Roma realise they face tough task in Euro bid.

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ROMA are under no illusions as to the task they face as the Giallorossi seek to overturn a two-goal deficit against Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight. The Italians were overturned 2-0 in the Champions League quarter final first leg at the Stadio Olimpico last week and Sir Alex Ferguson's side are the overwhelming favourites ahead of the decider.

And Roma midfielder Rodrigo Taddei knows it will require a superhuman effort for his side to turn around the tie and stay in Europe's premier club competition.A But Taddei insists progressing to the last four is the only option for Luciano Spalletti's troops. "Those of us who have come to Manchester have to be focused and try to give not 100 per cent but 200 per cent in order for us to progress, something which is our aim," said Taddei. "We are aware of how difficult our task will be. We have a negative result against us and we face a great side away from home."

But the Italians, who have managed to cut Inter Milan's once dominant lead at the top of Serie A to just four points, will have to put in the huge effort without key man Francesco Totti. The club skipper and talisman has failed to recover from the thigh injury that also kept him out of the first leg. Totti's season has been marred by injuries - the playmaker has missed 13 games in total - and Taddei revealed the rest of the team are becoming accustomed to playing without their top scorer.

"Totti is a top player and this cannot be denied," he admitted. "But we have had to play without him already this campaign and we have taken important results." Taddei, who scored the opener in Roma's 3-2 league win against Genoa on Saturday, is confident his team can succeed without the former Italy international.

"It is understandable that others may find in Totti's absence an excuse for defeat," he said. "But we know that the defeat against Manchester United in the opening leg came from the fact we didn't make use of our chances to score."

Meanwhile, Ferguson insists his side will not be complacent in spite of their seemingly comfortable two-goal cushion. Given that United hammered Roma 7-1 at Old Trafford last season and still managed to beat the Italians 1-0 when playing poorly in this season's group stage, it is hard to see United losing tonight.

But Ferguson knows that impression could breed complacency and he has alerted his squad to the importance of putting the tie beyond Roma's reach.

With Sunday's Premier League clash against Arsenal looming in the background, the last thing the United manager wants is for his players to be forced to go through the physically draining experience of playing extra-time.

"In European football a goal changes the situation quickly, I wouldn't want to start the game against Roma and after ten minutes have lost a goal. They can sit and wait, then hope for a 2-0 result and go for extra time. I think we have to get into a real mode of making sure we play our way and make sure it's a difficult night for them," added the Scot. "One goal for us would finish it I think."

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