Roma 1 - 1 United

  • 13 December 2007

A much-changed Manchester United side earned a draw against Italian giants Roma to protect their unbeaten record in the Champions League this season.

With United already having won Group F and Roma having qualified in second place the game had an eerie start, with the opening 20 minutes dreadfully apathetic.

David Pizarro tried to rid the match of its lethargy by shooting from 25 yards, but Tomasz Kuszczak dived away to his left to make a fairly routine save.

At the other end, United's youthful side fashioned their first opening when Wayne Rooney clipped in a cross from the right and Doni had to be alert to tip over John O'Shea's looping header.

Just after Mauro Esposito missed a golden chance with a close-range header for Roma, United took the lead. The otherwise quiet Nani swung in a corner from the left and Pique sneaked in unchallenged six yards out to plant a header past Doni.

The goal prompted a Roma rally as Mancini raised a shot from close-range on to the bar, Mauro Esposito headed the rebound over and then Mancini saw another effort parried away by Kuszczak.

The game was still being played at not much more than walking pace, but at least chances were being created. United nearly doubled their lead after the interval when Chris Eagles helped another Nani corner goalwards, but a combination of Philippe Mexes and Doni managed to get the ball clear.

Roma brought on Ludovic Giuly and Vucinic to chase the game and after Saha was denied by a fine Doni save, they pulled level. Vucinic slotted the ball through to Mancini on the edge of the box and he neatly came inside and whipped his shot past the despairing dive of Kuszczak. Vucinic was having a stunning impact on proceedings and the Montenegro striker rifled a shot against the foot of the post moments later.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Simpson, Pique, Evans, O'Shea (Brown 54), Eagles, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Saha, Rooney (Dong 71).
Subs Not Used: Heaton, Lee, Hewson, Brandy, Eckersley.