Leisurely palpitations? A tactical skirmish in which the two teams fear making the first mistake? It happens a lot in the knockout matches of the best European football – but not Thursday evening in the duel between Manchester United and Rome.
No, the first leg of the Europa League semi-final was at Old Trafford by a bunch of fouls and on the other hand a festival of corpses. With a happy ending for the home team.
United respond strongly
ManUnited set the tone immediately and came up early thanks to Bruno Fernandes (9th place). The guests from Rome took a while to find their feet on the wet ground, but then they did so energetically. Lorenzo Pellegrini, from the penalty spot (15) and Eden Dzico (33) after a gentle pass, caused United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to worry on his forehead.
The coach’s word during the break must have been diabolically good. Because the “Red Devils” moved several gears in the second half. Edinson Cavani (48/64) single-handedly turned the Manchester paddle before the time was right to celebrate: Fernandes (71, penalty) – also twice -, Paul Pogba (75) and Mason Greenwood (86) The home team’s victory stamp is crystal clear.
The final is on May 26 in Gdansk
8 goals between United and Roma: was there nothing? exactly. In the quarter-finals of the Champions League on 10 April 2007, Manchester broke up by the Gilorossians 7-1. Also at that time in the square: Solskjaer.
For the Romans, the ticket to the final is a far cry from the desperate second half, while Manchester United will likely already be able to book the flight to Gdansk on May 26.
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