Roma midfielder looking for World Cup repeat

Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta goes into tonight’s Champions League match against Manchester United hoping his team can duplicate the success achieved by Italy in Germany last summer.

Giallorossi players Perrotta, Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi were all in the Azzurri squad that upset the odds to capture the World Cup and Roma are attempting to do the same in Europe’s elite club competition.

“We have the same unity within the group as the national team and the same mentality,” said Perrotta.

“Now we hope to get the same results as Italy did at the World Cup.”

The quarter-final ties against the Red Devils has a special significance for the 29-year-old, who was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, just a half-hour’s drive from Old Trafford.

“When we beat Lyon I said I wanted to face Man United in the quarter finals,” he said.

“It is a unique tie for me for many reasons.

“I will get the opportunity to face a great team and play against the best players.

“Most of all, it will give my parents and me the opportunity to return to a city where we shared so many fond memories.”

Perrotta will be hoping to leave Manchester in a week’s time with a smile, but in the meantime, he is aware of the challenge his team face against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at the Stadio Olimpico.

“We know that we face the team that play the best football in Europe,” Perrotta continued.

“Man United have players that play above average and it will be down to us to try to limit their quality.”

Perrotta nevertheless remains optimistic and for good reason as Roma remain unbeaten in the Eternal City in European competition since December 2004.

The Giallorossi, who are second in Serie A behind unbeaten Inter Milan, go into the clash against the Premiership leaders in inspired mode.

Few could have anticipated that Luciano Spalletti’s men would end Lyon’s 18-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League following their 2-0 triumph in the previous round, to qualify to the last eight of the competition for the first time in 23 years.

“I think in that game we proved that we can compete against anyone,” said Perrotta.

“I believe our victory in Lyon has given us more confidence.

“The pressure we face against Manchester is the same pressure we faced at Lyon and we hope can repeat the same performance.”