Ferguson not taking anything for granted despite Champions League Roma win

,not taking anything for granted despite Champions League Roma win

by Barnaby Chesterman 2 hours, 0 minutes ago

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ROME (AFP) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was not taking anything for granted despite his side taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their Champions League quarter-final against AS Roma after the first leg in Italy.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scored the goals as United demonstrated why bookies rate them as the favourites to lift a third Champions League crown in May.

Roma paid for their profligacy in front of goal during a purple patch for 15 minutes after the break while United demonstrated their growing maturity in Europe.

In fact, as Roma left gaps at the back when trying to rescue something from the game, United could and should have scored more goals in the last quarter-hour.
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Ferguson, though, seemed relieved that they had survived during Roma's onslaught when Christian Panucci and Ludovic Giuly missed good chances while Edwin van der Sar made a wonder one-handed save from Mirko Vucinic.

"It was a marvellous result for us. We showed discipline, composure on the ball," he said.

"The Ronaldo goal changed the game for us. It was a fantastic header and the second half was very difficult for Roma.

"We rode our luck in the second half during the first 15 minutes when Roma had good chances but failed to take them.

"That's where you get little breaks in football."

Roma may have injured talisman and captain Francesco Totti back for the second leg and Ferguson isn't getting carried away.

"You can never take anything for granted in football," he added. "We know about Totti's abilities, he's an inspirational figure for Roma.

"But we hope that at Old Trafford on a European night, we'll be ready for it."

Ferguson also paid tribute to goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, whose crucial stop from a fizzing Vucinic header with the scores at 1-0 ensured United's second goal killed the game.

"That's why he has 120 caps, his experience is vital. He made a fantastic save in the second half," said Ferguson.

"He's a great goalkeeper. He's had one or two injuries recently which has given us a bit of concern but he came through well tonight."

United's first goal came after a sweeping move with the ball switching from left to right before Paul Scholes crossed into the box, where Ronaldo arrived late and at pace to out-jump Marco Cassetti to thump home a header on 39 minutes.

Roma dominated the opening period of the second half but on 66 minutes South Korean Park Ji-Sung stretched to head a deep ball from Wes Brown back into the six-yard box where goalkeeper Doni and Panucci got in each other's way, allowing Rooney to prod home.

Both Ferguson and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti praised Park for his never say die attitude in reaching a ball that looked set to sail out of play for a goal-kick.

"From my angle I don't see how he got it back but he managed to get it back and stretched the goalkeeper to get a touch on it," said Ferguson.

"I don't think Wayne knew where it was at first."

Spalletti said Park's attitude was the difference between the teams.

"It's always the same thing, it boils down to mental strength," he said.

"Players have to go looking for the impossible occasions like on Manchester's second goal.

"If players don't have the right mental attitude they might as well stay at home and not go to Manchester next week for the second leg."

Spalletti, though, agreed with Ferguson that United had generally had the breaks in the match.

"We deserved more, the result didn't reflect what happened on the pitch," he said.

"Now it will be very difficult to qualify but we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking it's all over.

"We've already scored twice away from home in the Champions League this season."

In the last round, Roma won 2-1 at Real Madrid but the difference there was that they were defending a 2-1 lead from the home leg and Madrid also had a player sent off in Spain.

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