Post by Stew on Mar 31, 2008 15:51:23 GMT
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident his side can handle Roma in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg tie.
It is the fifth time the two sides have met in the last year and Ferguson is expecting his side to have the upper hand at the Stadio Olimpico.
"Roma have improved this season but we have played them twice already and we know what to expect," the Scot said.
"It won't be easy but, the form we are in now, we are looking forward to it."
United warmed up for Tuesday's big game in Rome with a superb 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday to stretch their lead at the top of the Premiership to five points.
Wayne Rooney ended his six-match goal drought with a brace against Villa and is expecting United to take their form into Europe.
"Roma is going to be a massive game for us and we prepared the right way with the win against Villa," said the England striker.
"To be at this club, with the football we play, is brilliant. It's something every player would want to be part of."
In a repeat of the 2007 quarter-finals, Manchester United were drawn with Roma having already met in this season's group stages, United winning 1-0 at home before a 1-1 draw in Rome.
Last season, Roma won the first leg quarter-final 2-1 before United administered a 7-1 thrashing at Old Trafford.
"The first time we came here we found the first 20 minutes very difficult, the way they pressed the game, and it took us a long time to adjust," added Ferguson.
"Now we are playing them again and hopefully we have overcome those difficulties."
However, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is confident his team will rise to the occasion this time against Ferguson's men.
"These are special games, which bring something extra out of the players," he said.
"We are, as always, well prepared with the right sort of calmness to go out and express the right characteristics and the right quality."
Meanwhile, Rome and Manchester police are working together in an attempt to prevent the violent scenes that marred the last two fixtures between the teams in Rome.
Hopefully then we can concentrate on a testing but exciting match
Sir Alex Ferguson
Five United fans were stabbed in clashes with opposing supporters in December in the final group game, while 18 Manchester United fans needed hospital treatment last April after clashes with fans and police in Rome.
It is understood that Rome could lose the 2009 Champions League final if there is any more violence on Tuesday.
Ferguson had said earlier: "My main concern is the safety of our travelling fans.
"I urge everyone who intends to go to Rome to heed the security advice so everything passes peacefully.
"Hopefully then we can concentrate on a testing but exciting match."
It is the fifth time the two sides have met in the last year and Ferguson is expecting his side to have the upper hand at the Stadio Olimpico.
"Roma have improved this season but we have played them twice already and we know what to expect," the Scot said.
"It won't be easy but, the form we are in now, we are looking forward to it."
United warmed up for Tuesday's big game in Rome with a superb 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday to stretch their lead at the top of the Premiership to five points.
Wayne Rooney ended his six-match goal drought with a brace against Villa and is expecting United to take their form into Europe.
"Roma is going to be a massive game for us and we prepared the right way with the win against Villa," said the England striker.
"To be at this club, with the football we play, is brilliant. It's something every player would want to be part of."
In a repeat of the 2007 quarter-finals, Manchester United were drawn with Roma having already met in this season's group stages, United winning 1-0 at home before a 1-1 draw in Rome.
Last season, Roma won the first leg quarter-final 2-1 before United administered a 7-1 thrashing at Old Trafford.
"The first time we came here we found the first 20 minutes very difficult, the way they pressed the game, and it took us a long time to adjust," added Ferguson.
"Now we are playing them again and hopefully we have overcome those difficulties."
However, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is confident his team will rise to the occasion this time against Ferguson's men.
"These are special games, which bring something extra out of the players," he said.
"We are, as always, well prepared with the right sort of calmness to go out and express the right characteristics and the right quality."
Meanwhile, Rome and Manchester police are working together in an attempt to prevent the violent scenes that marred the last two fixtures between the teams in Rome.
Hopefully then we can concentrate on a testing but exciting match
Sir Alex Ferguson
Five United fans were stabbed in clashes with opposing supporters in December in the final group game, while 18 Manchester United fans needed hospital treatment last April after clashes with fans and police in Rome.
It is understood that Rome could lose the 2009 Champions League final if there is any more violence on Tuesday.
Ferguson had said earlier: "My main concern is the safety of our travelling fans.
"I urge everyone who intends to go to Rome to heed the security advice so everything passes peacefully.
"Hopefully then we can concentrate on a testing but exciting match."