Europa League: Manchester United Cruise Past Granada To Meet AS Roma In The Semi-Final Once Again

Roma is hoping to take revenge on the 7-1 hammering they got at Old Trafford at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League in 2007.

After holding Ajax to a 1-1 draw to go through to the last four, winning 3-2 on aggregate, Roma lined up a blockbuster Europa League semi-finals clash against Manchester United on Thursday. 

Edin Dzeko’s goal came 18 minutes from time, which ensured a draw and a passage for Paulo Fonseca’s side, who were on the back foot for most of the match, and a showdown with united who walked into the semis 4-0 and after a 2-0 win over the LaLiga side Granada at Old Trafford.

The other semi-final will be played against Arsenal and Villarreal who are coached by the ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery. “I’ve never got to the semi-finals before and am really proud of the lads, playing great football and coming this far,” said Fonseca, who has been under a lot of pressure following a disappointed Serie A campaign.

“It’s a source of pride for Roma and we are all very happy.” Italy’s only remaining great team in Europe came into a clash at the Stadio Olimpico with a thin lead by two away goals from last week’s first leg in Amsterdam.

But after Dusan Tadic’s striker for the away team six minutes later was not given for a foul on Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the build-up, Dzeko tipped the tie in Roma’s favor. 

The Bosnian was on hand to tap home a goal which leveled the score and put Roma a goal ahead on aggregate after Riccardo Calafiori’s low cross was deflected into his path.

With Ajax needing to score again to tie the game and go into extra time, the host who was awakened and managed to fend off Erik ten Hag’s team, who will have to wait for the next season to take a shot at the European Glory.

“If you look at the overall tie we were a better side altogether, but that doesn’t mean anything,” which was told to the Dutch broadcaster RTL7 by Davy Klaasen. We knew that they will be happy with their 2-1 lead.”