UNITED STORM PAST ROMA

 

(Image taken from Manutd.com)

Last year we faced Roma in the Champions League quarter finals, the first time we'd faced them in a competitive setting. We lost the first leg 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico with many United fans lucky to get away with their lives. The second leg at Old Trafford though, will go down in history, United anhiliating the Serie A side 7-1 to win 8-3 on aggregate.

This time out, we were up against Roma again. The first leg was at Stadio Olimpico. United gradually took over during the first half with Ronaldo opening the scoring just before half time. Roma didn't look like making it back from there and Rooney made it two in the second half and the tie looked over already after a brilliant away performance.

The second leg was at Old Trafford. United fielded a weakened XI and Roma certainly looked to take advantage of that and could have made the tie interesting had their not missed an early penalty. United moved through the gears in the second half though, Tevez hit the winner on the night and United cruised through very strongly into the semi finals.

Elsewhere, Chelsea faced Fenerbache. The first leg was at the Sukru Saracoglu and the Turkish side managed to come from behind to win 2-1. The second leg was at Stamford Bridge and it was a more straight forward affair for the Premiership side who won 2-0. That allowed Chelsea to go through 3-2 on aggregate. A messier tie than it should have been but job done anyway.

Arsenal faced Liverpool. The first leg was at the Emirates Stadium. A goal each in quick succsession resulted in a 1-1 draw with the Gunners wasting a lot of chances. The second leg was at Anfield and the tie turned round twice before the Scousers won 4-2. A bit of a shocker given that you'd have thought the Gunners would be the hungrier team in this tie.

So, next up are the semi finals and United find themselves up against Barcelona with a first leg at the Nou Camp. Barca are a team that I was hoping we avoided till the final. What we have instead is a virtual final with both teams oozing with class. United are on better form but only a moron would underestimate Barca. Liverpool face Chelsea in the other semi final(again) with the first leg at Anfield. Chelsea to win only to lose in the final at the Luzhinki Stadium.

Going down a level, Rangers faced Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup quarter finals. The first leg was at Ibrox and resulted in a dissapointing 0-0 for the SPL side. The second leg was at the Estadio Jose Alvalade and the Gers somehow pulled off an amazing 2-0 win. That sets up a historic semi final tie with Fiorentina with the first leg at Ibrox.

Catching up with the domestic scene next.

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