TEN-MAN Manchester United suffered defeat against Roma but Wayne Rooney struck an invaluable away goal at the Stadio Olimpico.
Paul Scholes was sent off after just 33 minutes for two bookable offences and the Giallorossi were quick to take advantage through Rodrigo Taddei.
United hit back after the break with a classic counter-attack strike when, after great work from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rooney lashed home.
Mirko Vucinic restored Roma's lead, but the Reds will be hopeful of overhauling the Serie A side at Old Trafford next Tuesay.
Ferguson had promised every tactical angle would be covered as United attempted to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2002.
In terms of shackling dangermen Francesco Totti and Mancini, the visitors largely got it right.
Unfortunately, they failed to heed early warnings about Roma’s liking for quickly-taken corners and eventually paid the price.
Edwin van der Sar might have fancied his chances of keeping out Taddei’s effort. But once it flicked off Wes Brown and Gabriel Heinze, the giant Dutchman had no chance.
Ugly scenes
It was a goal Roma definitely deserved but unfortunately, it sparked ugly scenes in the stands where, for the second United European away-day running, riot police were called in to quell disturbances.
The confrontations lasted well into the interval and did not bode well for the remainder of the evening.
Apart from their team going behind, United’s 4,000-strong travelling support were also taking in the fact their team had been totally outplayed and were down to 10 men following Scholes’ dismissal.
Never the best tackler, the former England star had already ruled himself out of the Old Trafford return by flying into Christian Wilhelmsson on the halfway line.
When he then stuck out a leg to halt Totti’s advance, German referee Herbert Fandel had little alternative other than to brandish a second yellow card.
The dismissal just gave Roma even more licence to attack. Francesco Totti brought a couple of good saves out of Van der Sar, then Taddei did the same to earn the corner that eventually led to his goal.
In fact, with Ronaldo and Rooney completely snuffed out and Solskjaer making little impact either after being handed the central striker’s berth, about the only thing that went right for United in the opening period was the booking Simone Perrotta picked up for diving under Heinze’s challenge when the tie was still level.
It must have been particularly disappointing for Perrotta, one of three World Cup winners in the hosts line-up, as it ended his hopes of an emotional return to the city of his birth, having been raised in Ashton-under-Lyme before his parents returned to Italy when he was a child.
The Roma onslaught continued once the game re-started but, with Perrotta twice failing to add to the home side’s tally, there must have been some lingering suspicion within the Roma camp that a nasty shock was awaiting them.
Shackles
And so it proved too as Ronaldo finally escaped the shackles of Roma’s rigid defence and found Solskjaer with a superb pass.
The Norwegian instantly lifted a far-post cross to Rooney, who gleefully slammed home his first Champions League goal since his debut-day hat-trick against Fenerbahce in September 2004.
For a few short minutes, an unlikely victory appeared on the cards, with Solskjaer bringing a good save out of Doni as United pressed.
But it proved to be a brief renaissance as Roma quickly regained the initiative after Van der Sar could only beat away Mancini’s powerful drive, allowing substitute Vucinic to force home the rebound.
It was all defensive hands to the pump for the visitors after that.
Perrotta’s shot deflected wide off Wes Brown, then the midfielder rasped another just over before Totti flashed a long-range effort just wide when Van der Sar appeared to be beaten.
Gabriel Heinze was needlessly booked for too much backchat, although at least the visitors were able to run the clock down and escape with a single-goal defeat when it could - and should - have been worse.
What is your verdict on the game? Have your say.
Roma 2 United 1
April 04, 2007
Comments
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1-0 at OT and we are through. I assume that's Scholes for three games but as I said earlier, they have all the tricks so all you have to do now is target him especialy once he gets the first card. What about their manager jumping up and down yelling at the ref for the card. No class but we will rip them at OT. A
Thank heavens we are still in it,Scholes is a liabilty,(tackle wise)we badly missed Vidic and we played the whole game in neutral.The keeper does not look confident.Ronaldo defo is a class act.
Time to think about Saturday.
The 10 men were terrific and this is a good result in the circumstances. SO angry with Scholesy - WHY Paul??? Disappointing from a player of his experience. We should have enough for Roma in the second leg even without him but the first goal will be crucial.
TO ALL THE BITTERS,GO AND COMMENT ON YOUR OWN CRAP TEAMS.THIS PAGE IS FOR THE GREATEST RED TEAM FANS ONLY.SO CLIMB BACK INTO THAT HOLE YOU ALL CAME OUT OFF.WASTELAND WALLY`S,
Fletcher,O'shea and Richardson= rubbish players
we are good enough to win the EPL but not UEFA Champions league unless we start buying quality players.WE were far too exposed in the middle of the park.I dont know what is the sloution, i guess fergie shouid know.Scholes it not nothing new you always get a red card in big matches.
Until we get some self belief, that we can actually win games in europe away from home, we won't win the champions league. How many times do we have to say this?
The referee was awful from an English point of view, to me it appeared as if you went near a Roma player they got a free kick. Scholes was sent off, but in the premiership it wouldn't have happened. Other than that I feel it was fairly even affair. We have our away goal so 1-0 will do nicely at OT
Positives-Away goal will be vital. We need to score and when we do, Roma will have to come at us leaving us to break on the counter. Massive massive confidence booster for Rooney. What a goal and once again great play by Ronaldo. After that Rooney was superb. We can go through with 1-0, I think we should be looking at scoring 3 rather then scoring 1 as thats always dodgy. Paul Scholes? Inexcusable. Its always nervy watching Scholesy on a yellow card, but that was pure recklossness. Time and time again he doesn't learn! Fletcher will have to play now and that is what a lot of people have been fearing. Lets hope he can keep up to what has happened this season so far with our squad players slotting in nicely. 2-1 is definetly better then 1-0 so its half time lads, make sure you come back with the goods come full time. The crowd will tremendous I feel. On a bad note to sign off, it was awful to see what the Italian police were doing. I don't no what happened but violence like that from the police does nothing but incite violence.
Under the circumstances we did ok. Ferguson needs to fine scholes the maximum amount he can as he cost united the game. then he must fine himself for leaving us so bereft of options in central midfield.
On the positive side we can win this tie as we played most of this tie with 8 men. scholes was deservedley sent off giggs went awol for long periods and olly's sole contribution was the cross from the right. The display from our 3 most experienced campaigners was abysmal to say the least and none of them deserve more than 3 in the point column and one further point did we have a left back at all for the whole of the second half ? because he was always out of position.
The lads did us proud tonight. Ten men against a Roma side which was far better than we all expected. But the Italians won't play the same way at OT - they will sit back and rely on the counter. So I'm happy with the away goal. And wasn't it a typical Utd goal? Wes and O'Shea were up to the challenge tonight. Well done lads, roll on Portsmouth and another 3 points.
Very disappointing game despite the goal from Rooney. Where do I begin Scholes poor poor poor game. Bad decisions all around. Heinz was poor and Giggs was awful just awful. Mind you I never criticize the play of the team. But Giggs was just a spectator the whole game. Carrick very very average at best. What a bad time to play with a make shift defense and it showed. I am surprise the coaching staff did not make changes sooner. Now something positive, I still fancy us to go through at Old Trafford. Good to see Rooney get a goal and Ronaldo was equally good looking at the game situation. I expect the defense to be better next game although for me the Champions League is not a priority; the league is and having said that I expect Ferggie to concentrate on Portmouths and worry about Roma later.
Way to go United for pulling a VITAL away goal.
But I can't keep quiet about some poor performance by some players.
Sorry Giggs & Scholes. The two of you are the most senior and should have shown some fire and leadership. You let the team down. Our defence was under so much pressure, so to come away with 2 goals condeded is okay. JOS is not a natural defender, but he did ok. I'd like to see Rooney, Ronaldo, Saha hustle more for the ball when Roma is bringing it forward. Lets do it in the second rounds. Lets go Man Utd!!!!!!
We were a little unlucky.
In both goals were a element of good fortune. I mean a twice deflected half-shot for heir 1st and the 2nd Vusinic was lucky that the shot landed in the net and not anywhere esle!.
I am maybe painting a rosy picture, still Roma were sharp and of course they were going to be, playing at home!
I think the ref was biased and could have not given Scholes a 2nd yellow, Gaby shouldn't have been booked and they should have had man booked late on!
If I am honest we were outplayed for a great proportion if the 1st and Scholes CANNOT tackle!
We could have scored 2 or 3 more goals, but this is europe and that rarely happens.
We couldn't keep the ball and pass it enough to bring Ole, Roo & CR into play enough. When they did combine like they did for our 1-1 then it can go well!
CR thretening gave us a big game tonight and thought Carrick and Wes played well also.
We'll take them next week, canot wait to shut up Totti (but what a player!).
Portsmouth is the next important game, and then we can look forward to next tuesday!
Credit to SAF& Carlos for getting the tactics almost right and for not being negative and trying to hut up shop after Scholes dismissal!
Come On You Reds
Terrible first half display, even up to Scholes going off.(Poor play by Scholes and puts us under a lot of pressure for the next game as well).Fergie got it wrong again, will he never learn that this team just doesn't respond to 4-5-1, we play our best in a full out 4-4-2. Better in the second half and the away goal could prove to be vital.Full out attack on Tuesday and we'll stuff 'em.
Looks like liverpool will have to fly the flag for england in europe yet again.
I thought we showed a lot of character in the 2nd half after Scholes' lunacy. In a hostile atmosphere, conceding just before the break with 10-men we could have capitulated but didn't. In fact I would go as far as to say the 2nd half was our best showing away in the CL for quite some time. Not in terms of unbelievable play - the sublime goal aside - but sheer character to hang on. We were unfortunate to concede the second but apart from a couple of dangerous crosses they did not exactly scare us too much. At 2-1 the mission was clear - do not concede another goal as we got the away one we need. At OT we should have Evra and maybe even Neville back plus Saha and Fletcher will hopefully be more match fit. If only Scholes had not been so idiotic and be available at OT I would be very comfortable with the result. Had it been 3-1 it would be very hard as the Italians would just go to OT and shut up shop as italians always tend to do. The ref was poor though - he gave too much too cheaply to Roma throughout. For experienced CL teams to get an away goal and a draw or narrow loss is deemed a good day at the office. One goal at OT is all required. Get that and they and we may hit them on the counter again as they are forced to attack. Even Italians do not like to go away holding on to a 1 goal lead.
I'd like some feedback on this topic as Park for me is so important to us. He works like a demon and is now scoring goals. Great engine and always in the game. Fletcher also has a great engine so if Park is ok for Saturday we should get past Pompey and Roma.Louis is back so he and Roo will create havoc up front with their pace and ability. We also need Evra as Gabby for me is not the player he was. His yellow was stupid but why was the Roma Player not booked for throwing the ball away. Perhaps he should have been booked for stupidity.
I was sorry there was crowd trouble hopefully it was'nt to serious.As far as the game Utd were atrocious.Giggs,Scholes,Carrick,Evds,O'shea were especially bad only Rooney and Ronaldo could hold their heads up high.Better be a very big improvement next week or were gone if we play this bad against Watford we'll be out of the FA cup too.
Good goal in a game in which we were schooled by a team that is playing some nice football...2-1 could have been 4-1...but the boys hung tough and we are left with one and off. Carrick played fairly well on the big stage....needs more but he did show some grit. Giggs, Scholes were subpar and Ole should not be starting games like this....either Saha or Smith. Next game will be difficult and I'm afraid hopeless if DF starts in midfield... we perform like a team without leadership and is fearful in europe...the teams in euro are tough and our fans on this site tend to underestimate them...they are strong, disciplined and technically very good....our only hope is to play attacking football and that means aggressive, decisive, uptempo....we need to score at home to Fergie and give away less chances. Fergie needs to work this summer!!!
Considering playing with 10 men for an hour, a very commendable result. Given 90 minutes in the next match, MU is more than capable of breaking down any defense for the 1 goal needed in the home leg. However, having said that, don't repeat the same mistake against Porto.
The players who didn't play well know themselves who they are, SAF and the coaching staff know who they are. Step up to the plate at Old Trafford or we pack our bags and we say goodbye to CL this season. A very scary thought.
I dislike referees who play the home side, especially this German you know what. Scholes, you're a brilliant player, but, please, don't tackle anyone from now on. Considering, United did well. United's goal was a gem. Good luck United next Tuesday. As for the Mayor of Rome, take a look at your cops beating United supporters on the head. Shame on you.
Yet another disjointed away performance! Yes, the 10 men did us proud but what can you say about Paul Scholes? Sent off twice in his last 4 games, what an absolute plank. He let the team and the boss down and ultimately cost us the game. Now he's out of the return as well, and at a time when we are struggling with injuries and every game is like a cup final.
I wasn't over impressed with Roma but when I look at our bench on the night it scares me to death. Dong, Richardson & Eagles for a Quarter Final tie in the CL?
The return leg is going to be very tricky though I couldn't have seen Roma beating us had we stayed with eleven on the park. We are now stretched to the limit for the return.
Scholes owes us big time against Portsmouth.
Scholes had a shocker. It was not a great performance, but we started to play better when down to 10 men. The team gave a gutsy performance and did well to come away losing just 2-1.
One plus to come out of the game, at least Scholes will be fresh for Saturday !!!!!
I cant see Roma not scoring next week - but we need to come out of the blocks fast. I can only hope Park is fit (but I suspect Fletcher or Richardson will play urrghhhh). At least Saha might be fit unless of course we lose more players at Pompey ...and at this rate that is a possiblity. All that said - a very hard fought and reasonable scoreline given the loss of 'Chopper' (what are you on Paul ??). We'll need to play out of our skins next week thats for sure.
Ok The game itself turned into a bit of a struggle but considering we had 10 men for 60 minutes I'll take that result. Thought the ref was poor as for the first 20 minutes or so he was giving freekicks for nothing it seemed that if a white shirt was anywhere near a red shirt (they are very clever with making out they are pushed) he gave them a foul, the sending off what can you say scholes as good as he is is a clumsy tackler but the 2nd yellow was as much to do with totti as scholes...the problem is the ref only sees it once and totti if nothing else is a very clever footballer. Now that taken can someone tell me why when ronaldo was cynically tripped in the 1st half why wasn't the offender given a yellow card....not even a warning and this happened a couple of times, for me poor ref. Also disappointed in some of the effort put in ...down to 10 men we needed to work harder we (giggs/oshea/saha) seemed slow and lethargic and when we finally introduced saha with 10 -15 mins to go I was continually shouting for him to move put himself about shut down the defenders for me a better option would have been smudger at least for those 10 minutes he would have put some pressure on them. Good goal from rooney and CR did well now we know what to expect I would like to see wes moved to right back at least he has the pace for mancini...heinze into CB with Rio and hopefully if fit evra back at leftback to solve the MF Saha has to play up front with rooney laying deep coming from MF...not exactly a total disaster but we can go through OT has become a very hostile atmosphere (nothing crazy mind you) vocally, just hpe we don't have the same ref!