The Giallorossi lost 2-0 to the Red Devils in the Stadio Olimpico after goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney saw the Premier League leaders run out comfortable winners.Spalletti now believes that qualification will be difficult but he is confident that his side will go to Old Trafford to try and overturn the result.

“The result doesn’t show the game we played,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia. “We played how we should have and we deserved more both at the begining of the game and in the second half.  Want to read more….. or

“When they took the lead we should have raised our game.

“We had some great chances with Christian Panucci and Mirko Vucinic, yet when the cross came in for United they made the most of it. I believe the result is very harsh on Roma.

“The result punishes us quite a lot and now qualification is very difficult. However we have scored two goals away from home in different Champions League games so we will go there to play for qualification.

“We need to acknowledge what has happened and try and overturn the situation.”

The Italian Job

There was praise for Manchester United, albeit with a ceveat. Spalletti praised the visitors’ discipline, but pointed out that after all the talk of supposedly boring Italian teams, the Red Devils’ approach has been as Italian as it gets.

“It is United’s work rate and willingness of every player to sacrifice themselves for the defensive movement that makes the difference. They maintain a balance between coming back to defend and leaving space to run forward without getting tired.

“They have great stamina and individual talent, although I must point out tonight they were rather fortunate. The talent is there, but so is the luck!

“I said in the Press Conference yesterday that people always maintain Italian clubs play defensive and on the counter, so in that case Manchester United are the most Italian team I know!

“I’ve seen at least 10 of their games and they always play like this. They sit back, soak up pressure, clam up in midfield - which unfortunately we allowed them to do and play between the lines - and then break forward on the counter.

“We played our game and did what we had do, although obviously the team got depressed when United scored with their first foray into the penalty area.

“We had some great chances with Christian Panucci and Mirko Vucinic, yet when the cross came in for United they made the most of it. I believe the result is very harsh on Roma.”

The Road Ahead

“Admittedly it’s very difficult,” he admitted, looking at the prospect of turning a two but we must not make the mistake of assuming we are already out. After all, we have scored two goals in places like Lyon and Madrid.

“When United took the lead we tried to push 10 metres further forward and we did put them under pressure, but couldn’t take our chances.

“I was very unhappy with the last 10 minutes, when we were very disconnected and sent out the wrong message. I never want to see that approach again.”

He also insisted that the challenge would be on in both domestic and European competitions, and one would not be prioritised over the other.

“Nothing changes, as until we are mathematically eliminated then my team has a duty to keep chasing Inter and United.”

“We will try to win every game, although it is not easy. After all, we should have beaten Cagliari last Saturday and didn’t take our chances - as we saw tonight, that really makes a difference.

Roma have it all to do in the second leg at Old Trafford. Last year the Lupi lost 7-1 in Manchester. No doubt they will be hoping to avoid the same humiliation this time around. (goal.com)