Rome: AS Roma has already eliminated Lyon, the best team in France. The English Premier League leader Manchester United is next in its sights.

The first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday is the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

The game pits two of the players with the most flair in Europe — United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Roma's Francesco Totti.

Totti is devoting all his energy to Roma this season, staying off Italy's national team until the metal rod and screws holding his surgically repaired left ankle together are removed in the off season. He leads Serie A with 18 goals.

Ronaldo has 16 goals for the Red Devils this season, but has never scored in 25 career Champions League matches. Similarly, Wayne Rooney has scored 15 times for United this season, but none in the Champions League.

Still, United is on track to repeat its 1999 feat of winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

United defender Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out with a broken collarbone, and joins captain Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre on the injured list. Wes Brown is likely to join Rio Ferdinand in central defence with the job of containing Totti.

In Roma's defence, Christian Panucci could be shifted from his usual right-back position to left back since Max Tonetto is out injured. Marco Cassetti should step in on the right.

Defender Christian Chivu should move forward to midfield to replace the suspended David Pizarro.

Speedy Brazilian wingers Amantino Mancini and Rodrigo Taddei are expected to support Totti in attack, with midfielders Daniele de Rossi and Simone Perrotta also coming forward.

Roma has a nine-match unbeaten streak at home in Europe, while United has won just two of their last 12 away games in the competition. — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail