Looking at the facts of what has gone on this season; no Italian side has managed to score away from home against any of their English counterparts with AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Fiorentina failing to score at Arsenal, Liverpool, United and Everton respectfully this season.
Those particular facts may not be relevant in this case but a more relevant observation is that Roma seem to have an inferiority complex in general and to United to be specific.
In the league match this season in Rome, United put out a virtual 2nd side as they had qualified with so many players that we had not previously heard of whilst Roma had most of their big guns out and they still could only draw 1-1 with United taking the lead.
Roma also are here without Francesco Totti and that suggests that they do not truly believe they have any chance of going through as they might have risked him if they thought there was a chance.
Putting all that aside, the main reason I do not give them and chance is that they are not just not good enough to go to Old Trafford and bettering United’s 2-0 win in Rome.
First of all they do not have Gigi Buffon or Petr Cech in goal that would give you confidence in not conceding, they have Alex Doni and he is not just good enough. They do not have strikers that take their chances went presented like David Trezeguet, Didier Drogba, Ruud Van Nistlerooy etc and the midfield is not steely enough to stop United if they feel the need to attack and score.
Like Arsenal, Roma are a joy to watch but also like Arsenal they concede too many avoidable goals and do not always make the most of the chances they create. I would dearly like for them to prove me wrong but unfortunately I do not think so as it would be a Manchester United vs Barcelona semi final as Schalke would not have the belief that they can win at the Nou Camp, no matter how much Frank Rijkaard helps them out with his tactical decisions tonight.
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