Manchester United, in orbit after his demonstration of the first leg (6-2), jogged his qualification for the final of the Europa League at the expense of a combative Roma who was consoled by a victory (3- 2) Thursday at the Olimpico.
Edinson Cavani will be able to taste, at 34, his first European final, on May 26 in Gdansk (Poland).
And the indefatigable Uruguayan striker of the Red Devils deserved it with a new double (39th, 68th) after that of the first leg.
But all Mancuniens, a bit demobilized by the qualification almost already in their pocket, have not all been in tune with the "Matador", in terms of combativeness.
And the Romans were not far from succeeding in packing the match at the start of the second half by regaining the advantage thanks to Edin Dzeko (57th) then Bryan Cristante (60th), facing an apathetic defense.
Without the two miracles in the wake of Red Devils goalkeeper David De Gea (61st, 62nd), who knows what could have happened to these Mancuniens technically and physically far above but with fluctuating motivation?
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If he watched this match between his former club and his future destination, José Mourinho, who conquered the Europa League with the Red Devils in 2017, was able to measure the extent of the work to make Roma competitive again against the most great Europeans, but also to note that it kept a soul.
Because these Giallorossi, deprived of the three holders left injured at Old Trafford (Veretout, Spinazzola, Paul Lopez), then quickly also of Chris Smalling, forced to leave on injury and give way to the young Ebrima Darboe (30th), despite all well beaten.
Cavani king of the Olimpico
Asleep on his comfortable four-goal mattress, Man U let Roma try it early in the match. But she did not succeed in shaking the certainties of Mancunian. Gianluca Mancini then Henrikh Mkhitaryan (4th) missed closely, Lorenzo Pellegrini (7th) then Pedro (14th) did not fit De Gea - already - was intractable in front of Pellegrini (34th) then Mkhitaryan (41st). In the meantime, Manchester United had finally recovered a little aggressiveness and put under pressure a Roman rearguard still so fragile.
On a first recovery, Cavani only scratched the cross (20th). Then the Uruguayan found the gloves of Mirante (26th). But the third goal was good for "El Matador", perfectly served at the limit of offside by Fred (39th). Roma have had the merit of resuming the assault to score twice at the start of the second half, taking advantage of Mancuniens who have become passive again. But Cavani, he is still hungry and he came out of his box to again knock out the players of Paulo Fonseca (68th), in this Stadio Olimpico where he has his bearings, scorer in each of his outings when he played in Naples.
Roma will console themselves with the victory (3-2) offered by a newcomer, the young Nicola Zalewski, 19, scorer (83rd) a few moments after coming into play for his debut in the first team.
A victory that looks like a farewell gift for Paolo Fonsca.
The sign that the next generation is here for the new era which will begin with the imperator Mourinho.
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