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Showing posts with label A.S. Roma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A.S. Roma. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Player Ratings: Manchester United - AS Roma

Manchester United:

van der Sar - 6 - It was not the busiest night for the Dutchman and he wasn't convincing, although anything was going to be an improvement from his weekend fiasco.

O'Shea - 7 - Mr Versatile did his job very well for United at full-back as he provided plenty of cover for the wave and wave of attacks.

Brown - 7 -
A potential weak link following the loss of Nemanja Vidic to injury, but he can't be faulted on a night like tonight.

Ferdinand - 7 - Another player keen to improve on the weekends performance and he did just that, while also offered a surprise attacking option with the occassion run through the middle.

Heinze - 7 - The Argentine completes the set of defenders that did their job without being spectacular, but on a night like tonight it is the attacking six that are going to get all the praise.

Ronaldo - 9 - Is there a better player in the World at the moment? If there is I have not seen him in action! Just majestic from the winger, who plays football as if it were art. There are few better sights in football than when Ronaldo is running at speed at defenders, although for Roma it is a sight that will give them nightmares for years.

Fletcher - 8 - In for Paul Scholes, which is not an easy thing to do, but in a totally different way he was just as effective. The Scot worked so hard for his team and will have won over many critics with a fine and gutsy display.

Carrick - 9 - Two sensational goals from a player who is now truly at home at his level. There will be nobody questioning his price tag if he continues to show he has goals in his game. He could have had a third and it would have been deserved.

Giggs - 9 - The Welshman may be the veteran of the outfield players, but the way that he plays the game is so energetic it defies his years. However, his choice of passes is where he shows his experience.

Rooney - 8 - The striker was asked to play out wide and support from the flanks which is not his strongest position, but he was a tireless performer and still arrived with a strikers goal. Excellent performance.

Smith - 8 - United would admit they would rather still have Henrik Larsson or even Luis Saha, but Smith was another player that showed his worth with extra work rate and few would deny his well taken first half goal was well earned.


Roma:

Doni - 4 - Most of the goals were such good finishes that he can't be expected to have saved them, but nonetheless Doni's lack of saves to shots is very poor. He should be more angry with the players ahead of him.

Panucci - 4 - Vastly experienced international, but made to look like a school boy as United used all the tricks in the books to get past him with their various attacks.

Mexes - 3 - Shocking display from the Frenchman who was reduced to show his lack of class with petty fouls in the closing stages.

Chivu - 4 - The Romanian will have been wishing his mask would have covered his entire face so nobpdy would recognise such an uncharacteristic display.

Cassetti - 4 - Ronaldo will have given Cassetti nightmares for years to come, but hopefully he'll then learn how to deal with the wing wizard.

Wilhelmsson - 5 - Marginally more industrious in midfield, but too often poor distribition cost his side dearly. A shadow of what he is capable of.

De Rossi - 6 - Not the worst performance from the Italian despite the outcome, but his lack of support from midfield options was telling. He also scored with a nice finish.

Vucinic - 4 - Totally overrun in midfield and unable to exert any real authority on the game.

Pizarro - 5 - At times he was involved in decent link up play, but so often the final ball was lacking and there wasn't the commitment to get back and deal with United's pacy attacks.

Mancini - 5 - Similar to above, but with even less involvement.

Totti - 7 - Probably the only Roma player that can be proud of their display, as at least the skipper showed commitment. At times it looked as if he was playing on his own and he may have done better if he wass.

For match report and highlights please click here.

Champions League, Manchester United 7-1 AS Roma (agg 8-3)

Manchester United seven wonders destroty Roma!
A scintillating display by Manchester United saw them tear Roma apart to reach the Champions League semi-finals. Manchester United obliterated Roma and all but erased the reputation of Serie A. No one believed it possible to treat an Italian club quite like this. The victors, nonetheless, will give more thought to their immediate future than to this contribution to the lore of European football!!

A goal behind from the first leg, Sir Alex Ferguson's men blew their opponents away with four first-half strikes from Michael Carrick, Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Further efforts after the break from Ronaldo, Carrick and Patrice Evra completed a remarkable 8-3 aggregate success for a United team who will fear neither prospective semi-final opponent, AC Milan or FC Bayern München, after this display.

England international Michael Carrick, receiving the ball from Cristiano Ronaldo 25 yards out, curled a delightful chip over the stranded Alexander Doni in the visiting goal to send the home fans into raptures and sends their hopes soaring. Minutes later a second goal followed from Alan Smith - only in the side as a replacement for injured Louis Saha and a surprise selection ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at that – and then immediately the third goal went in, first-leg hero Wayne Rooney bagging it from close range.

Ronaldo added two of his own either side of half time while another from Carrick and a seventh strike from substitute Patrice Evra completed the rout, Daniele de Rossi grabbing a stylish consolation!!!

The game began at 100 miles per hour, United with the majority of the ball as an electric Old Trafford roared them on. However the first three shots were directed at the goal of Edwin van der Sar. First David Pizarro sent one a few yards wide, which did not especially trouble the Netherlands international, before Francesco Totti unleashed a snaking grass-cutter fractionally past the post that certainly had him worried. The Red Devils' defence learnt their lesson and made sure to close down the playmaker, doubtful until just before kick off, at every opportunity.

Mirko Vucinic had a wayward attempt in the eighth minute, followed three minutes later by Carrick's sublime opener. It was the crucial goal that on many recent European nights had evaded Sir Alex Ferguson's team and sent them out of the competition; on this occasion it served as the catalyst for a phenomenal passage of play that ensured their progression.

In the 17th minute Smith was rewarded for his industry up front when a Gabriel Heinze pass towards the centre of the field was completely missed by Cristian Chivu in a moment of madness and the blonde striker finished coolly from 18 yards. It evoked memories of his winner in the Stadio Olimpico for Leeds United against Lazio back in 2001; if possibly not for ardent Red Devils fans.

Only two minutes afterwards the score was 3-0 as Smith played in Ryan Giggs, who had popped up on the right wing. Attacking the by-line, he fed the ball to the edge of the six-yard box where Rooney had made a run to meet it and hit the back of the net via the inside of the far post.

Still, at that point two goals for the second-placed Serie A side would have put them through and so it was important that the Premiership leaders, beaten by Portsmouth in the league at the weekend, balance attack with defence. They achieved that as Mancini and Totti were frustrated and Montenegro international Vucinic barely got a kick in the final third.

Emotions boiled over at one stage in the first half when Smith was booked for a late tackle on Chivu and then felt wronged when Marco Cassetti was not punished for a blatant off-the-ball kick, while Rio Ferdinand was also shown a yellow card. The fourth goal arrived two minutes before the break when Ronaldo, along with Giggs a constant threat on the counter, bore down on the penalty area and smashed a low shot inside the near post.

The Giallorossi had another nightmare start to the second period when Carrick, who worked tirelessly off the ball throughout the match, passed to the veteran Welsh wing wizard on the left. He low first-time cross was left by Smith and missed by Doni before Ronaldo stuck it away for an incredible fifth goal to pep up the atmosphere once more.

The scenes of jubilation in the stands were the main show from that moment on as Roma struggled to break down a dense United defensive unit; until Carrick took possession from Heinze around the hour mark. He opened up his body and picked out the far top corner with another goal of the very highest quality. Smith attempted an outrageous chip on the bouncing ball from the corner of the box which landed on the roof of the net before Totti crossed to De Rossi, who turned in a volley from ten yards that on another occasion would have had the Italian fans shouting the house down.

Alas for them it meant absolutely nothing in the circumstances and Evra even cancelled it out with a cracking low shot inside the near post from the right with his natural left foot as Doni anticipated a drive to the far upright!!

Totti tried his utmost to score in a match that he described beforehand as more important than last summer's World Cup final victory for Italy over France, though whether he feels the same way now it has ended in such a way is debatable.

Manchester United were deserved winners, Roma swept away by their attacking ferocity early on – perhaps something lacking in recent seasons of failure in Europe.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Heinze, O'Shea (Evra 52), Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick (Richardson 73), Giggs (Solskjaer 61), Rooney, Smith.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Dong, Cathcart, Eagles.

Booked: Smith, Ferdinand.

Goals: Carrick 12, Smith 17, Rooney 19, Ronaldo 44, 49, Carrick 60, Evra 81.

Roma: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Cassetti, Wilhelmsson (Rosi 88), De Rossi (Faty 86), Vucinic, Pizarro, Mancini (Okaka Chuka 90), Totti.
Subs Not Used: Curci, Defendi, Ferrari, Taddei.

Booked: Cassetti, Mexes.

Goals: De Rossi 69.

United's seven wonders match highlights:
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Thursday, April 5, 2007

Champions League, AS Roma 2-1 Manchester United

Roma beat ten-man United
Roma beat Manchester United 2-1 in their Champions League quarter final first leg after a goal from sub Mirko Vucinic. A deflected Rodrigo Taddei goal put the hosts in front before United - who played for 58 minutes with ten men after Paul Scholes was sent-off - equalised through Wayne Rooney.

The Giallorossi began at a frantic pace, forcing a corner within the first minute. Francesco Totti's delivery was only half cleared and the ensuing shot from Taddei almost fell for Christian Panucci. David Pizarro's suspension had elicited a midfield reshuffle, with Christian Wilhelmsson patrolling the right flank, Mancini the left and Taddei operating centrally behind Totti, as Simone Perrotta dropped deep.

The switch seemed to disturb United as Scholes conceded two free-kicks on the edge of the box early on. The first was curled fractionally over by Cristian Chivu, the second drilled low by Totti and pounced on by an alert Edwin van der Sar. United's new-look defence, which had Wes Brown and John O'Shea filling in for the injured Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidić, settled after a nervy start, but the Premiership leaders were far from their fluent best. Indeed, aside from a Ryan Giggs free-kick headed over his own bar by Perrotta, United barely threatened in the opening period. Their growing frustration was epitomised by Scholes, who picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Totti in the 34th minute.

Roma immediately looked to capitalise on their numerical advantage but Perrotta was cautioned for simulation on 42 minutes, ruling him out of the second leg. They finished the first half strongly, however, Van der Sar pushing Taddei's shot around the post only for Roma to score from a quickly-taken corner seconds later. Totti threaded a pass through for Mancini in the left channel and the Brazilian's cutback found Taddei whose strike deflected off Brown and past Van der Sar.

Giggs moved into central midfield after the break yet the Italian team were buoyant and nearly scored again on 48 minutes. Totti led a lightning counterattack, springing forward and feeding Perrotta on the right, whose cross reached Taddei but this time Van der Sar was equal to the Brazilian's low effort. Just when it looked like Roma would take charge, however, Cristiano Ronaldo fired a warning to the home side, breaking free before hitting a tame attempt at Doni. That salvo gave United hope and they levelled through Rooney on 60 minutes, the England striker controlling Ole Gunnar Solskjær's cross on his chest and taking his time before slotting home emphatically.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti reacted by sending Vučinić on for Wilhelmsson, and the change paid instant dividends. The Montenegrin international had already seen one effort saved when he rifled a shot past Van der Sar after the Dutchman had parried Mancini's stinging drive on 66 minutes. Roma finished on top as Perrotta volleyed wide from an acute angle and Totti narrowly missed the target moments later, but United resisted to limit the damage to a 2-1 deficit.

Roma: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Cassetti, Wilhelmsson (Vucinic 62), Taddei (Rosi 82), De Rossi, Perrotta, Mancini, Totti.Subs Not Used: Curci, Faty, Defendi, Ferrari, Okaka Chuka.

Booked: Perrotta.

Goals: Taddei 44, Vucinic 67.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Heinze, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Brown, Ronaldo, Giggs (Saha 77), Carrick, Scholes, Rooney, Solskjaer (Fletcher 72).Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Smith, Dong, Richardson, Eagles.

Sent Off: Scholes (34).

Booked: Scholes, Solskjaer, Heinze.

Goals: Rooney 60.

Champions league, AS Roma 2-1 Manchester united extended highlights:






Monday, April 2, 2007

Romans crank up pressure!

Roma stars Amantino Mancini and Christian Panucci have added coals to the fire of Wednesday's Champions League quarter final against Manchester United by branding Cristiano Ronaldo a 'diver'.

Brazilian Mancini, himself blessed with fantastic dribbling skills, has warned the Portuguese flyer that he will face tougher defenders than he is used to when the two sides meet at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, and that any showboating will be met with disdain.

Mancini said: "Ronaldo is almost perfect in the art of dribbling but the Italian defenders are harder than anywhere else and he will be taking a big risk if he ties any exhibition stuff.

"I've watched Premier League matches and he is protected by the referees. I don't think he will be on Wednesday."

Ronaldo has already been on the receiving end of some stark warnings of late, most notably from Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen who predicted the youngster would leave the field of play on a stretcher during a Euro 2008 qualifier last weekend.

But the 22-year-old seems to feed off such adversity and he has displayed a knack for nonchalantly shrugging off such threats; he scored twice against Belgium as Portugal won 4-0.

Such ability leaves Roma defender Panucci in no doubt as to just how dangerous the hot tip for this season's Player of the Year award is, although the former Chelsea player has urged the referee to stand up to Ronaldo's perceived penchant for over-simulation.

"Ronaldo's class is unquestionable," the Italy international said. "But I believe he abuses his dribbling talents and always exaggerates his falls. A lot will depend on the referee in Roma.

"Ronaldo will not be daring enough to do it because he knows we will not fall for his tricks."

Totti warns Ferguson

You Will find out who I am, Totti warns Ferguson!!
Not mentioning Francesco Totti when listing Roma's best players is tantamount to treason in the Eternal City.

And Sir Alex Ferguson's exclusion of the exalted number 10 among the players Manchester United most fear has added spice to Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, first leg here on Wednesday. Romans are up in arms that Ferguson, when asked which Roma players he most admired, allegedly overlooked Totti and cited midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Mancini as their key men.

And on Sunday, Totti had a stark warning for the Manchester United manager.
"I accept Ferguson's opinion of me, and I hope to make sure he remembers my name," Totti told Sky Sports Italia.

Totti also took a swipe at England and English football, saying he has never been tempted to play in the Premiership.

"I've never liked English football, even though many great players play there," said the 30-year-old Italian World Cup winner.

"I don't like English football, and I don't like England where the weather is miserable."

Friday, March 9, 2007

UEFA Chmapions League draw result

Quarter Finals will be played on 03/04 and 10/11 of April:

AC Milan Vs. Bayern Munich

PSV Vs. Liverpool

Roma Vs. Manchester United

Cheslea Vs. Valenica

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

UEFA Champions League, first knockout round, second leg.

Valencia 0-0 Inter Milan

Chelsea 2-1 Porto

Olympique Lyon 0-2 AS Roma

Liverpool 0-1 Barcelona

Reports, highlights and videos are added now please click on the links!


Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Uefa Champions league, first knockout round, second leg

Uefa Champions league, first knockout round, second leg schedule.

Matchday 8 - Tuesday, 06 March:

Lyon 20:45 Roma
Liverpool 20:45 Barcelona
Chelsea 20:45 Porto
Valencia 20:45 Inter Milan


Matchday 8 - Wednesday, 07 March:

Milan 20:45 Celtic
Arsenal 20:45 PSV
Manchester United 20:45 Lille
Bayern Munich 20:45 Real Madrid


For the Cmapions league Full coverage please click here
First day matches reports and videos are now available click here now!


Sunday, December 17, 2006


The Gladiator, Francesco Totti is an Italian football player, who currently plays for A.S. Roma in Serie A and for the Italian national team, who are the current world champions after winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Francesco Totti's position is that of a striker or an attacking midfielder, though he's best known for playing as the "trequartista", a compromise between the two positions where the player acts as a link between midfield and attack. He is also Roma's first choice to take free kicks, having scored a number of goals from dead-ball situations.

Totti is widely recognised as the symbol of Roma, having never left the team despite the possibility of playing in stronger and richer clubs, and being the number one goalscorer in the club's history.
Here's Totti's video since his first goal, till the world cup.. enjoy!