Vincere, non vendicarsi," Spaletti says ahead of tonight clash between his team and Manchester United of England. "We mean to show what we can do." "We will need to put in two huge performances, but we are up to the task." "Rooney says we're running scared? I say see you in the Olimpico and at Old Trafford." Luciano Spalletti showed neither resignation nor concern on the eve of the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester United. Ferguson-style, the Roma manager deftly sidestepped negative comments (such as: "In Italy we don't yet have the mentality for management") and proudly announced: "We have come this far and will show that we deserve it." These are comments akin to 'when the going gets tough the tough get going'. Even without Totti. Has the captain's absence affected the atmosphere in the Roma camp? "No, not at all," responded the Tuscan coach, "Francesco is an essential part of our team but I am convinced that our collective strength will compensate for his absence." Mirko Vucinic, Roma's leading scorer in this season's Champions League, will be taking his place. "Mirko has always repaid our faith: every time we have placed responsibility on his shoulders he has come up trumps." Not even the memory of the famous and accursed 7-1 can disturb Spalletti's peace of mind. "That still rankles: nothing went right for us that night," admitted the manager, "But we have played them four times in all and managed to win the first. I am sure we'll be able to give them a good game this evening and I also think we'll go through."

"Roma have improved this season but we have played them twice already and we know what to expect," Sir Alex Fergusson declared. "It won't be easy but, the form we are in now, we are looking forward to it," the English manager added.

Totti's missing is a huge blow for Roma indeed, but his impact is not so huge as these odds tend to suggest. Generally, I rate United slightly better, mainly due to a better defence, but it's insane to give them a handicap like this when Champions League is concerned. The home field advantage means a lot more, and the Romans should do the job just like they did against Real, remember they were offered more or less the same price. Roma had to settle for a draw at the week-end against Cagliari in a match they've missed everything they could have missed, the Islanders should have lost by at least 2 goals frankly speaking. But this is Roma, they cam miss their chances one day, but could score on every attempt the next match, could happen against United. The Red Devils instead come confident after they beat Villa and generally look so great in EPL, but it's going to be much different when they go to Stadio Olimpico di Roma, no team in the world can have an easy match there.

Pick : HOME
Odds : 2.16
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Date : 2008-04-01
Match Result : 0-2
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor: http://www.brainbetting.com

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