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| Friday 14 March, 2008 |
| Blog: Roman revenge |
| The Champions League draw wasn't kind to Roma, but Richard Godden believes the Giallorossi will relish their rematch with Manchester United |
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We were treated to the usual spiel about how there are no easy games in the Champions League quarter-finals before the draw was made in Nyon earlier today. But if you had asked Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti if he'd rather have faced Manchester United or Schalke then I think we all know what the answer would have been.
Nonetheless, there is still plenty of cause for optimism in the Giallorossi camp. After being humiliated at Old Trafford last term at this very stage of the competition, Roma faced the Premier League outfit in the group phase this season. Back at the scene of one of the darkest chapters in the club's history, they put in a fine display which deserved far more than the 1-0 defeat they left the Red Devils' home with. That is why Francesco Totti and Co will go into the tie without fear.
And let us not forget that I Lupi had won the first leg of their last eight clash last term after dominating for large spells of the game, with the 2-1 scoreline not doing their efforts justice. It is clear that they will have to make the most of their home advantage this time out. But they are also undoubtedly a far more accomplished side away from the Eternal City than they were 12 months ago. Anyone who witnessed their Bernabeu masterclass against Real Madrid in the previous round will testify to that.
Now to address the question which is on every calcio fanatic's lips - can the Giallorossi keep Europe's biggest prize in the peninsula? The odds are certainly stacked against Spalletti's men. Even if they can emerge with a memorable quarter-final success, it is likely that a tie with Barcelona will await them next.
The current crop of players at the Nou Camp are certainly a long way off their European Cup winning counterparts of two years ago, but they remain a dangerous side. Anyone who can boast the attacking riches of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic needs to be respected. In short, Roma are going to have to complete the ultimate underdog story if they are even to reach the Final in Moscow come May, let alone emerge with the trophy.
It is a status the boys from the Italian capital have revelled in throughout the current Serie A campaign, when they have constantly strived to keep themselves out of the spotlight while slowly but surely creeping up on leaders Inter. Yet with a higher level of competition offered in Europe, I can't see this dog having its day on May 21.
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