Why? Because I didn't manage to watch the game because it was in the undead hours of the morning. I caught the highlights and replay later.
It was a well played match. The boys did their jobs, defended well and scored the goals.
And how about that thundering header from Ronaldo. I didn't even see him in the screen when the Ginger Genius floated the ball into the middle of the 18 yard area. And then Bang! Out of nowhere, in comes Ronaldo soaring and scoring with a thumping downwards header. That was great instincts, determination and bravery to get there and put his head in where it hurts. Something you'd think only someone like Vidic would do, but then Ronaldo keeps on topping himself game after game and keeps on surprising us all with what he can do. He got pummeled by a Roma defender as well and later said that he couldn't remember much about the goal. Not surprising because he was left flattened and stunned on the ground and probably nearly gave Sir Alex a heart attack.
It was an important goal as well, the timing of it calmed nerves and gave us confidence. I've always felt that the reason United often under perform away in Europe is because we are a little bit unsure of ourselves. And this is partly filtered down from Fergie, who is a bit too cautious when it comes to European away fixtures. That I think, kind of explain our less than stellar results away from home in Europe. We are nervy and edgy and thus cannot express ourselves freely. So that goal was important that way, I feel. Because it lifted us at the right moment and United steadily grew in confidence, bit by bit.
The defending, especially after Vidic departed, was admirable. Rio and van der Sar especially, stood up to be counted. O'Shea did a good job stepping in for Vida as well. In the early parts of the second half the had to weather a period of Roma offence, that put them under the kosh and very nearly forced the equaliser if not for some great defending, luck and bad finishing from Roma.
And yes Fergie, you should have reacted a little bit earlier in adjusting our tactics to counter Roma's momentum. Rooney started playing more centrally and got the decisive second goal, a gift from Roma's goalkeeper and defender. Again, the timing was excellent, because Roma were deflated after that. And it was all one way traffic from then onwards. United even got their swagger back and should have got a couple more goals too.
But, not too much to complain about a result that means we've got 2 massive away goals advantage to take back to Old Trafford. The only thing that worries me from this result is complacency in the 2nd leg, which I think Fergie and the players themselves realise is vital, not to let creep into our game.
Now United must turn their attentions back to the league and up next is a tricky encounter at Riverside against Middlesborough, a team that often cause problems for United. So, they'll need to forget the results midweek in Roma and concentrate fully on overcoming Boro. Again, no complacency. Every game is a final.
Highlights
And as a reminder of what happened last season, when Roma visited Old Trafford. Relive a quite simply magical, majestic performance from United that night.
2 comments:
i think you r right
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i think u r right
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