United On Fire

Nearly a whole year ago, United were coming of the back of a splendid 4 goal win in the league and waiting to face Roma in the Quarter Final of the Champions League. That game finished 2-1 to Roma but it didn’t matter because in the return leg, United put on one of their best ever European performances and slaughtered them 7-1.

What is the difference between now and then? Well, firstly Blackburn, whilst conceding as many goals as Aston Villa, put up a really hard fight and it wasn’t until the 61st minute that Paul Scholes scored an equalizer to turn the game. The Villa game, conditions aside, was a stroll in the park by comparison. Secondly, Totti will be missing for Roma, and he is their main player. Finally, Nmanja Vidic dislocated his shoulder in the Blackburn match which had major repercussions later in the season, with tiredness being the cause of the sem-final loss and only just bringing home the title.

I think the result will be different tomorrow night, the team are in a much stronger place, and one striker aside could not be stronger squad wise. With this in mind, I think we are well placed for the Champions League as well as the Premier League.

The only thing I’m not sure about is whether the dreadful scenes in the crowd will be repeated. I hope not.

I will, hopefully, be Live Blogging again for the game (see the Bolton one I did) so come back from 19:45 to see what I think of the events as they happen.

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You’ve got to be happy with that. Roma, with the advantage of the away game first, and avoiding another English club until the final. (Although the thought of losing to Liverpool in the final still makes me quake). Also, can chuckle at Arsenal v Liverpool meaning that they play each other three times in a row. In fact, Arsenals next seven matches include United, Chelsea and Liverpool thrice.

Chelsea going to Fenerbache will not be easy although they should win, but then they will come up against the Arse or pool in the semi. We will either get Schalke 04 (interesting name) or Barcelona. I hope that if the Spanish giants get through, they’ll still be a bit crap.

Let us not count our chickens however. Whilst we stuffed Roma last season, the results against them in the group stages were more indicative of this seasons result. We should get through, though once again I worry about the potential for crowd trouble in Rome.

Full draw

Champions League quarter-final draw:
1 Arsenal v Liverpool
2 AS Roma v Man Utd
3 Schalke 04 v FC Barcelona
4 Fenerbahce v Chelsea

Champions League semi-final draw:
1 Arsenal/Liverpool v Fenerbahce/Chelsea
2 Schalke/Barcelona v AS Roma/Man Utd

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