SPALLETTI DAUNTED BY UNITED DRAW

AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti cursed his luck after his side were paired with Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw.

Having beaten French league leaders Olympique Lyonnais to reach this stage of the competition for the first time since 1984, Roma must now take on the English Premiership's top team in United. "We have not been lucky in the draws as Manchester United and Lyon are probably the most complete sides in Europe," said Spalletti. "At this stage of the competition every side is strong but United are probably the best of the eight teams left."

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti does not expect an easy ride against Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but is convinced his team can upset the odds.

The Italian giants will host the Premiership leaders on April 3/4 before travelling to Old Trafford one week later.

'At this point of the competition, all the teams are strong,' said Spalletti.

'It would have been perhaps easier to have met a team like PSV Eindhoven but the truth is that all the teams that have made it to the last eight have proved to have a lot of character and determination.'

Roma beat Lyon 2-0 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time.

Spalletti is aware his team will face a mighty task as they take on Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

'Unlike us, Man Utd have a lot of experience in this competition and a lot of tradition,' said Spalletti.

'They are a very strong team, they have a young side that have individual quality, a big team spirit and is one of the most complete teams in the competition.

'But we have do what we did against Lyon, we have to be convinced for our worth and be optimistic about our chances.

'After all, our football is more technical and better tactically than English football.

'I have confidence in my team, we have every intention of going all the way. It will certainly be good practice for the game against Man Utd,' said Spalletti.

Roma will have little time to prepare for the encounter against the Red Devils as only three days before they will face AC Milan in Serie A.


For United, meanwhile, facing Roma for the first time will be "a new and exciting experience" according to Sir Alex. "That's the great thing about Europe, you play teams you've never played before," said the Scot, who explained that Roma's defeat of Lyon meant nobody at Old Trafford would be taking the Serie A side lightly. "We respect their last result. They have some great players like [Daniele] De Rossi and Mancini."

United will travel to Rome for the first leg on 4 April with the return in Manchester six days later. The winning team will encounter either AC Milan or FC Bayern München in the last four. Of a possible semi-final against Milan, Spalletti said: "We want to go all the way and I would have preferred to face Milan in Athens." Sir Alex was rather more circumspect as he said: "Obviously it's pointless looking beyond this game. We must concentrate on this game only. We're really looking forward to it."