Spalletti - It will be tough

Roma coach admits United were an 'Italian' team

By Nadia Carminati   Last updated: 1st April 2008

roma coach luciano spalletti

Spalletti: Not giving up

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Luciano Spalletti accepts it will be 'really difficult' for Roma to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after a 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney put United in a commanding position for the second leg of the quarter-final tie at Old Trafford next week.

Roma did have chances to score at home, notably through Christian Panucci and Mirko Vucinic, but were unable to find a way past Edwin van der Sar.

Spalletti praised United's 'Italian' style after the match and the Roma coach also felt the result was harsh on his side, who lost 7-1 at Old Trafford in the second leg at this stage 12 months ago.

Less faith

"If we see the result Man Utd are through, but if we see the game, it isn't so," Spalletti told Sky Italia.

"After the first goal, my guys had less faith in their ability to get back into the match.

"In my opinion we have played as we had to. We surely deserved more at the beginning of the first and second half.

"Analysing the match, this result penalises us and we do not have to make the mistake of thinking we are out, even if qualification, after this loss, is really difficult.

"Man Utd made the difference with the big quality players who sacrificed themselves in covering the ball.

"Man Utd are the most 'Italian' side I have ever met. They always play in this way."