ManU v ASRoma — Tactical Pregame

By: Sam | April 1st, 2008

As the Red Devils enter the Roman Coliseum of the Stadio Olimpico this evening, they’ll be the nervous ones.

Roma surely have their 7 – 1 drubbing at Old Trafford at the fore of their minds, while Reds will be most concerned about the 19-year-old Italian fascist polizei who are the more likely tonight to be the cause if violence accosts this beautiful game withall its pent-up emotion.

Much is made of Totti’s absence from injury tonight, but this means a team of Roma’s quality will step up and all the individuals will take on more personal responsibility. Said Roma coach, the handsome bald one, Luciano Spilletti:

“Totti is Totti,” he said. “But a team that is not able to play without a player does not have the right mentality.”

Much — too much — is made of formations when it’s all about heart & gut, but Roma’s 4-5-1 (which becomes a 3-4-3 when a team has the ball) will need to play 9 men well up Man United’s half to keep-ball away from the confident United front-runners.

If Roma prevail at home this leg, which they can, it will be due to their success at pressing the United midfield against the touchlines around the center stripe and harrying the link to the fearsome, on-song front-three of Tevez, Rooney & Ronaldo. [UPDATE: S Korean, Park Ji-Sung, started with Tevez a-bench.] If Roma succeed, those three will not see much of the ball. We know they are capable of negating United since Ronaldo disappeared at his last visit. But above all, Roma must keep balance in their shape.

Likewise, United will need to keep track of Vucinic, Mancini, De Rossi & Taddei. The Wes Brown v. Marko Vucinic will be interesting battle on the left (Brown’s right). United’s hyperconfidence and hypercheek will be muted away, but their hyperpace will show in abundance if Roma are unsuccessful at disturbing their rhythm.

Can Roma create chances? Yes if they rely on their finesse and if they can hold possession.

More, during & post match.