Wayne Rooney hailed strike partner Carlos Tevez after the Argentine came off the bench to fire a vital away goal in the Reds' 1-1 draw against Lyon.
Tevez entered the fray on 65 minutes and blasted the ball home three minutes from time to earn United a share of the spoils in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
"Carlos came on and did what he does best - getting on the ball and creating chances and thankfully he took one of them," Rooney told Sky Sports.
"It's always crucial to get an away goal and 1-1 is a lot better than losing 1-0 or even 0-0. It's a crucial goal to take back to Old Trafford.
"I felt we controlled the game for most of it. They had a few chances and scored a good goal, but we showed good courage to fight back.
"Lyon are a good team and we know we have to concentrate 100 per cent to beat them at Old Trafford."
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Boss praises fighting spirit
Until the referee blows for full-time, United are never beaten.
That was the message from Sir Alex Ferguson after the Reds scored another late goal in Europe to wrestle advantage away from Lyon in United’s Champions League last 16 tie.
“It was absolutely vital,” Sir Alex said of Carlos Tevez’s 87th-minute leveller. “Time and time again we rescue games or score late winners and it’s purely down to the players’ determination to do something about it.”
On this occasion, Tevez’s strike cancelled out Karim Benzema’s opener, which looked to have given the home side a valuable win ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday 4 March. Instead, Lyon now face an uphill battle to progress to the quarter finals.
“We showed a lot of determination to try and get back into the game,” Sir Alex told Sky Sports.
“We lost a goal out of nothing, really, but it showed the qualities of the boy Benzema. It was a marvellous strike but I thought we were in complete control at the time.
“Lyon’s goal knocked us back a bit and then they defended very well and made it difficult for us.”
Despite mounting pressure, the Reds struggled to create clear-cut chances until the United boss turned to the bench and introduced Tevez and Nani.
“I thought Nani provided a real threat for us with his pace and crossing. And of course Carlos Tevez scored a great equaliser.
“We weren’t magnificent but it was a decent performance and I think we deserved the result. When you’re away from home and 1-0 down with a few minutes to play then you count your blessings when you get back into the match.”
Of course, it’s not the first time United have scored a late goal in Europe.
“There was a real urgency from us to get back into the game and I think we’re at our best when we’re up against it,” added the Reds' manager.
“It’s now a matter of getting a good performance at Old Trafford. We have a big advantage with the away goal and I’m sure there’ll be an electric atmosphere. We’re looking forward to the return leg.” Read more...
That was the message from Sir Alex Ferguson after the Reds scored another late goal in Europe to wrestle advantage away from Lyon in United’s Champions League last 16 tie.
“It was absolutely vital,” Sir Alex said of Carlos Tevez’s 87th-minute leveller. “Time and time again we rescue games or score late winners and it’s purely down to the players’ determination to do something about it.”
On this occasion, Tevez’s strike cancelled out Karim Benzema’s opener, which looked to have given the home side a valuable win ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday 4 March. Instead, Lyon now face an uphill battle to progress to the quarter finals.
“We showed a lot of determination to try and get back into the game,” Sir Alex told Sky Sports.
“We lost a goal out of nothing, really, but it showed the qualities of the boy Benzema. It was a marvellous strike but I thought we were in complete control at the time.
“Lyon’s goal knocked us back a bit and then they defended very well and made it difficult for us.”
Despite mounting pressure, the Reds struggled to create clear-cut chances until the United boss turned to the bench and introduced Tevez and Nani.
“I thought Nani provided a real threat for us with his pace and crossing. And of course Carlos Tevez scored a great equaliser.
“We weren’t magnificent but it was a decent performance and I think we deserved the result. When you’re away from home and 1-0 down with a few minutes to play then you count your blessings when you get back into the match.”
Of course, it’s not the first time United have scored a late goal in Europe.
“There was a real urgency from us to get back into the game and I think we’re at our best when we’re up against it,” added the Reds' manager.
“It’s now a matter of getting a good performance at Old Trafford. We have a big advantage with the away goal and I’m sure there’ll be an electric atmosphere. We’re looking forward to the return leg.” Read more...
Boss expects tough test
Sir Alex Ferguson is reading nothing into Lyon’s shock defeat against Le Mans last weekend, insisting that he expects a thorough examination from the Ligue 1 champions when they host United on Wednesday night.
Alain Perrin rested a host of his top players in readiness for United’s visit, and Sir Alex is well aware that his side are up against tough opposition in a side that has won their domestic league for the last six seasons.
“I’ve seen some parts of it (Lyon’s 1-0 defeat at Le Mans), just what we need for the team,” he told his pre-match press conference. “Obviously it was a disappointment for Lyon, but I saw the game last Saturday against Sochaux, and we know it’s a big match for both teams.
“It’ll be a difficult game, but I think it’s a good atmosphere and the pitch is good, so I think it will be a really good match.”
United go into Wednesday’s second round, first leg tie on the back of a thumping FA Cup win over Arsenal, but that match is dead and buried according to Sir Alex, whose sights are firmly set on posting a positive result in France.
“We haven’t discussed the Arsenal match with the players because we have a big match tomorrow,” he said. “It’s normal. We don’t look back, we look forward. Today’s the day, tomorrow’s the big day.” Read more...
Alain Perrin rested a host of his top players in readiness for United’s visit, and Sir Alex is well aware that his side are up against tough opposition in a side that has won their domestic league for the last six seasons.
“I’ve seen some parts of it (Lyon’s 1-0 defeat at Le Mans), just what we need for the team,” he told his pre-match press conference. “Obviously it was a disappointment for Lyon, but I saw the game last Saturday against Sochaux, and we know it’s a big match for both teams.
“It’ll be a difficult game, but I think it’s a good atmosphere and the pitch is good, so I think it will be a really good match.”
United go into Wednesday’s second round, first leg tie on the back of a thumping FA Cup win over Arsenal, but that match is dead and buried according to Sir Alex, whose sights are firmly set on posting a positive result in France.
“We haven’t discussed the Arsenal match with the players because we have a big match tomorrow,” he said. “It’s normal. We don’t look back, we look forward. Today’s the day, tomorrow’s the big day.” Read more...
Giggs joins centurions
Ryan Giggs will become only the eighth player to make 100 Champions League appearances in Wednesday night’s second round clash with Lyon, and Sir Alex Ferguson admits everyone at United is proud of the veteran winger.
The 34-year-old was rested for the Reds’ FA Cup battering of Arsenal last Saturday, and is expected to follow in the footsteps of Raul, Roberto Carlos, Paolo Maldini, David Beckham, Oliver Kahn, Luis Figo and Clarence Seedorf in passing the century mark.
“There are only a few players who will reach that milestone in European football,” admitted Sir Alex at his pre-match press conference. “It’s because of his ability, his longevity, how he prepares himself to have a good lifestyle, and obviously being at a successful club.
“For me, Ryan has been an absolute model in his time with us. Even at 34 years of age we expect big, big things of him. Obviously we don’t play him in every game, but that’s natural for someone of that age. We want to play him in the games that really, really matter to our football club, and one of them is tomorrow.
“Ryan, throughout his time with us, has always reserved his best performances for the biggest occasions. I’ve said many times about occasions at Old Trafford and the atmosphere, and the great nights we’ve had there. They could only happen because the right type of players are playing on that stage, and Ryan has produced many great moments for us. So it’s a great occasion for him, we’re all proud of him.”
Patrice Evra is likely to start behind Giggs on United’s left side at the Stade Gerland, and the French defender admits that he is delighted for his team-mate to join such an exclusive club.
“I think it is a privilege to play with Ryan Giggs,” he said. “For me I just say thanks to Giggsy because I’ve learnt a lot of things with him, he’s a great player and I’m very happy for him.”
Giggs is likely to have familiar company in the 100 club sooner rather than later, with Paul Scholes set to join Gary Neville on 98 appearances if he features against Lyon. Read more...
The 34-year-old was rested for the Reds’ FA Cup battering of Arsenal last Saturday, and is expected to follow in the footsteps of Raul, Roberto Carlos, Paolo Maldini, David Beckham, Oliver Kahn, Luis Figo and Clarence Seedorf in passing the century mark.
“There are only a few players who will reach that milestone in European football,” admitted Sir Alex at his pre-match press conference. “It’s because of his ability, his longevity, how he prepares himself to have a good lifestyle, and obviously being at a successful club.
“For me, Ryan has been an absolute model in his time with us. Even at 34 years of age we expect big, big things of him. Obviously we don’t play him in every game, but that’s natural for someone of that age. We want to play him in the games that really, really matter to our football club, and one of them is tomorrow.
“Ryan, throughout his time with us, has always reserved his best performances for the biggest occasions. I’ve said many times about occasions at Old Trafford and the atmosphere, and the great nights we’ve had there. They could only happen because the right type of players are playing on that stage, and Ryan has produced many great moments for us. So it’s a great occasion for him, we’re all proud of him.”
Patrice Evra is likely to start behind Giggs on United’s left side at the Stade Gerland, and the French defender admits that he is delighted for his team-mate to join such an exclusive club.
“I think it is a privilege to play with Ryan Giggs,” he said. “For me I just say thanks to Giggsy because I’ve learnt a lot of things with him, he’s a great player and I’m very happy for him.”
Giggs is likely to have familiar company in the 100 club sooner rather than later, with Paul Scholes set to join Gary Neville on 98 appearances if he features against Lyon. Read more...
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