A week ago, Roma showed how to play against Manchester United. Especially if the British have serious problems with the composition. In Rome, the Italians achieved a modest, but still victory. Manchester returned home in a nasty mood and immediately ran into a meeting with Portsmouth in the Premier League. After this defeat, their lead over Chelsea was reduced to just three points. And before re-playing with the Romans - three days. Longing and anxiety. Moreover, the guests brought their leaders to England rested. Luciano Spalletti can already allow a mini-vacation half of the basics.
And then the pretty “Roma”, who played solidly and cheerfully throughout the season, went out onto the Old Trafford lawn and was cruelly trampled into it. Destroyed. The English press defines such matches with the word “demolition” (literally - dismantling into parts, demolition). The Romans were dismantled and demolished quickly and ruthlessly, erasing all the memories of the first match. 1: 7 in the quarterfinals of the Champions League - this is an unforgettable lot.
If you really want to, you can try "Roma" a little justify. For example, the fact that the slow Pizarro was never able to replace the impetuous Perrotta. Taddei had to be excluded from the squad before the starting whistle - the Brazilian, who scored in the first quarterfinal match, was injured at the warm-up. Of course, “Manchester” was sometimes lucky - the balls rarely lie in the corners with such amazing accuracy. And it was.
But the reason for the defeat of “Roma” is not at all that. Teams have different levels. When Italians play their best football, and the British creak, it turns out 2: 1 in Rome with an equal fight. But if the “Manchester” turned around, and the “Roma” was blown away very slightly - then 7: 1. The hosts go through the whole field with five passes in touch, and the opponent is doomed to watch this. The second team in Italy lags behind the first English as much as the very good coach Spalletti - from the well-known sir. Ferguson was left without Vidic, Scholes, Neville and Saha. Found a replacement. In the game "United" - solid pluses.
1. If Fletcher and Carrick continue to develop the center of the field in the same vein, you can not be afraid of Scholes leaving soon and save 30 million set aside for the purchase of Hargreaves.
2. Giggs' pensions should be feared like fire. His greatness is only growing over the years.
3. Smith is good at attacking and useful in midfield. Through the efforts of Ferguson, Alan after an injury learned a new specialty and did not forget his previous striker skills. Who else in Europe has such a player?
4. Cristiano Ronaldo can go to “Real” or “Barca” just for the money. The Portuguese will receive all other football bonuses here at Manchester.
5. Defense may make a mistake. But if you try, you can do without it and restrain anyone. True, Totti was not handled every time. Excusable.
And so on. Detail to Detail - Get the Complete Demo. Everything seems to be clear. “Manchester United” with the sky-high level of the game explained to the opponent that the victory in one match does not mean anything at all. Roma agreed. But why did Spalletti avoid substitutions until the very end of the match?
Vladimir STOGNIENKO
MANCHESTER UNITED England - ROMA Italy - 7: 1 (4: 0)
Goals: 1: 0 - Carrick (11), 2: 0 - Smith (17), 3: 0 - Rooney (19), 4: 0 - Cristiano Ronaldo (44), 5: 0 - Cristiano Ronaldo (49), 6 : 0 - Carrick (60), 6: 1 - De Rossi (69), 7: 1 - Evra (81).
MANCHESTER UNITED: van der Sar, Heinze, O'Shea (Evra, 52), Ferdinand, Brown, Cristiano Ronaldo, Giggs (Sulscher, 61), Smith, Fletcher, Carrick (Richardson, 73), Rooney.
ROMA: Doni, Panucci, Wilhelmsson (Rosie, 88), Mexes, Pizarro, Totti, Vucinic, Kivu, De Rossi (Faty, 86), Mansini (Okaka, 90), Cassetti.
Warnings: Smith (41), Ferdinand (42), Cassetti (76), Mexès (82).
Manchester. Old Trafford.
Judge: L. Michel (Slovakia).
First match: 1: 2.