AS Roma 0-2 MU Champions League 01.04.08 | Match Report
April 2, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo’s purple patch continued as he scored in Manchester United’s comfortable win in Rome.
Roma dominated the opening exchanges, but were stunned when the Portuguse winger opened the scoring with his 36th goal of the season.
Then to heap more misery on the Italian title-chasers Wayne Rooney extended United’s lead in the second half after a defensive mix-up in the six-yard box.
It was a marvellous show of composure from the English champions, who went into the match on the back of six straight Premier League wins.
Given they had taken four points off the Serie A club in the group stages this season, it was little surprise they approached this match with confidence.
And although the Italians had the bulk of possession in the first half they found their opponents hard to break down.
Park Ji-Sung’s inclusion in the United side was a surprise and he got into a good position after 12 minutes only for Christian Panucci to take the ball off his toes as he shaped to shoot.
The hosts hit back and Mirko Vucinic should have tried his luck on goal but opted instead to pass to Alberto Aquilani and the move broke down.
This was a good spell for the home side and Mancini saw his effort deflected to safety by Nemanja Vidic. Then Panucci headed over the top from Rodrigo Taddei’s corner.
Vidic then needed treatment after landing badly following an aerial challenge with Vucinic.
The Serbian seemed to have twisted his knee and was forced to come off.
He was replaced by John O’Shea, who partnered Rio Ferdinand at the back.
Ronaldo was anxious to improve on his 35-goal tally but not surprisingly was finding himself closely marked.
However, he broke free of his shackles in the 39th minute to make the breakthrough.
Rooney released Scholes on the right and he delivered a delicate chip into the area.
Ronaldo ran from deep and headed the ball beyond Brazilian goalkeeper Doni for a brilliant solo effort.
The 23-year-old was left dazed in the incident but recovered quickly to United’s relief.
However, the Giallorossi could have equalised in the three minutes later but Vucinic dragged his shot wide of the post.
Roma started the second half brightly and Vucinic released Max Tonetto but he sent his effort over the bar.
Substitute Ludovic Giuly then got clear down the right only to send a poor cross into the grateful arms of Van der Sar.
However Van der Sar needed to look alert to make a fine one-handed save from Vucinic’s header.
This was a difficult time for United and Vucinic was proving to be a bit of a handful in the absence of Francesco Totti.
United, however, made it 2-0 in the 67th minute when Park headed the ball into the area at the back post.
It resulted in a mix-up between Doni and Panucci with Rooney on hand to knock the ball home.
Then Ronaldo skipped away from his marker only to see his effort come back off the post.
With a two-goal cushion, United were knocking the ball around well and Michael Carrick came close in the 71st minute, his effort going narrowly wide.
Rooney had put in a hard shift and was replaced by Carlos Tevez with six minutes remaining as Roma looked dispirited.
Tevez saw his effort go wide then Ronaldo rattled a superb volley narrowly over the bar as United finished the match in style.
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