matchday 6 review: AS ROMA 1 v 1 MANCHESTER UNITED

Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd
Match Review
AS Roma 1 v 1 Manchester United, Stadio Olimpico, Italy, 19.45pm, Wednesday 12th December 2007.
Goals: AS Roma: Mancini (71).     Manchester United: Pique (34).
Attendance: 30,000

An excellent performance by an under strength & youthful United side gained a draw and saw the Reds undefeated after six matches in the 2007/08 UCL campaign.

A 2nd goal in as many games this season saw Spaniard Gerard Pique net for the Reds & Mancini draw level for the Romans.

United started well with plenty of possession in midfield where Michael Carrick walked virtually untouched, the midfielder did minimal damage with his given freedom as the game had a certain drab feel about itself & with little in the way of chances or creativity Pizarro had an effort from distance easily saved by Tomasz Kuszczak.

United responded to the Roma chance themselves as Impeccable Captain Rooney crossed for JOS who headed forcing Doni to react by tipping the danger over.

Mauro Esposito missed a easy header from close range for the home side before United took a deserved lead, Nani whipped in a corner and Gerard Pique thumped a header header past Doni, with the Italian keeper surely not happy with his defenders as Pique rose unchallenged.

Mancini who has been bordering on being stabbed by his loyal "Ultra's" recently due to commitment to the team then struck the post as Roma came into the game.
 
The goal prompted a Roma rally as Mancini raised a shot from close-range on to the bar, Mauro Esposito headed the rebound over and then Mancini saw another effort parried away by Kuszczak.

Chris Eagles almost made it 2-0 after another Nani corner, however Mexes and Roma keeper Doni kept the ball out of the net.

The Reds (or whites) were lucky not to concede after Ahmed Barusso smashed a 25-yard shot narrowly wide of Kuszczak's goal.

Roma upped the tempo as they used two off their big guns as Ludovic Giuly and Vucinic were introduced to the game by Roma manger Luciano Spalletti.

United again continued to be wasteful in front of goal as a Saha chance was denied by Doni.

The Roma changes finally bore fruit for Spalletti as Vucinic found Mancini in the United penalty box, after switching inside the Brazilian shot beating Kuszczak to draw level.

Vucinic again caused United problems when the woodwork was tested again as the Montenegrin saw his shot rebound as Roma upped the pressure, but United held on despite the resurgent Roma and finished the Group Stages top of the League & undefeated after six matches.

The Reds now will face German, Greek, French or Turkish opponents in the 1st round of the KO Stages..

Another 5 fans stabbed, Why aren't Italian Clubs banned from Europe?

Submit Your Comments & Opinions Below.

United's Man of the Match
Gerard Pique was excellent on both sides of the Ball, defending & attacking.

MUFC.COM's Reaction
Well done to the team on the whole, a tricky tricky tie, & some stand out performances from some young players

Was our prediction correct?
No We said 0-2. MUFC INFO 3 v 20 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
SAF's 35th draw of his UCL career.

Wes Brown's 50th competitive UCL appearance of his United career.
Wayne Rooney's 160th competitive appearance of his United career.

Ryan Giggs Countdown = 32 competitive Games left to eclipse the All Time Record Set by Sir Bobby Charlton.

United's Next Match
Sunday 16th December 2007 against Liverpool in the Premiership at Anfield with a 13.30pm K.O.

MUFCINFO.COM Reader Feedback

Name: Tinker
Email: davez22@btinternet.com
Comments: A good performance, just think what we could have done had SAHA been playing.  The guy just did'nt seem interested, not tracking back when he lost the ball, and as for that miss, scandalous, that would have put the game to bed. we need a good show on Sunday if he is selected, or as far as im concerned he can piss off to France, maybe it was too bloody cold for him in Rome.    Anyone agree????

(Editor: I think Saha will be on the bench, id love to think he'd (SAF) go with Rooney & Tevez, but Fergie always goes cagey against the Bin Dippers @ Anfield & plays a defensive game.  I'd say he might even go 4-5-1 with Anderson, Carrick, Hargreaves, Ronaldo, Giggs & The White Pele up front alone!!!!.

Name: Maz
Email:
Comments: Potential opponents mentioned but where's Celtic?

(Editor: Maz, Its sorted now mate, I was thinking selfishly that we wont get Celtic again, I drove last time & would love a nice trip to Greece, Germany or France for a few days break, you can keep your Turkey).

Name: Kramer
Email: 
Comments: I don't know about Saha, when he's fit and on form, he's a definite pick in my starting 11.
But since he cam back from his latest injury, he's not impressed me much. His touch got a little better for the Roma game, but apart from that, he looks like he's lost it. Hopefully, he'll prove me wrong.