Manchester United have placed at least one foot in the UEFA Champions League semifinals after beating AS Roma 2-0, on Tuesday, at the Stadia Olimpico. Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 39th minute and England striker Wayne Rooney secured the full points of the game in the 66th minute. The absence of injured Captain Francesco Totti was crucial for the Romans who failed to convert any of their chances in front of Edwin Van Der Saar's goal. Manchester United were very cautious at the start of the game playing with Rooney all alone in front. The home side was the stronger of the two and Roma enjoyed the majority of possession. Cristian Panucci and Mirko Vucinic went close from scoring but they were unable to make Roma's advantage count.
Cristiano Ronaldo In the 39th minute they were rocked by a towering header from Ronaldo who met Paul Scholes' cross to score his 36th goal of the season. Roma put more pressure to level the score but United's defensive solidity ensured their clean sheet. However they should blame their strikers' poor finishing especially Rodrigo Taddei and Max Tonetto who lost some close range chances that could have brought the Romans back to the game. But the visitors hit them on the counter as Scholes set up Park Ji-Sung but his header was blocked only to come to Rooney who doubled the lead in the 66th minute. Substitute striker Carlos Tevez could have made it 3-0 when he was clear on goal but his effort was too poor.
