EL opponent - Roma

RashyForPM · Apr 16, 2021

Thread for the Serie A fans and people who watch the Serie A every week. Similar to the Granada thread for those of us who don’t know much about Roma, our opponents for two massive games beginning in two weeks time. All I know is that they’ve got a couple old PL boys (Smalling, Mkhitaryan, Pedro, Dzeko) and a good talent in Pellegrini.

In short, how good/average are they? Do they play good football? What problems will they pose?

DutchRed7 · Apr 16, 2021

We are definitely the favorite, because we have the better players. Roma will defend very compact in a 541/523. They don't want to play football, just want to win. The counter is their biggest weapon.

Inigo Montoya · Apr 16, 2021

RashyForPM said:
Thread for the Serie A fans and people who watch the Serie A every week. Similar to the Granada thread for those of us who don’t know much about Roma, our opponents for two massive games beginning in two weeks time. All I know is that they’ve got a couple old PL boys (Smalling, Mkhitaryan, Pedro, Dzeko) and a good talent in Pellegrini.

In short, how good/average are they? Do they play good football? What problems will they pose?

A lot of experience but their league position says it all.
I watched the Ajax game and they got very lucky in the away leg. If Ajax brought their scoring boots it would have been all over. We will have to be defensively tight as we have throughout as I don’t think given half chances that Dzeko et al will miss easy chances but seeing how good we are away, we have to be optimistic that we can beat them over 2 legs

Inigo Montoya · Apr 16, 2021

DutchRed7 said:
We are definitely the favorite, because we have the better players. Roma will defend very compact in a 541/523. They don't want to play football, just want to win. The counter is their biggest weapon.

That suggests that we will be given more possession. We haven’t been as good in that part of the game as we are countering.
Will need to take our chances

DWelbz19 · Apr 16, 2021

They’re 7th in the Serie A. As long as we have no major injuries in the next few weeks, and break our semi final voodoo jinx, we should be pretty comfortable.

DutchRed7 · Apr 16, 2021

Inigo Montoya said:
That suggests that we will be given more possession. We haven’t been as good in that part of the game as we are countering.
Will need to take our chances

Great point, we need to be very sharp in front of goal

RashyForPM · Apr 16, 2021

DutchRed7 said:
We are definitely the favorite, because we have the better players. Roma will defend very compact in a 541/523. They don't want to play football, just want to win. The counter is their biggest weapon.

Inigo Montoya said:
A lot of experience but their league position says it all.
I watched the Ajax game and they got very lucky in the away leg. If Ajax brought their scoring boots it would have been all over. We will have to be defensively tight as we have throughout as I don’t think given half chances that Dzeko et al will miss easy chances but seeing how good we are away, we have to be optimistic that we can beat them over 2 legs

A bit surprised to hear that they are a defensive side, but 26% possession of the ball last night tells its own story. Are they long ball too? Feels like the only way a 5 at the back team with Dzeko as the lone striker can play.

Looks like we need to attack hard at OT.

prateik · Apr 16, 2021

Dont think they are having a better season than Milan. And that fixture was fairly comfortable.

Anything can happen.. but not the toughest fixture on paper..

On paper, we should be beating Arsenal every time.. but we struggle.. so who knows...

Abraxas · Apr 16, 2021

It will be a tough game, I would have thought. They might be fairly average in their league and on paper but they are bound to raise their game in a match like this. We definitely cannot afford to be complacent, if we put in one of our sloppy performances they are probably good enough to make life very difficult. Let's be honest, we are sloppy quite often so it's not out of the realms of possibility we could have a very tough game. Plus Dzeko is probably the type who could give us one or two issues if he pulls onto Lindelof and they put crosses in. That is going to be one of their main threats. It would be just like us to let Mkhitsryan have a decent game as well. I think if we can stop them getting much into Dzeko it's hard to see the threats.

Maticmaker · Apr 16, 2021

IMO think it all depends on us.
Roma, whatever their strengths and weaknesses have made it to the semi final like we have, so they deserve respect.
If Ole does not 'tamper or rotate players' as he has tended to do in the last semi's, then we should be OK.

izec · Apr 16, 2021

We beat Milan, so we should deal with Roma as well. They aren't better.

Unless we bottle it again in the semis. No disrespect, but if we play well, we should win quite comfortably. Roma are a decent side, but i don't think they are as good as Sevilla last season or Milan this season.

Their tie against Shakhtar was impressive, they won easily. I think they are a bit inconsistent, but we should still go through, even if they have a good day against us.

always_hoping · Apr 16, 2021

DWelbz19 said:
They’re 7th in the Serie A. As long as we have no major injuries in the next few weeks, and break our semi final voodoo jinx, we should be pretty comfortable.

Its sides that has little hope of reaching the Champions league via domestic league positions that are most dangerous in the latter stages of Europa league. And when United won this competition in 2017 they finished 6th in the Premier league.

Roma in the Serie A have been competitive against the top three in Italy this season.

Juve (H) 2-2
Milan (A) 3-3
Inter (H) 2-2
Juve (A) 2-0
Milan (H) 1-2

Only Inter and Juve have gained more points at home than Roma in this seasons Serie A.

Their record in the Europa league this season.

P12 W9 D2 L1 F26 A9

Their one defeat was the final group game and they had already topped the group going into that game.

Grylte · Apr 16, 2021

Smalling's going to have the match of his life and score a header from a corner.... it's inevitable, isn't it?

Shane88 · Apr 16, 2021

Dzeko has 7 goals and 2 assists in 9 games against us.

DutchRed7 · Apr 16, 2021

RashyForPM said:
A bit surprised to hear that they are a defensive side, but 26% possession of the ball last night tells its own story. Are they long ball too? Feels like the only way a 5 at the back team with Dzeko as the lone striker can play.

Looks like we need to attack hard at OT.

Yeah, they look for Dzeko a lot as an outlet. Not just long with a long ball, Dzeko drops also a lot so he can lay it of to teammates.

norm87cro · Apr 17, 2021

By now I would think that the CAF has learned that we are not clear cut favorites against anybody. Sure we are stronger but we need a dominant performance straight off the bat. If Roma get to a 0 0 after HT I can see this tie going tricky.

norm87cro · Apr 17, 2021

On another note I'm really scared of a Lindelof Dzeko match up. Big Harry should be on him

Thiagoal · Apr 17, 2021

norm87cro said:
On another note I'm really scared of a Lindelof Dzeko match up. Big Harry should be on him

I wouldn’t be too worried. It’s a 35 year old version of Dzeko these days and although he can be a nuisance he’s far from prolific and not as dangerous as he once was.

norm87cro · Apr 17, 2021

Thiagoal said:
I wouldn’t be too worried. It’s a 35 year old version of Dzeko these days and although he can be a nuisance he’s far from prolific and not as dangerous as he once was.

We will see. He can definetly outmuscle Lindelof. Hope you are right.

RkkMan · Apr 17, 2021

always_hoping said:
Its sides that has little hope of reaching the Champions league via domestic league positions that are most dangerous in the latter stages of Europa league. And when United won this competition in 2017 they finished 6th in the Premier league.

Roma in the Serie A have been competitive against the top three in Italy this season.

Juve (H) 2-2
Milan (A) 3-3
Inter (H) 2-2
Juve (A) 2-0
Milan (H) 1-2

Only Inter and Juve have gained more points at home than Roma in this seasons Serie A.

Their record in the Europa league this season.

P12 W9 D2 L1 F26 A9

Their one defeat was the final group game and they had already topped the group going into that game.

Read this article. While Roma are a good side you're over estimating them in a way and Chelsea who finished 3rd ITL won it vs an Arsenal team who needed to win it to qualify CL football. Sevilla won it last season even though they finished top 4. Sometimes (or most times) quality prevails
https://www.90min.com/posts/man-utd-as-roma-who-will-make-the-europa-league-final-opinion

G-manc · Apr 17, 2021

Roma are my Italian team (I lived in the outskirts of the city for 2 years and went to most home games) so i watch them whenever they are on TV. They are far too porous defensively to beat us over 2 legs IMO and were very lucky to get past Ajax.

Scarecrow · Apr 17, 2021

My neighbor and good mate is a Roma fan, so I watch them often with him (any time they play on the same day as United basically). I’d be shocked if we lose to that lot, to be honest, and he feels the same way

Their GK and defense is shit, except for the LB.Going forward they’re pretty slow and their talented attacking players are all past their prime, except Zaniolo (injured) and maybe Pellegrini who is ok but not really top level.

Brightonian · Apr 17, 2021

Inigo Montoya said:
That suggests that we will be given more possession. We haven’t been as good in that part of the game as we are countering.
Will need to take our chances

Cavani will be crucial. Our handful of really successful showings in games where we've dominated possession this season have all been the result of him giving us someone in the box for Shaw (and others) to aim crosses at. Otherwise it's just an endless fruitless attempt to sneak the ball through packed low blocks. Move the ball rapidly from side to side, work dangerous crossing positions, and put the ball on Cavani's head, with Greenwood, Bruno et al looking to sweep up the pieces.

mitchmouse · Apr 17, 2021

Grylte said:
Smalling's going to have the match of his life and score a header from a corner.... it's inevitable, isn't it?

or fall over after three seconds and give away a major goal-scoring chance...

mitchmouse · Apr 17, 2021

I haven't seen much of Roma lately but I am always wary of Italian sides: seems to me. on their day, they can outclass almost anyone. I don't care what the bookies say, Arsenal must be favourites for the trophy given that Villareal are a known quantity and are certainly beatable. Anyone harping on about the 7-1 victory need to wake up: that was about 14 years ago and has no bearing on anything

Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell · Apr 17, 2021

Grylte said:
Smalling's going to have the match of his life and score a header from a corner.... it's inevitable, isn't it?

That's why Ed arranged that hit on his house, allegedly of course.

RkkMan · Apr 17, 2021

mitchmouse said:
I haven't seen much of Roma lately but I am always wary of Italian sides: seems to me. on their day, they can outclass almost anyone. I don't care what the bookies say, Arsenal must be favourites for the trophy given that Villareal are a known quantity and are certainly beatable. Anyone harping on about the 7-1 victory need to wake up: that was about 14 years ago and has no bearing on anything

Read this to get a better insight on Roma they're solid on their day we're clear favorites and there's nothing the people here insecure over us being favorites for this competition can say to change that
https://www.90min.com/posts/man-utd-as-roma-who-will-make-the-europa-league-final-opinion

As for Arsenal/Villareal the latter are unbeaten in the competition this season and Emery is their manager who's a EL specialist saying Arsenal are "favorites" is a bit of a stretch the Spanish team are well capable of causing an upset

TrustInJanuzaj · Apr 17, 2021

mitchmouse said:
I haven't seen much of Roma lately but I am always wary of Italian sides: seems to me. on their day, they can outclass almost anyone. I don't care what the bookies say, Arsenal must be favourites for the trophy given that Villareal are a known quantity and are certainly beatable. Anyone harping on about the 7-1 victory need to wake up: that was about 14 years ago and has no bearing on anything

That must be a joke. Not only are Arsenal considerably worse than us. Villarreal are unbeaten in this competition and are better than Roma. I think I’d have Arsenal as 4th favourites as I think Villarreal will beat them and I’d expect Rome could in the final too if they managed to get past us.

TwoSheds · Apr 17, 2021

Any team with Emery in charge has to be favourite for the EL once they've got to the semi. He's the past master in this competition.

Lay · Apr 17, 2021

TwoSheds said:
Any team with Emery in charge has to be favourite for the EL once they've got to the semi. He's the past master in this competition.

I do hope Villarreal beat Arsenal

sillwuka · Apr 17, 2021

I know its Europa but this gives me the big match feel.

Really looking forward to this one. I think we will edge it but will be tight.

always_hoping · Apr 17, 2021

RkkMan said:
Read this article. While Roma are a good side you're over estimating them in a way and Chelsea who finished 3rd ITL won it vs an Arsenal team who needed to win it to qualify CL football. Sevilla won it last season even though they finished top 4. Sometimes (or most times) quality prevails
https://www.90min.com/posts/man-utd-as-roma-who-will-make-the-europa-league-final-opinion

Not over estimating, I gave the facts and figures for them

That article is an opinion, and this season alone United were clear favourites to beat the likes Basaksehir, West Brom, Palace, Sheffield United.

Green_Red · Apr 17, 2021

Is Totti still playing for them? I say that half as a joke but wouldn't be surprised if he is. Seems his career went on for ages.

redrobed · Apr 17, 2021

We should beat them but ridiculous that we’ve somehow managed to get the toughest team left in the competition pretty much every round.

RkkMan · Apr 17, 2021

always_hoping said:
Not over estimating, I gave the facts and figures for them

That article is an opinion, and this season alone United were clear favourites to beat the likes Basaksehir, West Brom, Palace, Sheffield United.

You did see the part where they've been awful in big games? Which completely contradicts your statement about them being "competitive" against big teams
And yes Utd have had their fare share of freak losses but this semi final voodoo has to end one way or another and you'd back a team that's lost once in 25 games to do it against a Roma team that's been below par

always_hoping · Apr 17, 2021

RkkMan said:
You did see the part where they've been awful in big games? Which completely contradicts your statement about them being "competitive" against big teams
And yes Utd have had their fare share of freak losses but this semi final voodoo has to end one way or another and you'd back a team that's lost once in 25 games to do it against a Roma team that's been below par

Read back. I said they have been competitive against the top three in Italy this season. The top three in Italy this season Inter, Milan, Juve

Worth pointing out could get knocked out by Roma by not losing either tie (two draws and knocked out on away goals)

RkkMan · Apr 17, 2021

always_hoping said:
Read back. I said they have been competitive against the top three in Italy this season. The top three in Italy this season Inter, Milan, Juve

Worth pointing out could get knocked out by Roma by not losing either tie (two draws and knocked out on away goals)

It means little being "competitive" if they failed to win any of those games right? Results like what we got vs City with our backs against the wall is what is called competitive not failing to win against every team above you. It's worth pointing out they were comfortably in the Serie A top 4 for majority of the season till they recently choked in spectacular fashion. They are not this formidable force you're trying to make them look. Even Roma fans will tell you they'd be shocked if their leaky defence successfully managed to prevent 2 wins against us over 2 legs with their best CB this season out for the first leg

Irwin99 · Apr 17, 2021

Was under the impression they have some major injury issues this season and have been just about been getting by. Will Smalling even be fit for them? Mkhitaryan is back I see.

always_hoping · Apr 17, 2021

RkkMan said:
It means little being "competitive" if they failed to win any of those games right? Results like what we got vs City with our backs against the wall is what is called competitive not failing to win against every team above you. It's worth pointing out they were comfortably in the Serie A top 4 for majority of the season till they recently choked in spectacular fashion. They are not this formidable force you're trying to make them look. Even Roma fans will tell you they'd be shocked if their leaky defence successfully managed to prevent 2 wins against us over 2 legs with their best CB this season out for the first leg

At no stage have I suggested they are a formidable force.

Means plenty, shows they can raise their game/performances against the top 3 in Italy. As I said already two draws in the two ties against United could be enough for them to win. Anything can happen in cup ties and United even under Ferguson have been knocked out of Europe by worse sides than this current Roma side.

mitchmouse · Apr 18, 2021

TrustInJanuzaj said:
That must be a joke. Not only are Arsenal considerably worse than us. Villarreal are unbeaten in this competition and are better than Roma. I think I’d have Arsenal as 4th favourites as I think Villarreal will beat them and I’d expect Rome could in the final too if they managed to get past us.

Villareal are 7th in La Liga (behind Sociedad) and have scored jus 43 goals in 30 league games - hardly anything to turn your hair white

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