Tuesday’s Champions League Round-Up
2nd April, 2008
Manchester United and Barcelona both recorded crucial first-leg away victories to put them both very near to a Champions League semi-final spot.
The English side arguably had the harder of the two ties, travelling to AS Roma, the site of much fan disruption between the two teams in recent years. Despite Roma dominating much of the first half and creating the better opportunities, another moment of brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo saw him make a 35-yard run to meet Scholes’ clever cross with his head to put the away side in front on 39 minutes. After half time Roma continued to push, knowing that taking a goal disadvantage to Old Trafford would give them a very tough task. However it was again United who came up with the end product, with Rooney bundling home his side’s second of the evening on the 66th minute. There won’t be many backing Roma to reach the semi finals, especially after their 7-1 drubbing at Old Trafford at this stage last season.
Barcelona look set to join United in the last four after their single, but highly valuable, away goal gives them a huge advantage to take into their second-leg home game. Henry played a big part in the goal, his snap shot parried by the keeper before he squared the rebound to his 17-year-old teammate Kckic to tap in for the winning goal. The German’s did raise their game but were frustrated by a lack of killer instinct, and Barcelona will know they will need to raise the game should they have any hopes of making it through against their likely opponents in the semi-final – Manchester United.
The results see Man United shorten to 2/1 with Betfred to win the Champions League, whilst Barcelona are now closer to 3/1. Roma and Schalke now find their odds of winning the comptiion stretch past 100/1.
By Chris M
