The Sea Of Goals

Manchester United 7, AS Roma 1. A game Manchester United and their supporters will remember for ages and one AS Roma and their fans would like to soon forget. Perhaps the outcome wasn’t unlikely- Manchester United have been one of Europe’s top teams for the past decade, while Roma progressed to the quarterfinal stage for the first time since reaching the Final in 1984- but result certainly wasn’t. No one would be shocked if the Red Devils put seven past the likes of Shaktar Donetsk or Steaua Bucharest, but against a Roma team that had surrendered just six in the tournament, the result was a dream- or a nightmare depending on your perspective.

The story for Roma was dreary almost right from the get-go. Their most prolific striker, Franceso Totti, actually had a chance rattle the post five minutes in, but Michael Carrick’s 11th-minute chip-shot floater that eluded a wandering Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni seemed indicative of how the night would go for the beleaguered Italian side. Six minutes later rarely-used striker Alan Smith put United ahead 2-0, then Cristiano Ronaldo- again up to his old tricks- set up Wayne Rooney two minutes later for his second goal against Roma in as many days- this after having never scored in the Champions’ League his entire career. Ronaldo himself would get into the action with a 44th-minute strike that put the Red Devils up 4-0 at the break, and, just so Roma didn’t think he decided to take the rest of the game off, Ronaldo grabbed another goal for himself after 49 minutes off a corner kick. Carrick sizzled his second from just outside the box after a cutting pass from Gabriel Heinze, and while Roma’s Daniele De Rossi scored off a rebound to ruin any United hopes for a clean sheet, Patrice Evra- a left back who had scored only six goals his entire career- completed the rout with a seeing-eye shot that found its way through the small hole between Doni and the far left post. It was a night where every chance United had they buried, while for Roma it was one where everything that could go wrong did.

Perhaps what was more shocking about the result was the manner in which it arrived. This was not a Roma team that looked disinterested or tired- this was a Roma team that put in an honest effort, only to be blown away by a United side that was clearly better. Even after going down 3-0, Roma were still going forward and created several chances, moving the ball very dangerously in the United midfield. One could have even thought that United grabbed its three goals too early, because Roma had more than enough time to grab two goals to go through to the next round. The game didn’t even look out of reach until Ronaldo put United up by five, but even there, the most optimistic of supporters still believed Roma could pull it off with 40 minutes left to play. It wasn’t until Carrick’s second where even the most strident optimist had to concede defeat, because it was only then were Roma clearly deflated. De Rossi may have showed United that Roma were capable of beating their defence, but it was too late.

For Manchester United, the result means that the race with Chelsea is very much on for the Premiership and sets up the tantalizing final between the two Premiership giants- with the game being potentially two weeks before the two clubs would effectively clash for the Premiership title itself. It also assures at least one English club in the Final and means that the entire top three- United, Chelsea and Liverpool- are still alive for the trophy. For Roma, it is indicative of their season- they have played well, but they are supremely outclassed. Roma sits an astounding 18 points behind Inter Milan in the Serie A title chase, and while Inter still hasn’t officially clinched the title, with eight games remaining on that kind of deficit, it is only a matter of time. The title may even be potentially clinched on Wednesday, as Inter’s next two games are at home against the free-falling Palermo and this very Roma club on Wednesday, both teams’ seventh-last game. Inter wins in both contests- or at the very least the status quo after Sunday and a victory against Roma on Wednesday- assures them the title.

However, while Roma were outclassed, it is important to remember that it is just one game. I Lupi got to where they are through determination and work ethic, and while the team isn’t as deep talent-wise as they had been in years past (due to financial difficulties), they showed that teams don’t necessarily need to have deep pockets to have relative success in Europe. It is even possible that had the draw not worked against them- slotting Bayern Munich or AC Milan against them instead of Manchester United- Roma may be a semi-final team. Sceptics may point out that Roma’s 2-1 first-leg win was due to the fact that United were down to ten men, but even then, you don’t go up on United without at least having some talent. Roma may have hung their heads low after the final whistle on Tuesday, but when they look back at their achievements- getting to the Champions’ League quarterfinals for the first time since 1984- they will realize they far exceeded their own expectations.

The Britons may have sacked Rome, but they won’t crush their spirit.

-DG