Why was Alex Ferguson present in the stands when Roma eliminated Barca?
The former Man Utd coach arrived in Rome (Italy) on the day his old team crushed their opponents with a score of 7-1 11 years ago.
Alex Ferguson was present in the stands at Olimpico Stadium on the evening of April 10, in the match where AS Roma beat Barca 3-0 and won the right to enter the Champions League semi-finals despite losing 1-4 in the first leg.
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Alex Ferguson in the stands of Olimpico Stadium on the evening of April 10. Photo:EPA. |
According to the newspaperSports News(Italy), Ferguson's trip came at the invitation of Roma President James Pallotta. This received special attention on Italian Twitter, because it coincided with the day Roma suffered a 1-7 defeat in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Man Utd in the 2006-2007 season.
SheetThe Sun(England) added that the former Scottish coach attended the match at the request of Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach asked his predecessor to watch Samuel Umtiti, the Barca centre-back who is considered a top transfer target.of Man Utdin summer 2018.
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Umtiti (left) had a match to forget against Roma. Photo:AP. |
Ferguson appeared with his wife, Cathy. However, in contrast to the former Man Utd coach's relaxed appearance, his wife looked uncomfortable, and wasThe Sundescribed as "having the features of Barca's reserve players".
Ferguson's goal seemed to be unfulfilled as Umtiti had a game to forget. The Frenchman's defence let the Roma striker slip through three times. Barca were eliminated, while Man Utd will continue to hesitate in activating the former Lyon player's $74 million contract termination clause.