The first-leg between Manchester United and AS Roma saw the hosts completely outclass their Italian counterparts and take a big leap into the final of the UEFA Europa League. Manchester United will go to Italy with a first-leg lead of 6-2 and the Italians have a huge task in front of them.
What a second half. What a team.
Halfway there, boys 👊
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2021
Roma were on the losing side in their last 3 previous visits to Old Trafford. While on the other hand, United hadn’t lost a European semi-final at home since 1997.
What could have worried the Red Devils was their form in semi-final matches. Since taking the reins from Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunner Solskjaer and Manchester United had featured in 4 semi-finals losing all of them.
The Red Devils were the first team to trouble the scorers as Bruno Fernandes scored his 25th goal of the campaign. But their lead didn’t last long as a first-half goal and assist from their captain Lorenzo Pelligrini helped Roma overturn Manchester United’s lead.
Both the teams went into the tunnel with a score-line of 2-1 in Roma’s favor. But the English team came into the second half with more zeal and enthusiasm as they managed to torment Roma’s defense scoring 4 goals in the second half. Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes both bagged a brace for themselves and goals from Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood topped off an impressive Manchester United performance.
Manchester United looked the dominant side and the side that was hungry for goals after last week’s stalemate against Leeds. After a lousy first half, they scored a goal from every opportunity they got to increase their lead in the first leg. They were lucky at times but the men in red didn’t stop running till the end and produced a world-class performance at Old Trafford.
The key takeaways from the game are-
INJURIES FOR THE ITALIANS
Roma’s injuries woes continued as Paulo Fonseca had to make two crucial first-half changes owing to injuries to midfielder Jordan Veretout and goal-keeper Pau Lopez. Veretout had to be subbed off in the 5th minute of the game after he had picked up an early injury in the match.
The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder, Gonzalo Villar took up his position. Their goal-keeper injured himself while parrying away a strong Paul Pogba strike. Fonseca also had to make a third change in the first 45 minutes as Leonardo Spinazzola was brought back to the bench in the 37th minute. He was replaced by Brazilian defender Bruno Peres.
And … breath. 😅
Two goals, three injuries – but we are ahead after 45 minutes!
#ASRoma #UEL #ManUtdRoma pic.twitter.com/hhJ7yqX8uO— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) April 29, 2021
MAGICAL UNITED
Manchester United looked the more dominant side in the first half. They saw more of the ball and produced some magical changes for their strikers to convert. They were the first team on the score sheet at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United drew first blood in the match when he chipped the rushing Roma keeper to give the Red Devils the lead. The move started when Paul Pogba dribbled past 3-4 defenders to provide the ball to Cavani who put it on a plate for the Portuguese.
The magician then chipped the ball into the back of the net to get his 4th goal of this year’s Europa League campaign. Edinson Cavani leveled for Manchester United soon after the first half. The Uruguayan striker combined with Bruno Fernandes to bring Manchester United back level.
Fernandes found Cavani empty in the box after they counter-attacked Roma. The striker didn’t disappoint as he shot the ball in the top corner to bring the Red Devils back on level terms.
The job was not yet complete for El Matador as he managed to put the home team in the lead for the second time in the match. A brilliant move that started with Luke Shaw ended with Cavani putting the ball into the empty AS Roma net. Manchester United led the tie 3-2 in the 64th minute.
IT'S CAVANI AGAAAAAIIIIINNNNN 🤩
🔴 #MUFC
🏆 #UEL pic.twitter.com/Vtsacx5kdK— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2021
Just 7 minutes after the third goal the team in Red bagged their 4th goal of the match as Cavani attracted a foul from Chris Smalling inside the box. The referee awarded a penalty for the home side which was calmly converted by their top-scorer Bruno Fernandes who scored his 5th goal of the campaign.
Manchester United had started to dictate the tempo of the game and a 5th goal came knocking on the door soon after. Paul Pogba this time headed the ball in the back of the net to help Manchester United score their 5th goal of the night and more or less put the tie to bed.
Mason Greenwood added the last nail to the coffin as he went past a tired Roma defense to score the 6th goal of the night for the Red Devils.
CAPTAIN MARVEL, PELLEGRINI
It didn’t take long for the Italians to equalize against their English counterparts. Paul Pogba gave away a debatable penalty in the 15th minute of the game when the ball caught his hand and the referee awarded a penalty. After a VAR check the Italian team was given a spot-kick. Captain Marvel, Lorenzo Pellegrini took charge of the kick and converted the penalty to bring Roma back-level.
It didn’t take them long to turn the scoreline around as former Manchester City player, Edin Dzeko had an empty net to put the ball in.
💪 @EdDzeko 🤝 @LorePelle7 🙌
#ASRoma #UEL #ManUtdRoma pic.twitter.com/Txx3Wqchqz— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) April 29, 2021
Armenian international, Henrikh Mkhitaryan split open his former team with a beautiful pass to Pelligrini who had spotted Edin Dzeko as he squared it to him who had an empty net to bulge the ball in. Roma was punishing the Red Devils for every mistake they made but the 2 away goals are the only thing they are going to take from Manchester.
