TWO of European football’s biggest names face off at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow night in a Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Here is a look at how the two sides square up.

MANAGERS

Luciano Spalletti has proved a worthy long-term successor to Fabio Capello even though he has been working with a fraction of the budget lavished on the England boss. He proved his worth at Udinese, steering the unfashionable northern club to Champions League qualification with a fourth-place finish in Serie A. Since moving to the capital, he has taken Roma to the last eight of the Champions League, and last season the Giallorossi won the Italian Cup and finished second in the league - the position they currently occupy.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s haul of silverware since arriving at Old Trafford in 1986 stands up to any compiled in the history of English football - nine league titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup. The fact that 1999’s Champions League triumph remains the only occasion his team has ruled Europe is a source of irritation and motivation in equal measure, and he appears to have assembled a squad capable of finally going all the way again.

PAST MEETINGS

Last season’s 7-1 thrashing at Old Trafford - 8-3 on aggregate - at the same stage was a chastening experience for the Italians as they were dismantled by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. In October, Rooney’s smart finish handed United a 1-0 home win in the group stage before the teams drew in a dead rubber at the Stadio Olimpico in the return.

EUROPEAN PEDIGREE

Roma won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup - the forerunner of the UEFA Cup - in 1961 but since then have had to make do with a runners-up finish in the European Cup in 1984 and in the UEFA Cup in 1991. Sir Matt Busby’s great side - with George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton at its heart - first took the European Cup to the north-west in 1968 before United’s late, late show in the Nou Camp 31 years later reclaimed the rebranded Champions League trophy for the Red Devils. The years since have largely been a disappointment - none more so than last year when they self-destructed in Milan in the semi-finals.

FORM

A 1-1 draw at lowly Cagliari on Saturday did little to boost Roma’s Serie A title hopes and they stand four points behind Inter Milan with seven games remaining. They have won, drawn and lost in their last three league games - the defeat coming in their Rome derby with Lazio.

Since losing to Manchester City on February 10, United have won six straight league games - scoring 18 goals in the process to surge five points clear at the top. Despite failing to recreate their Premier League form, they edged to a 2-1 aggregate victory over a dangerous Lyon side in the last 16 of the Champions League.

KEY BATTLES

WAYNE ROONEY v PHILIPPE MEXES

England striker Rooney has been in sensational form as part of United’s attacking ’holy trinity’ alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. His touch and finishing are world class with the whole package wrapped up in a boxer’s physique, and if the Italians place too much emphasis on stopping his Portuguese team-mate, Rooney will surely kill them off.
former Auxerre centre-back Mexes, 26, has long been talked of as a potential star but the Frenchman has only really come to the fore in the last two seasons. Classy and composed when things are going well, the Frenchman’s suspect temperament in adversity may make him a target if United seize control.

ANDERSON v DANIELE DE ROSSI

It is hard to believe that not even manager Sir Alex Ferguson expected 19-year-old Anderson to make such a huge impact in his debut season at Old Trafford. Signed from Porto last summer, after an initial settling-in period the Brazilian’s boundless energy, tackling and efficient use of the ball has marked him out as a star in the making.
If things get nasty on the pitch, De Rossi is sure to be in the thick of things. A talented product of the Roma youth system, the combative midfielder is probably best known for redesigning Brian McBride’s nose with his elbow at the 2006 World Cup. He returned to play a part in Italy’s final win and the 24-year-old will be charged with disrupting United’s slick passing game.

RIO FERDINAND v MIRKO VUCINIC

Ferdinand has been imperious during United’s charge towards the Barclays Premier League title over the second half of the season, forming the division’s most fearsome central-defensive partnership alongside Nemanja Vidic. Pacy, intelligent and with his confidence boosted by a recent promotion to the England captaincy, Ferdinand will give little away to an attack missing Francesco Totti.

With their skipper out with a knee injury, Montenegro striker Vucinic will be asked to lead the Roma line. Brought to Serie A by Lecce as a 17-year-old, his promise was fulfilled with 19 goals in 29 games in 2004-05, although he has largely played second fiddle to Totti since moving to the capital in 2006 - and has not been helped by a string of knee injuries. Fast and a good technician, he could damage United’s hopes if they treat him lightly.

Where do you think the game will be won and lost? Have your say.

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