Ronaldo's Euro 'protection' warning

Updated 08.55 Mon Apr 02 2007
Keywords: Roma, Premiership, Champions League, Manchester United, football, sport, Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has been warned ahead of Manchester United's trip to AS Roma in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final that he cannot expect "protection" from the referee.

While the Portuguese winger has been in the form of his life this season, Roma defender Christian Panucci, who had a brief stint in the Premiership at Chelsea, has offered him some advice.

"Ronaldo's class is unquestionable. But I believe he abuses his dribbling talents and always exaggerates his falls" - Christian Panucci

Panucci said: "Ronaldo's class is unquestionable. But I believe he abuses his dribbling talents and always exaggerates his falls. A lot will depend on the referee but in Roma Ronaldo will not be daring enough to do it because we will not fall for his tricks."

And Roma's Brazilian striker Mancini has also been quoted telling a newspaper: "I've watched Premier League matches and he is protected by referees. I don't think he will be on Wednesday."

Sir Alex Ferguson's resources are being stretched after Nemanja Vidic added to his defensive woes meaning that 18-year-old Belfast-born Craig Cathcart is set to be on the substitutes' bench at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils, who are on course to repeat their 1999 Treble achievement, are bidding to reach the semi-finals of European club football's most prestigious competition for the first time since 2002.

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