United are Champions of Europe for the third time after beating Chelsea in dramatic fashion... 6-5 on penalties.
Edwin van der Sar was ultimately the man who made the Reds' dream come true when he saved the Blues' seventh spot-kick taken by Nicolas Anelka. John Terry also missed in the shoot-out, when a goal with his kick would have won the final for Chelsea.
Earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo had put the Reds in front with a first-half header before Frank Lampard equalised in first-half injury time.
The debate over who would feature in United’s attack was an intriguing one. Would Sir Alex Ferguson opt to pitch Wayne Rooney up front on his own via a 4-5-1 formation? Or would he go 4-3-3 in a bid to combat Chelsea’s three-man midfield? The answer was neither. Instead the United manager chose to start with Owen Hargreaves down the right – who had so impressed in that position in the victory over Roma in the quarter-final home leg - Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes anchored the midfield, with Cristiano Ronaldo taking up the left flank position. Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez were up front. It was in fact the first time the attacking six had ever played together.
Sir Alex had said in the build-up to the game that choosing his substitutes would prove to be a tougher exercise that selecting his starting eleven. Predictably there were a couple of notable absentees including skipper Gary Neville and Louis Saha, although both have spent much of the campaign troubled by injury. The biggest shock was Ji-sung Park, who had worked so tirelessly to help the Reds book their place in Moscow against Barcelona. Of the travelling squad, goalkeeper Tom Heaton, defender Gerard Pique and young striker Danny Wellbeck were the others who missed out.
The Luzhniki Stadium was a sea of colour and noise before kick-off with the travelling Reds in typically good voice. There wasn’t too much for both sets of supporters to shout about early on; as expected the opening exchanges were very tight with neither side giving an inch.
United looked the more livelier outfit with Owen Hargreaves in particular seeing a lot of the ball. He sent in a couple of decent crosses in from the right in the opening 10 minutes and in the 16th minute he went very close to getting on the end of Ronaldo’s excellent left-wing centre. Unfortunately, for the England international it was a tad too high.
Ronaldo was involved again a minute later, lofting a great ball over the top to the onrushing Patrice Evra on the left. But his cross was well headed clear by John Terry.
United were temporarily down to ten men whilst Paul Scholes received treatment for a bloodied nose after an accidental collision with Claude Makelele – for which both were booked.
That left United short in midfield and when Carlos Tevez lost possession in 23rd minute, Chelsea looked to make the one-man advantage count. Frank Lampard floated a cross towards Didier Drobga at the back post, but thankfully Nemanja Vidic was on hand to head clear.
Three minutes later United took the lead through that boy Ronaldo. Neat play between Scholes and Wes Brown after a throw-in on the right flank allowed the defender the time to pick out a cross for Ronaldo at the back post who expertly directed his header past a statue-like Petr Cech for his 42nd goal of the season. Can’t do it on the big stage, eh?!
United were in the ascendancy and four minutes later Ronaldo took flight for another header from another Brown centre, but no-one was there to get on the end of his knock-down.
Chelsea, who had so far offered little in attack, went close to drawing level on 34 minutes. Drogba headed Lampard’s deep cross to the far post, back across goal. Rio Ferdinand dithered for a just second with Michael Ballack breathing down his neck. His presence forced the United skipper into heading towards his own goal, but Edwin van der Sar was alert, beating the effort away at point blank range.
United broke forward immediately from the resulting corner, Wayne Rooney finding Ronaldo with an exquisite 40 yard cross-field pass. The winger controlled it brilliantly and delivered a perfect cross onto Carlos Tevez’s head. Cech blocked the diving effort from the Argentine and was also on hand to parry Michael Carrick’s follow-up shot from the edge of the box.
Ronaldo headed the subsequent corner over, but United were clearly growing in confidence and Ronaldo in particular was giving stand-in right-back Michael Essien a torrid time.
Two minutes before the break Hargreaves won possession, broke forward and fed Rooney on the right. He fizzed in an early daisy-cutter which evaded Makelele at the front post. Tevez was waiting just behind him but just wasn’t able to poke the ball goalwards
There was no letup in the action but this time it was at Chelsea’s end. Ferdinand was booked for a foul on Lampard right on the edge of the box, but Ballack curled the subsequent free-kick over Van der Sar’s crossbar much to the delight of the jubilant United fans behind the goal.
That jubilation turned to deflation right on the stroke of half-time when Chelsea drew level. Ferdinand’s clearance fell to Michael Essien, marauding forward from right-back. His shot cannoned off both Vidic and Ferdinand before dropping to Frank Lampard in the area. Van der Sar raced to meet him but slipped at the vital moment, allowing the Chelsea midfielder to side-foot home. It was a real blow for United and not what they had deserved.
You wondered how that sucker punch would affect United, if at all It didn’t look to have done too much damage when Patrice Evra powered in the area on 54 minutes and lofted a cross towards Rooney, Tevez and Hargreaves. But it was too high for the trio.
Chelsea began to take a grip of proceedings soon after. Essien broke forward down the right and, after holding off the attentions of Ronaldo, cut inside and hit a powerful left foot drive. Van der Sar slipped, as he had done for the goal (dodgy pitch, anyone?) but thankfully for United the shot flew over the bar.
United’s back line were on red alert thereafter - Vidic brilliantly headed Ashley Cole’s cross away from danger as Drogba lay in wait, before Ferdinand twice the same as the Blues’ attacking barrage continued. Michael Carrick then hooked Florent Malouda’s inviting free-kick away from danger.
Having weathered the Chelsea storm, United looked to get things going again in attack. In the 72nd minutes, Rooney, who had been somewhat quiet up to this point, picked up possession and found Hargreaves on the right. He laid the ball into Carrick’s path, but a Chelsea body dived to block.
The Reds breathed a sigh of relief 12 minutes from time when Drogba arced a left-foot shot against van der Sar’s left-hand post with the Dutchman well beaten.
The Ivorian Coast international was making a nuisance of himself and nearly got on the end of Ashley Cole’s cross after Ferdinand had slipped – a common occurrence for both sets if players after the break – but the United defence were on hand to clear.
Eight minutes from time Tevez curled an effort wide of Cech’s right-hand post, but the Chelsea stopper looked to have it covered.
The half chances were all falling to Chelsea, who had dominated the second period. Drogba went very close to steering Joe Cole’s low centre home three minutes from time, but blasted wide.
Ryan Giggs entered the fray to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time appearance record soon after. But that was to be the last notable action of the 90 minutes as the match entered extra-time.
Two minutes in some intricate passing between Carrick, Giggs and Rooney almost put Tevez in, but a Chelsea defender managed to deflect the ball through to Cech.
Having drawn Chelsea level earlier, Frank Lampard went close to giving them the lead two minutes later, spinning and clipping a shot from inside the area which rebounded back off the bar and away.
United went just as close in the 11th minute of added time. Rooney fired a cross-field pass f towards Ronaldo. Essien intercepted but his clearance dropped to Evra who burst into the area, before pulling the ball back to Giggs. It was all set for the record-breaker to score the winner, but John Terry cleared his shot off the line.
Six minutes into the second period, Vidic upended Anelka to hand Chelsea a free-kick a dangerous area some 20 yards out on the right edge of the box. Thankfully, Drogba blasted wide.
The Chelsea striker was at the centre of the match’s most controversial moment five minutes from time. Chelsea put the ball out of play in their own half with one of their players down suffering with cramp, but the Blues were irked when Tevez only returned the ball by knocking it out again in a similar area. A melee ensued with virtually every player getting involved. Most notably Drogba and Vidic swapped exchanges with the Ivorian slapping the Serb. Referee Michel Lubos wasted no time in producing the red card for Drogba. Tevez and Ballack also went into the book, but just with yellows.
A further yellow card, for a foul by Essien, was to be the last noteworthy event before the game headed for penalties. There United were to have their glory but not before Ronaldo had his penalty saved by Petr Cech, to give Chelsea a brief advantage. When Terry squandered this, Anderson scored to level - then Kalou and Giggs both netted before Anelka stepped up for the final decisive spot-kick, saved superbly by Edwin van der Sar.
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
United: Kings of Europe!
Edwin van der Sar was the hero as United were crowned champions of Europe for the third time after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Forty years after winning their first European Cup final at Wembley in 1968, and 50 years since the Munich tragedy, fate played a big part as a dramatic Champions League final went to penalties.
After Cristiano Ronaldo had missed his kick, John Terry had the chance to win the cup, but slipped on the run up and his kick hit the post. Nicolas Anelka's sudden death penalty was then saved by van der Sar, sparking jubilant scenes among United’s rain-soaked travelling contingent.
Cristiano Ronaldo had given United a 26th minute lead with a header from Wes Brown’s cross in a first half which the Reds dominated. Carlos Tevez had two clear chances to put United 2-0 ahead, but his efforts were well saved by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, who also denied Michael Carrick.
Chelsea gained a foothold in the game in the final few minutes of the first half, and equalised with almost the last kick of the half, when a deflected Michael Essien shot fell kindly for Frank Lampard, who beat Rio Ferdinand and Van der Sar.
The Londoners dominated the second half and Didier Drogba struck the post, before Frank Lampard did likewise in extra time. Ryan Giggs, making a record breaking appearance for the Reds, spurned United’s best chance.
In the second period of extra time, Drogba was red carded for a slap on Nemanja Vidic, but despite the one man advantage, the Reds couldn’t make the breakthrough on a heavy pitch, and so the final went to penalties.
After Tevez and Carrick had scored for United and Ballack and Belletti for Chelsea , Ronaldo hesistated in his run up and shot straight at Cech. Terry could have won it for Chelsea, but in the end it fell to United’s Dutch keeper to complete a memorable and emotional night for Sir Alex's side.
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Forty years after winning their first European Cup final at Wembley in 1968, and 50 years since the Munich tragedy, fate played a big part as a dramatic Champions League final went to penalties.
After Cristiano Ronaldo had missed his kick, John Terry had the chance to win the cup, but slipped on the run up and his kick hit the post. Nicolas Anelka's sudden death penalty was then saved by van der Sar, sparking jubilant scenes among United’s rain-soaked travelling contingent.
Cristiano Ronaldo had given United a 26th minute lead with a header from Wes Brown’s cross in a first half which the Reds dominated. Carlos Tevez had two clear chances to put United 2-0 ahead, but his efforts were well saved by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, who also denied Michael Carrick.
Chelsea gained a foothold in the game in the final few minutes of the first half, and equalised with almost the last kick of the half, when a deflected Michael Essien shot fell kindly for Frank Lampard, who beat Rio Ferdinand and Van der Sar.
The Londoners dominated the second half and Didier Drogba struck the post, before Frank Lampard did likewise in extra time. Ryan Giggs, making a record breaking appearance for the Reds, spurned United’s best chance.
In the second period of extra time, Drogba was red carded for a slap on Nemanja Vidic, but despite the one man advantage, the Reds couldn’t make the breakthrough on a heavy pitch, and so the final went to penalties.
After Tevez and Carrick had scored for United and Ballack and Belletti for Chelsea , Ronaldo hesistated in his run up and shot straight at Cech. Terry could have won it for Chelsea, but in the end it fell to United’s Dutch keeper to complete a memorable and emotional night for Sir Alex's side.
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Manchester United Vs. Chelsea Highlights Video Clip
Manchester U. * [1 - 1] Chelsea
26' [1 - 0] C. Ronaldo
45' [1 - 1] F. Lampard
penalty shoot-out : [6 - 5]
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26' [1 - 0] C. Ronaldo
45' [1 - 1] F. Lampard
penalty shoot-out : [6 - 5]
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Sunday, May 18, 2008
Rooney determined to emulate Liverpool
Wayne Rooney is anxious for Manchester United to claim bragging rights over Liverpool and win the Champions League.
The England striker has been hurting for the past three years after Rafael Benitez delivered the trophy to Anfield following a remarkable victory against AC Milan.
Now Rooney will get his chance on Wednesday in Moscow when United face Chelsea in the first all-English showdown in the final of Europe's top club competition.
It has been a long wait for the 22-year-old, born in Liverpool and raised as an Everton supporter.
He said: 'It is difficult when you see one of your rivals winning things. When Liverpool took the trophy, it was hard to take.
'Because they haven't really been challenging for the league in the last few years, they've had chances to rest players before big Champions League games and that helped them.
'By Liverpool winning the Champions League, it's made us want to win it even more.'
Rooney gets great pleasure teasing his pals from the Kop.
One such scenario unfolded nine years ago when United won the European Cup with a famous last-gasp victory against Bayern Munich in Barcelona.
He explained: 'A few of us watched the match and most of my mates were Liverpool fans.
'It was just me and another pal who were Everton supporters. We wanted United to win and obviously they (my mates) didn't.
'When they won, I was really happy and we were winding the Liverpool fans up.
'I remember listening to the radio after the game and they were speaking to a lot of fans around Manchester.
'The atmosphere there sounded brilliant, so hopefully I can be involved in something like that this year.'
That was the last time United won the trophy - they also lifted it in 1968.
Forty years on from Sir Matt Busby's triumph and 50 years after the Munich air disaster, the weight of history hangs heavily in the air.
Rooney, however, is inspired by the past, not fazed by it.
He said: 'I don't think it will be a burden, we just need to go out there and try and enjoy ourselves.
'If we enjoy playing, I'm sure we will do well. If we go out there thinking a bit negative then it becomes harder.
'The players are well educated in the history of the club. When you walk around the training ground, you see the players from 1958, 1968 all the way through to today.'
Rooney weighed in with 18 goals in a season that saw United retain their Premier League title.
While he was widely applauded for his work ethic and team play, he insists there is room for improvement.
He said: 'I can score a few more goals, possibly with my left foot and a some more headers. I keep working on all different things, my passing, my fitness and scoring.
'I've changed my game a little bit. Instead of playing in the hole or off one forward, I've mainly been the striker looking to get in behind. I've enjoyed doing it this year - to be honest a lot more than I thought I would. It has brought me a few goals in different games.'
Led by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, United will fly out to Russia tomorrow and Rooney is desperate for the match to get under way.
He said: 'It's a horrible feeling waiting for the final. I'd like to go to bed tonight and wake up on Wednesday. It's a bit like Christmas when you're a kid, so I just can't wait.
'I've been playing FIFA on X-Box with my mates. My girlfriend's not too happy with me, but it keeps me occupied. I've played in three cup finals, winning one and losing two, so hopefully I can even that out.'
Rooney has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to stay and continue their prolific partnership.
'I hope the partnership will continue for years. Ronaldo is a great player and it will be brilliant if we can keep him at the club for as long as possible. He's an unbelievable player,' Rooney told reporters.
'What he's done for United in the last few years is brilliant and it makes you work hard.
'For Ronaldo to score those goals is helping the team. I've got no problem if he scores 60 goals in a season and I don't get anywhere near that,' added the England striker who has struck 18 times this term.
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The England striker has been hurting for the past three years after Rafael Benitez delivered the trophy to Anfield following a remarkable victory against AC Milan.
Now Rooney will get his chance on Wednesday in Moscow when United face Chelsea in the first all-English showdown in the final of Europe's top club competition.
It has been a long wait for the 22-year-old, born in Liverpool and raised as an Everton supporter.
He said: 'It is difficult when you see one of your rivals winning things. When Liverpool took the trophy, it was hard to take.
'Because they haven't really been challenging for the league in the last few years, they've had chances to rest players before big Champions League games and that helped them.
'By Liverpool winning the Champions League, it's made us want to win it even more.'
Rooney gets great pleasure teasing his pals from the Kop.
One such scenario unfolded nine years ago when United won the European Cup with a famous last-gasp victory against Bayern Munich in Barcelona.
He explained: 'A few of us watched the match and most of my mates were Liverpool fans.
'It was just me and another pal who were Everton supporters. We wanted United to win and obviously they (my mates) didn't.
'When they won, I was really happy and we were winding the Liverpool fans up.
'I remember listening to the radio after the game and they were speaking to a lot of fans around Manchester.
'The atmosphere there sounded brilliant, so hopefully I can be involved in something like that this year.'
That was the last time United won the trophy - they also lifted it in 1968.
Forty years on from Sir Matt Busby's triumph and 50 years after the Munich air disaster, the weight of history hangs heavily in the air.
Rooney, however, is inspired by the past, not fazed by it.
He said: 'I don't think it will be a burden, we just need to go out there and try and enjoy ourselves.
'If we enjoy playing, I'm sure we will do well. If we go out there thinking a bit negative then it becomes harder.
'The players are well educated in the history of the club. When you walk around the training ground, you see the players from 1958, 1968 all the way through to today.'
Rooney weighed in with 18 goals in a season that saw United retain their Premier League title.
While he was widely applauded for his work ethic and team play, he insists there is room for improvement.
He said: 'I can score a few more goals, possibly with my left foot and a some more headers. I keep working on all different things, my passing, my fitness and scoring.
'I've changed my game a little bit. Instead of playing in the hole or off one forward, I've mainly been the striker looking to get in behind. I've enjoyed doing it this year - to be honest a lot more than I thought I would. It has brought me a few goals in different games.'
Led by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, United will fly out to Russia tomorrow and Rooney is desperate for the match to get under way.
He said: 'It's a horrible feeling waiting for the final. I'd like to go to bed tonight and wake up on Wednesday. It's a bit like Christmas when you're a kid, so I just can't wait.
'I've been playing FIFA on X-Box with my mates. My girlfriend's not too happy with me, but it keeps me occupied. I've played in three cup finals, winning one and losing two, so hopefully I can even that out.'
Rooney has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to stay and continue their prolific partnership.
'I hope the partnership will continue for years. Ronaldo is a great player and it will be brilliant if we can keep him at the club for as long as possible. He's an unbelievable player,' Rooney told reporters.
'What he's done for United in the last few years is brilliant and it makes you work hard.
'For Ronaldo to score those goals is helping the team. I've got no problem if he scores 60 goals in a season and I don't get anywhere near that,' added the England striker who has struck 18 times this term.
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'Exhausted' Tevez looking forward to break
Carlos Tevez admits he is 'physically exhausted' after a tremendous season with Manchester United.
The Argentina striker has played 47 games for United since joining from West Ham in August, netting 19 goals as he helped fire the team to the brink of a league and Champions League double.
However, Tevez admits his tiredness could see him sit out his side's World Cup qualifier against old enemies Brazil, on June 18.
'After the Champions League final, I will need some weeks to rest,' Tevez told Argentinian newspaper Clarin. 'After the Copa America in Venezuela (last year), I came to Manchester United and haven't stopped playing. I'm physically exhausted.
'I will talk to Coco (Argentina coach Alfio Basile) to see if it is for the best that I join the national team.'
First Tevez has the Champions League final to think about as United take on Chelsea on Wednesday, looking to add that trophy to the Barclays Premier League title they lifted a week ago.
The former Boca Juniors and Corinthians star was delighted to get his hands on a trophy once again and has vowed to do everything possible to ensure it is United who return from Moscow victorious.
'I celebrated so much last week because it's been a while since I celebrated a title,' added Tevez. 'I was already losing the habit which I loved.
'I hadn't been a champion since 2005, when I lifted the Brazilian title with Corinthians. Moreover, it's my first title in Europe and that doesn't happen every day.
'I called my uncle, who suffers from cancer, from the stadium. He was very emotional, as was I obviously. I know that these are little moments of happiness that are very good for him and that gives me the strength to continue.
'I promised him that we will do everything to win the Champions League. Chelsea have a great team, they attack a lot and have a lot of players who head very well, but we have our skills too.'
Tevez also has his sights firmly set on winning an international title with Argentina, especially after losing the last two Copa America finals to Brazil, in 2004 and 2007.
'It would be wonderful,' he said. 'Among all the dreams I have, winning a title with the national team is the biggest in my mind.
'I give my all for every shirt but the blue and white (of Argentina) is the most dear to me.
'I have been fortunate, I have celebrated titles with Boca, Corinthians and now Manchester. What is still missing is one with the national team.'
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The Argentina striker has played 47 games for United since joining from West Ham in August, netting 19 goals as he helped fire the team to the brink of a league and Champions League double.
However, Tevez admits his tiredness could see him sit out his side's World Cup qualifier against old enemies Brazil, on June 18.
'After the Champions League final, I will need some weeks to rest,' Tevez told Argentinian newspaper Clarin. 'After the Copa America in Venezuela (last year), I came to Manchester United and haven't stopped playing. I'm physically exhausted.
'I will talk to Coco (Argentina coach Alfio Basile) to see if it is for the best that I join the national team.'
First Tevez has the Champions League final to think about as United take on Chelsea on Wednesday, looking to add that trophy to the Barclays Premier League title they lifted a week ago.
The former Boca Juniors and Corinthians star was delighted to get his hands on a trophy once again and has vowed to do everything possible to ensure it is United who return from Moscow victorious.
'I celebrated so much last week because it's been a while since I celebrated a title,' added Tevez. 'I was already losing the habit which I loved.
'I hadn't been a champion since 2005, when I lifted the Brazilian title with Corinthians. Moreover, it's my first title in Europe and that doesn't happen every day.
'I called my uncle, who suffers from cancer, from the stadium. He was very emotional, as was I obviously. I know that these are little moments of happiness that are very good for him and that gives me the strength to continue.
'I promised him that we will do everything to win the Champions League. Chelsea have a great team, they attack a lot and have a lot of players who head very well, but we have our skills too.'
Tevez also has his sights firmly set on winning an international title with Argentina, especially after losing the last two Copa America finals to Brazil, in 2004 and 2007.
'It would be wonderful,' he said. 'Among all the dreams I have, winning a title with the national team is the biggest in my mind.
'I give my all for every shirt but the blue and white (of Argentina) is the most dear to me.
'I have been fortunate, I have celebrated titles with Boca, Corinthians and now Manchester. What is still missing is one with the national team.'
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