Thankfully, the violence was kept to a minimum in Rome Tuesday night as Manchester United defeated AS Roma, 2-0, in Champions League quarterfinals. In fact, Guardian correspondent Ed Vulliamy points out that by the end of a match that United thoroughly deserved to win, the Roma fans had “sung, chanted and saluted the losers at such effervescent volume that the visitors’ celebrations in the far corner looked like a silent movie.” That’s how impressed they were with United’s performance.
Of course, “there was a black hole in Roma’s game called Francesco Totti,” said Vulliamy, pointing out that Roma’s forward thrusts lacked that final ball delivery that Totti so crucially provides. The Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, on the other hand, steered clear of excuses: “The best team won, but also the crowd, which this time bungled nothing, and applauded our sad farewell to the Champions League.” It led with the headline: “Troppo Ronaldo” (“Too Much Ronaldo.”)
Indeed. “Beast!” as the man behind Vulliamy yelled towards Ronaldo, before adding: “He’s fantastic!” Roma midfielder David Pizarro also felt compelled to praise the Portuguese, calling him a “champion,” but also “a big head,” who “has no respect for his adversaries.” Not that Ronaldo will mind. The United winger put his team in front with a booming header in the 39th minute. Wayne Rooney then killed the game — and most likely, the series — by turning home a loose ball in the 66th.