Ronaldo left dazed and confused

Winger struggling to recall vital header

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 2nd April 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ronaldo left dazed and confused

Ronaldo: Opens the scoring in Rome

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Cristiano Ronaldo admits that he remembers little about his opening goal in Manchester United's 2-0 win against Roma.

The Portuguese winger took his tally for the season to 36 with a brave header six minutes before the break in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash, but was flattened by Marco Cassetti as he rose to nod home.

Unable to celebrate the goal, Ronaldo required treatment from the United physios before gingerly clambering back to his feet and helping United secure a crucial first leg advantage.

"To be honest, I don't remember much about the goal," he said. "I went down and I felt pain. I didn't enjoy it.

"But I will have to watch it on television. Others say it's a good goal."

With the Red Devils now well on course to set up a semi-final date with Spanish giants Barcelona, Ronaldo has called on his team-mates to produce a similar level of performance in the return leg with Roma at Old Trafford next Wednesday.

Confidence

"To win 2-0 away is a great result for us. But it is wrong to think that it's all done," he said.

"However, we have the return leg at home and we have a chance.

"If we carry on like this and play well at home, we will get there.

"I think the second goal killed the game off. We had several chances after to score more goals but a 2-0 win is a good result.

"It's always important not to concede goals and to keep a clean sheet as it is good for confidence."

The only downside on an impressive night for United at Stadio Olimpico was the injury to centre-back Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian international picked up a knee injury and was forced off just 33 minutes into the contest.

Proud

However, his replacement John O'Shea deputised manfully at the back and was delighted to have been part of such an important result for the club.

"We can be very proud of what we achieved in Rome," he said.

"It's not easy to play away from home and get a good result but we have done this.

"I think it's amazing how the team has played and the confidence we have shown throughout the game.

"We have taken a step in the right direction and now we must make sure to clinch qualification at home next week."