Champions League: Man Utd edged out in seven-goal thriller against Copenhagen
Manchester United were dealt a major blow to their UEFA Champions League hopes as they fell to an agonising 3-4 defeat against Copenhagen.
Stephan El Sharaawy scored a memorable first-half brace to fire Roma to a memorable 3-0 win over Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League etie and the Italian winger was purring in delight after the Giallarossi’s triumph at the Stadio Olimpico.
“It’s the kind of night that you never forget, for the rest of your life,” El Shaarawy told the Roma website.
Don’t miss: Champions League: Roma put Chelsea to the sword
The Italian winger struck a wondrous half-volley to get the hosts going in the first minute and doubled his tally for the night with a deft finish in the 36th minute as a hapless Chelsea side were put to the sword.
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A second-half goal from Diego Perotti completed the scoreline to put Roma on top of Group C.
“This is a special night – it was my first brace in the Champions League, plus beating Chelsea 3-0 doesn’t happen every day. This win means a lot to us,” the 25-year-old gushed.
Sharaawy burst on to the scene in the 2011-12 season with AC Milan but was unable to nail a regular spot with the Rossoneri and after spending a successful half-season (2016 season on lonan) with Roma, signed permanently for a fee of €13 million.
He added: “It means a great deal [to go top of the group]. When the draw was made, there was some doubt surrounding us. But we went to London and played a really good game, at a tough ground. Now we have an important game before the international break – we’re purely focused on that.”
Nicknamed Il Faraone (The Pharaoh) due to his Egyptian roots, Shaarawy has been playing some of his best football of late and Roma’s two-goal hero admitted it’s been a special birthday week for him.
“Special is the right word,” the winger, who turned 23 on October 27, admitted.
“It was my birthday – it’s been an intense week, full of excitement. I’m really happy,” he added.
The Giallorossi are topping their Champions League Group with eight points from four games, a point ahead of second-placed Chelsea and are in pole position to top their group with two games remaining.
They face Atletico Madrid (away) on November 22 before concluding their group-stage campaign on December 6 when they host Qarabag FK.
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