Manchester United - Roma
What: Champions League Group F
Who: Manchester United (2nd EPL, 17 pts) v Roma (4th Serie A, 11 pts)
When: Tuesday, 2nd October, 20:45 (CET)
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
TV LINKS
http://www.myp2p.eu/Matches/Match2.htm
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MATCH PREVIEW FROM GOAL
European giants Manchester United and Roma face off at Old Trafford this Tuesday, in the standout game of match day two. With plenty of history surrounding the two sides, and this particular contest, the game is sure to be a highly entertaining spectacle.
It is of course not the first time that these two sides have met. In last season’s Champions League quarter finals, Man Utd managed to overturn a 2-1 deficit in the first leg, to humiliatingly crush their Italian opponents 8-3 on aggregate.
The first leg in Rome was also overshadowed by some horrific violence, as several supporters were arrested, and numerous others were injured and hospitalised.
Manchester United not about to get ahead of themselves
After a slow start to the new season, Manchester United find themselves sitting in second place of the English Premier League table, having won their past five matches, without conceding a single goal.
After two draws and a loss in their first three league fixtures, United really have turned things around, and seem to have recaptured the form that saw them win the championship last season, and also make it to the semi finals of the Champions League.
They will go into this contest as heavy favourites and although a repeat of last year's 7-1 scoreline is unlikely, United must be cautious of a Roma team determined for revenge.
The Giallorossi will want to prove to themselves and to all followers of European football, that their 7-1 defeat was a one off, and that they do have the ability to match it with the true giants of European football. United’s recent form has been good, however if they can’t manage to score more than one goal against this Roma side, then they will not win. Roma are rarely held goalless, so United will need at least two goals to attain all three points.
It’s time for Roma to relive a nightmare
After an exceptional start to the 2007/08 season, things are slowly starting to fall apart at Roma. With several, insignificant injuries, and a set of poor recent results, are Roma really as good as we once thought?
Having not conceded in their first five matches of this season, including three Serie A matches, the Super Cup and match day one of the Champions League, Roma have now conceded eight goals in their past three games, including four against Inter in their most recent match.
Their form going into this clash against an in-form Manchester United side is not the best, however if they want to avoid a repeat of last term’s 7-1 humiliation, they must be on their guard. It will not be easy for Roma, however they will go into the contest knowing that Manchester United have only scored two or more goals in one match this season.
United’s attack, which Roma found so difficult to cope with in the most recent meeting, is not in the best of form at the moment either. Roma are traditionally known as one of Italy’s most attacking sides, so if they are to have any chance of emerging with any form of result, they will have to find away to break through a defence that has only conceded twice in eight games this campaign.
When your team is struggling and out of form, the last place you’d want to end up at is Old Trafford, facing reigning English Champions, Manchester United. Roma may have been slightly unfortunate in their past three matches, however ultimately they only attained two points from a possible nine, something that is simply not good enough.
If they want to match it with Manchester United at all, they simply must return to the stellar form that saw them get off to such a brilliant start this season. It won’t be easy, but if they’re good enough, they may come away with something from their trip to Old Trafford.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
September 29 v Birmingham (A) WON 1-0
September 25 v Coventry (H) LOST 0-2 (Carling Cup)
September 23 v Chelsea (H) WON 2-0
September 19 v Sporting (A) WON 1-0 (Champions League)
September 15 v Everton (A) WON 1-0
Roma
September 29 v Inter (H) LOST 1-4
September 26 v Fiorentina (A) DREW 2-2
September 23 v Juventus (H) DREW 2-2
September 19 v Dynamo Kiev (H) WON 2-0 (Champions League)
September 16 v Reggina (A) WON 2-0
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
The major injury news for United is the injury sustained by number one goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Birmingham City. Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak will make his first UEFA Champions League start for Manchester United.
Gary Neville is still a couple of weeks away with a calf strain, while Mikael Silvestre has a long term knee problem, which will see him out of action until next year. With the exception of Van der Sar, Sir Alex is set to name an unchanged line-up, from the eleven he fielded against Birmingham at the weekend.
Roma
There isn’t much that has changed on the injury front for Roma, with winger Rodrigo Taddei still a few weeks away from a return with a calf injury and defender Marco Andreolli is also some time away from a comeback.
In more positive news for the Giallorossi, young gun Alberto Aquilani could return to the starting line-up, after shaking off a minor injury that saw him sit out Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Inter. If he plays, Aquilani should displace Pizarro in his favored defensive-midfield position, alongside Daniele De Rossi, allowing Coach Luciano Spalletti to have a near full strength squad at his disposal this time around.
POSSIBLIE STARTING LINE-UPS
Manchester United (4-4-2) Kuszczak; Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown; Giggs, Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo; Tevez, Rooney
Roma (4-2-3-1) Doni; Tonetto, Juan, Mexes, Panucci; Aquilani, De Rossi; Mancini, Perrotta, Giuly; Totti
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Cristiano Ronaldo
Much like his club, Ronaldo had a slow start to the season, however in recent times, he has dramatically turned his form around. After scoring the only goal in Manchester’s win at the weekend, Ronaldo will be full of confidence after scoring his first league goal of the season.
When Ronaldo is playing well, United generally play well, and when United are playing well, they are so very difficult to stop.
Roma – Francesco Totti
The Giallorossi captain made it public, only days before traveling to Old Trafford six months ago, that the upcoming match against Manchester at Old Trafford, was a dream come true for him and his team.
It turned out to be nothing more than a nightmare, and Totti, more than any other of his Giallorossi teammates, will be determined to avenge his side’s 7-1 result, and restore the pride that was lost in that defeat. Expect a big game from ‘Il Capitano’.
Dearest Francesco, sometimes its good to keep a shut mouth as we all know what happened after the "i will make ferguson remember my name" last season 
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