Italian pride rests on Romans

The "resurgence" of Italian football (or whatever you call it) has been fairly meek in the Champions League in the last two years. Granted, AC Milan won it last year, but they were struggling horribly in the league and this year they surrendered quite easily to an Arsenal side not at their best. Inter fizzled out without much of a spark over two legs with Liverpool, although they were punished in both games by harsh, early red cards.

The only remaining Italian side this year is Roma. The giallorossi are paired up in the quarter-finals against Manchester United, whom they lost to at this exact stage last year - 8-3 on aggregate.

They've also already played United twice in the group stage, drawing 1-1 and losing 1-0, so Alex Ferguson's boys will present tried and tested opposition.

The pride at stake will be tremendous, and considering that it's a bigger issue for Romans than most, Roma will be really fired up for next week's ties. The added spice in this tie is that Roma are the only Italian club remaining, and that means that for once they will have the media behind them, as well as the more "neutral" supporters.

As ever, Francesco Totti will be key, but the most important aspect to combating Man United will be the defence, and the addition of Brazil international Juan last summer was very shrewd. Calm and collecte, Juan is easily one of the world's best and most underrated centre-halves. Along with Mexes and assistance from Panucci and De Rossi, he will have to mark and harry Cristiano Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney out of the game.

Unfortunately 'keeper Doni remains as suspect as ever - clearly capable of brilliant shot-stopping, he amazes time and time again with his ability for pure, unbridled sloppiness.