Sir Alex was in attendance at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night (Picture: Twitter / Roma)

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands as Roma pulled off a stunning comeback against Barcelona in the Champions League after being invited to the Stadio Olimpico as a good luck charm.

The former Manchester United manager declined to stay in the North West while two of his fiercest rivals, Liverpool and Man City, duked it out for a place in the semi-finals and instead flew to Italy.

Ironically, Ferguson’s visit to the Italian capital came on the 11-year anniversary of United’s famous 7-1 victory over Roma.

The moment Roma were confirmed semi finalists. The stadium erupts! Spot Sir Alex Ferguson #CarolInItaly ✨⚽️?? pic.twitter.com/aiROIB6KoM — Carol Tshabalala (@SimplyCarol8) April 10, 2018

He was invited to watch the match by Roma president Jim Pallotta, who knows Ferguson well having previously attended a Boston Celtics basketball game with the veteran Scot.




Pallotta, Ferguson and former Italy and AC Milan legend Paolo Madini all met at the Hotel de Russie before the match, and the American was delighted with his decision to invite Sir Alex to Italy.

With Ferguson watching on, Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas all netted on an historic night, and Pallotta joked to Italian reporters afterwards: ‘That’s why I brought Sir Alex Ferguson, to bring good luck!’

Sir Alex mingled with Roma’s victorious players after the match and congratulated Rome’s most famous son, Francesco Totti, on the result.

Ferguson could also be seen smiling and cheering as the full-time whistle was blown and the Stadio Olimpico erupted.

Roma pulled off an incredible comeback to knock Barcelona out of the Champions League (Getty)

Many Roma fans are already hoping to persuade Sir Alex to attend Roma’s next match in the competition, with the Champions League semi-final draw taking place on Friday.

Liverpool’s participation is already confirmed, with Juventus and Real Madrid and Sevilla and Bayern Munich facing off on Wednesday night to seal the final two spots in the draw.