World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has not ruled out Roma's chances of progressing to the Champions League semi-finals, but believes the Giallorossi are up against the world's best team in Manchester United and the world's best player in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Roma, who will be without injured talisman Francesco Totti, must overturn a 2-0 deficit tomorrow night. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in last week's first leg gave United a comfortable advantage.
"If Roma have luck on their side to score an early goal and if the players give 150 per cent who knows," said Lippi in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. "But Manchester United is the strongest team in the world and Cristiano Ronaldo is the strongest player on the planet."
Roma have already pulled out several surprises in Europe's elite club competition in recent seasons.
They eliminated Lyon to reach the last eight of the tournament last campaign with a 2-0 away triumph, having been held to a goalless draw at home, while last month, they knocked out nine-time winners Real Madrid having won 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"There is hope," said Lippi. "Considering what the Giallorossi showed against Lyon and Madrid. But without Totti other players like Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta will have to step up."
De Rossi already showed his leadership skills in Saturday's Serie A game as he coolly struck from the penalty spot to give second-place Roma a 3-2 triumph against Genoa.
