LONDON, May 5: While Jose Mourinho watches from the sidelines before taking over as Roma’s manager, all eyes are on current coach Paulo Fonseca to see the Italian side through to the Europa League semi-final return leg against Manchester United on Thursday.
With five second-half goals scored in their previous encounter, Manchester United currently hold a healthy 6-2 lead.
A comeback, although unlikely for Roma, is still possible before Mourinho replaces fellow-Portuguese Fonseca next season.
Manchester United had won the Europa League in 2017 and are strong favourites to advance to the final, but they are not taking Roma lightly.
“It’s not finished. We have to stay focused and play the next game with the same mentaity,” said midfielder Paul Pogba.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added, “I don’t feel the job is done, but it was a good job done. We did well but we know they have quality.”
United are expected to be well rested since their Premier League match against Liverpool Sunday was postponed following a pre-game pitch invasion by fans in a protest against the club owners.
Roma’s woes, meanwhile, continued as they lost 2-0 at Sampdoria to stay at 7th place in the Serie A.
Fonseca has pledged to remain committed until the end of his term by saying: “We still have some very important games in front of us this season that we want to win, and we will continue to give our all in order to do so.” (Agencies)
