A blockbuster semi-final clash by the AS Roma lined up with Manchester United on this Thursday after holding a draw of the Ajax to 1-1 and go through till the last four with an aggregate of 3-2. The strike by Edin Dzeko on the eighteen minutes from the time ensured that it was a draw and passaged for the side of Paulo Fonseca, who was on the back foot for a maximum of the matches. During the other semi-final, Arsenal will be facing Villarreal. They are coached by Unai Emery, who is the former Gunner boss.
According to Fonseca, who had been under pressure by following the Serie A campaign which was disappointing said that he had never gone to any semi-final before and hence he is proud, and this is special enough because they are representing Italy at this moment. He also added that it is a moment of pride for the entire Roma, and everyone is very happy.
The only remaining representative of Italy in Europe came into a sudden clash with a slender lead at the Stadio Olimpico. Still, the two away goals were from the first leg in Amsterdam.
The European campaign was looking in danger when they introduced Ajax teen Brian Brobbey during the break time, and there was an instant impact made by the striker who was racing onto the pass by Perr Schuurs three minutes after it all started and the ball was also nipped past the onrushing Pau Lopez.
However, after the strike of Dusan Tadic for the six minutes away side was being ruled out for the foul in the build-up on Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Dzeko, anyhow, managed to tip the tie in favor of the Roma’s.
The Bosnian was being seen on hand so that the leveler can be tap home which will eventually put Roma a goal that is ahead on the aggregate after the low cross of Riccardo Calafiori was deflected into his path.
While Ajas was needed for scoring again for taking the tie into the extra time, the hosts were starting galvanizing. They managed to fend off the outfit of Erik ten Hag, who will be waiting further in the next season for one shot at the European glory.
According to the interview by Ajax’s Davy Klaasen given to the Dutch broadcaster RTL7, he said that if the overall tie is being looked at, they were on the better side, but that does not really define anything. They also knew that it would be a moment of happiness to defend their lead of 2-1.
Roma is also in a hope to gain revenge on the United for the hammering 7-1 as they suffered at the Old Trafford at the stage of the quarter-final in 2007 of the Champions League.
There were few problems that United had faced against the Granada, who had the entire mountain to be climbed after losing in Spain the first leg of 2-0.