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Manchester United already have one foot in the UEFA Europa League Final following their huge win over AS Roma in the semi-final first leg. The Red Devils scored six times against their Italian opponents and, despite conceding twice, are the favourites to progress to the trophy match.
AS Roma scored two goals at Old Trafford in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg. That feat would’ve been considered monumental in different circumstances. However, when the teams meet in Rome on Thursday to play the second leg of their tie, Roma’s perceived away goal advantage would count for nought. That is because, although they scored twice, they also conceded six times to Manchester United.
A brace by both Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani helped Manchester United beat Roma, 6-2. The Red Devils trailed the game at one point but finished the match firmly on top thanks to another characteristic comeback. As a consequence of their huge win, they are the firm favourites to progress to the Europa League Final, where they could meet their domestic rivals Arsenal or Spanish side Villarreal.
Roma’s task is made difficult by the fact that not only will they have to score at least four times, but they will also have to keep a lethal Manchester United attack at bay. Doing so will be difficult, especially with the likes of Fernandes, Cavani, Greenwood, and Marcus Rashford in super form.
As such, Roma’s European hopes have all but faded. The hectic Thursday-Sunday schedule has completely derailed their domestic campaign. They are currently seventh in the league and are in danger of missing out on the two top tiers of European football next season. Their only hope of qualifying for the Champions League was through winning the Europa League, but that seems highly unlikely at the moment.
Key Players
Edin Dzeko: When Dzeko put Roma in front at Old Trafford, most fans and neutrals saw the outcome of the match going the other way. The former Manchester City star came back to haunt their rivals with a proper forward’s goal – something he had done several times before against United. The Bosnian is not the same player he was when he was playing for the sky blue half of Manchester. However, he remains a key figure for Roma despite his increasing age.
Lorenzo Pellegrini: The Italian midfielder was one of the few players who could have come out of Old Trafford with their heads held high. His goal and assist helped Roma take the lead briefly against Manchester United, only for them to capitulate in the second half. As a consequence, the task ahead of them is huge. Pellegrini will once again be tasked with the creative responsibilities of the team in the second leg.
Bruno Fernandes: Another magnificent performance from Fernandes has put Manchester United on the cusp of glory. The Portuguese’s signing last January has turned the Red Devils into a much more cohesive and formidable footballing unit, one which is a couple of games away from winning their first major trophy since 2017. The midfielder scored twice in the first leg against Roma and will be looking to, at least, match that performance when the two teams meet again.
Edinson Cavani: In the final minutes of the match, the veteran striker delivered a splendid pass from outside of his boot, which landed straight into the path of Mason Greenwood. The youngster would go on to score a goal, but the majority of the work was done by Cavani, who, despite his increasing age, can still be counted among the very best players in the world. His two goals against Roma were key in the Red Devils’ comeback win.
Prediction
Only an individual who has never witnessed the extreme highs and lows of the sport can confidently claim that Roma have no chance from the match. They trail by four goals, but to deny the possibility of a comeback is to deny the existence of one of football’s most endearing aspects – unpredictability.
Teams, historically, have climbed much higher mountains. One such hill was scaled by Roma themselves when, in 2018, they overturned a three-goal deficit against the mighty Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals. Only a few remnants of that great team can be found in Rome today. However, the spirit of that comeback lives on and will surely push the Giallorossi to attempt the same, once again.
This Manchester United team is no pushover, though. They are mentally strong, as such a complete capitulation in one of their biggest games of the season is unlikely. With their entire squad fit and firing, one can’t help but bestow upon them the tag of favourites ahead of the match. They are firmly in control of the tie, and their progression to the final seems like a mere formality at the moment.
