Rooney fires United home in close encounter
Ok, I’ll get it out of the way at the start. Another 1-0 win!
Right onto the game itself. In many ways it was a typical, tense, tight European match. In fact totally the opposite of the 7-1 game. However, United played with 2 up front with Saha and Rooney getting the nod over Tevez. More surprisingly Nani started instead of Giggs. It was almost good stuff from United. As the game progressed it looked like United had the upper hand, but were just a bit slow in the passing, just a bit off, just a bit too easy for Roma to defend. United were solid defensively except O’Shea looked very rusty and was out of position a number of times; understandably considering the lack of experience at left back.
United’s best chance came when Nani beat two Roma players and put in an excellent cross, only for Rooney to blast it over the bar.
The 2nd half was much the same as the first with Nani the pick of the attacking players. One cross turned into a shot and hit the bar. Then, United put together the one true swift attacking play of the night and opened up Roma completely. The move was so fast that Rooney left his marker, and Nani played him in on the edge of the area. With a first time shot, he blasted it against the post and into the net. It was a true flashback to the wonderful football from last season, but it was the only time it happened all game.
Tevez looked good and did well when he came on, but it was Roma that had the better chances towards the end of the game as they tried for an equalizer. There was pin ball in the box as our defence were caught out of position, but the ball was deflected over the bar. There was an even better chance for Esposito who blazed wide from 10 yards.
United finished with 10 men as Ronaldo had to go off to get stitches on a cut caused by a Roma elbow to the face but they held out to complete another 1-0 win.
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October 4th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
United had close shave you can say.Totti with those flicks and tricks nearly maade United pay but when ferdi is in form its impossible to score.Between i was so impressed with your post i had to make a link to your article.I would just appreciate if you make a small comment at my blog.thanks anyways
October 31st, 2007 at 10:46 pm
[...] the first game of the month felt like September hadn’t ended as we beat Roma in the Champions League 1-0. It was a typical tense European match which United won with a well worked goal from Wayne Rooney. [...]