Manchester United are in a fantastic position going into tonight’s clash with Roma.
6-2 ahead from the first leg, United just need to do a professional job and they’ll be in the Europa League final in Gdansk.
But Roma’s Roger Ibanez hasn’t given up the fight and is confident his side can knock United out tonight.
That would require a four-goal win on the night.
“We believe until the end,” said Ibanez.
“It’s 90 minutes, we can make a comeback. In the first half in Manchester we showed what Roma are.
“The second was a coincidence, we work hard and we will play strong. We have to do like the first half in Manchester for the whole game tonight.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also told the club’s official website that he is wary of a comeback.
Roma are one of the teams that have really caused upsets and shockwaves in second legs,” said Solskjaer.
“In fact, three years ago, when they came back against Barcelona. So we know what they’re capable of. But our focus is to go and win the game.
“We want to improve as a team and develop as a team and handle difficult situations, and the goal is to win the game of football and, if we do that, then we’ve done a good job.”
The comeback Solskjaer is referring to happened in April 2018. Roma lost 4-1 in the Nou Camp but won 3-0 at home to seal progress on away goals.
Of course, they would need to go one better than that three-goal win tonight.
They also won’t have their vociferous home crowd cheering them on. And they’re not in the same place they were in 2018.
Their manager Paulo Fonseca already knows he’ll be leaving the club at the end of the season to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.
That doesn’t mean Roma can’t come back, or that United can take them lightly, but it does make their task even harder.
Solskjaer is right to be wary and send a message to his squad that the job isn’t done, but progress should be sealed tonight with the minimum of fuss.
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