ITALY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Manchester United begin preparations in Rome for Champions League final

Record ID: 336246

  • Title: ITALY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Manchester United begin preparations in Rome for Champions League final
  • Date: 27th May 2009
  • Summary: FANS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED FAN, DAVID, SAYING: "I think we'll win, I think we'll win comfortably, I think we'll hammer them 3 or 4-nil."
  • Embargoed: 11th June 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA12DSVDUTCFNDPGSAYGHRSS5LP
  • Story Text: Looking relaxed and smiling, Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson left the team hotel in Rome on Tuesday (May 26) to a cheer from hundreds of fans waiting outside.
    Ferguson led his team to the coach waiting outside for a quick training session and acclimatisation to the Rome heat.
    Hordes of fans are expected to arrive for the sell-out 67,000 final and Rome police will begin a huge security operation later with a partial alcohol ban in force in some areas of the city. Trouble has marred United visits to play AS Roma in recent years.
    Close to the Colosseum where the Champions League trophy is on view in a glass case, hundreds of fans from both United and Barcelona are gathering to take a look at the various stands in the area.
    "I think we'll win, I think we'll win comfortably, I think we'll hammer them 3 or 4-nil," said David, a confident Manchester United fan.
    "We came here to win it and we are going to win it and we will take the cup home," said an equally confident Barcelona supporter.
    All eyes will be on Rome's Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night for the 1845gmt kick-off to see whether the skills of United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca's Lionel Messi will produce "the dream final" as the game has been labelled by fans.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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