control to Manchester United who were under pressure from wave after wave of slick passing by Roma. But of course, slick passes are only the first phase of scoring. Max Tonetto came close and Mancini forced a terrffic save from Edwin Van der sar. The offence had recovered from the early Ronaldo header and looked at the cusp of scoring the equalizer, or being caught on the counter attack. The latter happened. And the second goal completely deflated Roma and the game was no longer worth watching. It was evident that Roma would not score. You could see it in their faces. You could even see it in Luciano Spalletti's eyes (Roma's coach); even though he is a statue.


The difference in quality between United and Roma was in the chances. You cannot beat a top-side like United when you miss open nets. And you definitely won't go anywhere if your defenders and goalkeeper are making a meal out of simple crossed ball. I was more convinced by this 2-0 win by United than I was by the 7-1 win that took place almost a year ago.