AS Roma kept Manchester United from attaining a perfect record
in the group stage of the Champions League, holding the two-time
champions to a 1-1 draw yesterday.
AS Roma's David Pizarro (R)
and Manchester United's Dong Fangzhuo fight for the ball during
their Champions League Group F soccer match at the Olympic stadium
in Rome yesterday.
Gerard Pique gave the English champions the lead in the 34th
minute, but Amantino Mancini equalized in the 71st.
Pique headed a corner past Roma goalkeeper Doni for his second
goal of the competition. Mancini evaded Wes Brown and then beat
United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak from the left.
"There was a bit of inexperience at times but we put in a good
performance and we can be pleased with that," United manager Alex
Ferguson said. "We lacked experience at times but they played some
good football against a stronger side."
United and Roma had both already clinched spots in the second
round from Group F. The draw for the knockout round is set for Dec.
21.
"We deserved to win this game considering what we did in the
second half," Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said. "Both teams were
cautious in the first half but we did well after the restart."
Ferguson said John O'Shea injured his groin, and added that he
rested several regular starters because of Sunday's Premier League
match at Liverpool.
"We've got a big game on Sunday," Ferguson said. "The players at
home have done good training sessions."
Michael Carrick had a shot in the 55th that Doni saved. Jonny
Evans then seemed to have an easy tap in, but Cincinho managed to
clear the ball.
Wayne Rooney, making a rare appearance as captain, twice shot
the ball over the crossbar in the early stages of the game.
Francesco Totti thought he had scored for Roma in the 11th
minute, but he was whistled for offside.
Before the game, five Manchester United fans and one supporter
of AS Roma were stabbed, news reports said. They were not in
serious condition.
In last year's quarterfinals, police clashed with United fans at
the match at Roma. In the second leg, United crushed Roma 7-1.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily December 13, 2007)
