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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Inter Milan Vs. Manchester United Result Report
This Champions League last 16 tie is intriguingly poised at 0-0 at the halfway stage, but the Reds will hope that an inability to secure an away goal – one that looked odds on in dominant first half – won’t come back to bite Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
At least, United’s task in the second leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday 11 March is simple: win. Any other results – apart from 0-0, which would take the game into extra time – would see Jose Mourinho’s men triumph. But if the first half performance was anything to go by, the Reds’ chances look good. The balance of the opening 45 minutes was so ludicrously tipped in United’s favour that a goal, or a few, seemed inevitable. But Internazionale returned a different team in the second half, no longer beleaguered by the Reds’ commanding football.
The game was of top billing, a mouth-watering battle between two of the most prominent forces in Europe – United seven points in front in the Premier League, Internazionale boasting a nine-point lead in Serie A – and, of course, the resumption of an intriguing rivalry between Sir Alex and Jose Mourinho.
Sir Alex had injury concerns before the match with only six defenders travelling to Milan, two of them carrying injuries. But Jonny Evans and John O’Shea both made the starting line-up. And they weren’t the only surprises; Sir Alex left Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez on the bench, favouring an archetypal European away formation, set up for a smash and grab with Dimitar Berbatov leading the line, and a five-man midfield of Cristiano Ronaldo, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Ji-sung Park.
United haven’t lost a Champions League game since the 3-0 semi-final loss to AC Milan in this stadium two years ago. The wounds of that defeat cut deep and United set out with the intention of putting that right. Ronaldo immediately grasped the nettle, he had an early sighter from a free-kick after three minutes, then tested Julio Cesar with a powerful header from Giggs’ corner, while another free-kick two minutes later had the Inter goalkeeper scrambling across his goal.
United’s demeanour was calm and confident, the passing incisive and purposeful, a more mature team than when this stadium last welcomed the Reds. United’s penetrative play created yet another chance on the 20-minute mark as Giggs’ reverse pass found Berbatov’s run into the box, but the Bulgarian could pick out Park in the six-yard box. It was all United though, and Berbatov went close again with a powerful downward header from 15 yards from Evra’s cross, but the ball drifted wide of Julio Cesar’s right post.
The Reds were dominant, dictating pace of play, while Inter were playing a containment role looking to strike on the break. United’s next opportunity fell to Giggs, played in beautifully by Carrick, but the Welshman took the ball to wide and Julio Cesar narrowed the angle enough to force a shot straight at the keeper.
Ronaldo went close with a third free-kick on 27 minutes, while a headed attempt went past the post with Inter hearts in mouths. Sir Alex’s worry as half time approached was that he wouldn’t want his side to regret a glut of missed chances, because this tie could have been virtually over inside the first 25 minutes. The only surprise at the half-time break was how the score remained 0-0.
Mourinho recognised the need to change his team and their approach, swapping Nelson Rivas with Ivan Cordoba, and no doubt having delivered a rallying half-time team-talk because Inter came out fighting in the second half. They immediately attacked and within a minute Adriano’s scuffed shot went narrowly over. Inter had far more purpose about their play and regained the belief of a previously disgruntled home crowd. But United were still a threat. Ronaldo’s went on a brilliant run on 65 minutes and squared the ball across the face of goal, but neither Park nor Berbatov could reach it for the decisive touch.
Giggs was denied with fifteen minutes remaining when he darted across the edge of the box and fired a shot goalwards, but Cordoba was well placed to make the crucial block.
Inter went close again when Esteban Cambiasso failed to turn the ball in from close range from a corner before United scrambled the ball clear. Wayne Rooney was introduced for last seven minutes in place of the energetic Park. The Englishman was his usual all-action self, but his short, sharp burst of energy delivered only a booking – albeit a harsh one for a perfectly legitimate challenge on Cambiasso – rather than the goal United craved, and arguably deserved.
It was fitting that the game ended with another Ronaldo free-kick, which twisted and swerved on its route to goal, but was ultimately stopped by Julio Cesar. The deadlock remains unbroken, but home advantage will hopefully play its part in a fortnight.
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At least, United’s task in the second leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday 11 March is simple: win. Any other results – apart from 0-0, which would take the game into extra time – would see Jose Mourinho’s men triumph. But if the first half performance was anything to go by, the Reds’ chances look good. The balance of the opening 45 minutes was so ludicrously tipped in United’s favour that a goal, or a few, seemed inevitable. But Internazionale returned a different team in the second half, no longer beleaguered by the Reds’ commanding football.
The game was of top billing, a mouth-watering battle between two of the most prominent forces in Europe – United seven points in front in the Premier League, Internazionale boasting a nine-point lead in Serie A – and, of course, the resumption of an intriguing rivalry between Sir Alex and Jose Mourinho.
Sir Alex had injury concerns before the match with only six defenders travelling to Milan, two of them carrying injuries. But Jonny Evans and John O’Shea both made the starting line-up. And they weren’t the only surprises; Sir Alex left Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez on the bench, favouring an archetypal European away formation, set up for a smash and grab with Dimitar Berbatov leading the line, and a five-man midfield of Cristiano Ronaldo, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Ji-sung Park.
United haven’t lost a Champions League game since the 3-0 semi-final loss to AC Milan in this stadium two years ago. The wounds of that defeat cut deep and United set out with the intention of putting that right. Ronaldo immediately grasped the nettle, he had an early sighter from a free-kick after three minutes, then tested Julio Cesar with a powerful header from Giggs’ corner, while another free-kick two minutes later had the Inter goalkeeper scrambling across his goal.
United’s demeanour was calm and confident, the passing incisive and purposeful, a more mature team than when this stadium last welcomed the Reds. United’s penetrative play created yet another chance on the 20-minute mark as Giggs’ reverse pass found Berbatov’s run into the box, but the Bulgarian could pick out Park in the six-yard box. It was all United though, and Berbatov went close again with a powerful downward header from 15 yards from Evra’s cross, but the ball drifted wide of Julio Cesar’s right post.
The Reds were dominant, dictating pace of play, while Inter were playing a containment role looking to strike on the break. United’s next opportunity fell to Giggs, played in beautifully by Carrick, but the Welshman took the ball to wide and Julio Cesar narrowed the angle enough to force a shot straight at the keeper.
Ronaldo went close with a third free-kick on 27 minutes, while a headed attempt went past the post with Inter hearts in mouths. Sir Alex’s worry as half time approached was that he wouldn’t want his side to regret a glut of missed chances, because this tie could have been virtually over inside the first 25 minutes. The only surprise at the half-time break was how the score remained 0-0.
Mourinho recognised the need to change his team and their approach, swapping Nelson Rivas with Ivan Cordoba, and no doubt having delivered a rallying half-time team-talk because Inter came out fighting in the second half. They immediately attacked and within a minute Adriano’s scuffed shot went narrowly over. Inter had far more purpose about their play and regained the belief of a previously disgruntled home crowd. But United were still a threat. Ronaldo’s went on a brilliant run on 65 minutes and squared the ball across the face of goal, but neither Park nor Berbatov could reach it for the decisive touch.
Giggs was denied with fifteen minutes remaining when he darted across the edge of the box and fired a shot goalwards, but Cordoba was well placed to make the crucial block.
Inter went close again when Esteban Cambiasso failed to turn the ball in from close range from a corner before United scrambled the ball clear. Wayne Rooney was introduced for last seven minutes in place of the energetic Park. The Englishman was his usual all-action self, but his short, sharp burst of energy delivered only a booking – albeit a harsh one for a perfectly legitimate challenge on Cambiasso – rather than the goal United craved, and arguably deserved.
It was fitting that the game ended with another Ronaldo free-kick, which twisted and swerved on its route to goal, but was ultimately stopped by Julio Cesar. The deadlock remains unbroken, but home advantage will hopefully play its part in a fortnight.
Read more...
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Manchester United Vs. Blackburn Match Report
United went eight points clear at the top of the league after victory over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday evening.
As is customary of late, Sir Alex’s men won by the slenderest of margins, although for the first time since November the Reds conceded a league goal.
United were made to work hard for the points but goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo proved enough to seal an 11th consecutive win in all competitions.
The Reds made five changes from the side that produced such scintillating football against Fulham in midweek. Jonny Evans came in for Nemanja Vidic to get some more minutes under his belt before United’s trip to the San Siro on Tuesday (the Serbian is suspended for that match), while Rafael replaced John O’Shea at right-back. Wayne Rooney was handed his first start in six weeks, while Nani replaced Ji-sung Park on the left wing.
But perhaps the biggest shock came in goal, where Edwin van der Sar was rested in the league for the first time since the end of October. The Dutchman, who has sent goalkeeping records tumbling in recent weeks, was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak.
The Polish stopper had precious little to do early on. Instead, it was Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson who had most cause for concern in the opening minutes.
Paul Scholes, fresh from one of his best performances in a United shirt three days earlier, shot narrowly wide in the third minute after finding space in midfield to run at Rovers’ defence. Sixty seconds later, Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross curled just beyond the far post.
Scholes blasted wide once more on 12 minutes when a half-cleared corner fell to the midfielder on the edge of the box. Moments earlier, Rooney would have succeeded in playing Michael Carrick in on goal had a Blackburn defender not intervened with a last-ditch sliding tackle.
More last-ditch defending saved the visitors on 17 minutes, Ryan Nelson hooking clear Ronaldo’s dangerous cross just as Carrick looked certain to head in from close range.
Much of United’s best work was coming down the right flank so it was no surprise that the Reds engineered the game’s opener from that area of the pitch. Nani, who’d drifted across from the left, curled a teasing cross in behind the Blackburn defence. Nelsen stretched to clear but failed to make decisive contact and the ball dropped to Rooney, who pounced from five yards to net his 14th goal of the season and his fourth in as many league appearances.
Recently, that would have been enough to secure victory. But nine minutes later Blackburn became the first team to breach United’s defence in the league since 8 November.
Indeed, 1334 minutes had elapsed – that’s more than 22 hours of football and 14 consecutive clean sheets – before Roque Santa Cruz evaded Rio Ferdinand’s tackle, rounded Tomasz Kuszczak and calmly rolled the ball into the net to level scores at 1-1.
And that’s how it stayed as the teams went into the break, although United will feel aggrieved to have had Jonny Evans’ header ruled out on the stroke of half-time. Referee Howard Webb ruled the Northern Irishman had used his arms to claim an unfair advantage at the corner, although replays suggested the decision was harsh.
Neither manager made changes at half-time and the second period began at a furious pace. Within two minutes, both sides had fashioned chances, with Blackburn going closest to finding the net. Only assured defending from Patrice Evra and then Jonny Evans kept the score at 1-1.
Blackburn’s confidence grew and 13 minutes into the second period the visitors hit the post. Ryan Nelsen stole in behind the defence to fire past Kuszczak but the ball cannoned back off the woodwork. The Pole then produced a fine save to keep out El-Hadji Diouf’s fierce follow-up.
United responded to the scare in the best possible fashion, Ronaldo rifling in a free-kick from wide on the left to restore the Reds’ lead. It was a stunning strike, fizzing over the wall and into the far corner beyond Robinson’s despairing dive. It was the sort of goal the Ballon d’Or winner produced so many times last season, and one that today proved just as important as it was spectacular.
Sir Alex immediately made a double substitution – Vidic for Evans, Tevez for Nani – that pushed Wayne Rooney out to the left. There, he encountered the fiery Diouf, a battle that provided thoroughly engrossing viewing for the rest of the evening.
United remained in control as the minutes ticked down. Not even Sam Allardyce’s decision to throw on Benni McCarthy for the last 10 minutes could affect a change in Rovers’ fortunes. Indeed, the game opened up even further for the Reds and Berbatov should have perhaps added a third with 87 minutes on the clock.
The Stretford End chorused, “We shall not be moved” during injury time. Certainly, with United now eight points clear at the top of the league, the task for United’s title rivals is looking increasingly more difficult.
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As is customary of late, Sir Alex’s men won by the slenderest of margins, although for the first time since November the Reds conceded a league goal.
United were made to work hard for the points but goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo proved enough to seal an 11th consecutive win in all competitions.
The Reds made five changes from the side that produced such scintillating football against Fulham in midweek. Jonny Evans came in for Nemanja Vidic to get some more minutes under his belt before United’s trip to the San Siro on Tuesday (the Serbian is suspended for that match), while Rafael replaced John O’Shea at right-back. Wayne Rooney was handed his first start in six weeks, while Nani replaced Ji-sung Park on the left wing.
But perhaps the biggest shock came in goal, where Edwin van der Sar was rested in the league for the first time since the end of October. The Dutchman, who has sent goalkeeping records tumbling in recent weeks, was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak.
The Polish stopper had precious little to do early on. Instead, it was Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson who had most cause for concern in the opening minutes.
Paul Scholes, fresh from one of his best performances in a United shirt three days earlier, shot narrowly wide in the third minute after finding space in midfield to run at Rovers’ defence. Sixty seconds later, Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross curled just beyond the far post.
Scholes blasted wide once more on 12 minutes when a half-cleared corner fell to the midfielder on the edge of the box. Moments earlier, Rooney would have succeeded in playing Michael Carrick in on goal had a Blackburn defender not intervened with a last-ditch sliding tackle.
More last-ditch defending saved the visitors on 17 minutes, Ryan Nelson hooking clear Ronaldo’s dangerous cross just as Carrick looked certain to head in from close range.
Much of United’s best work was coming down the right flank so it was no surprise that the Reds engineered the game’s opener from that area of the pitch. Nani, who’d drifted across from the left, curled a teasing cross in behind the Blackburn defence. Nelsen stretched to clear but failed to make decisive contact and the ball dropped to Rooney, who pounced from five yards to net his 14th goal of the season and his fourth in as many league appearances.
Recently, that would have been enough to secure victory. But nine minutes later Blackburn became the first team to breach United’s defence in the league since 8 November.
Indeed, 1334 minutes had elapsed – that’s more than 22 hours of football and 14 consecutive clean sheets – before Roque Santa Cruz evaded Rio Ferdinand’s tackle, rounded Tomasz Kuszczak and calmly rolled the ball into the net to level scores at 1-1.
And that’s how it stayed as the teams went into the break, although United will feel aggrieved to have had Jonny Evans’ header ruled out on the stroke of half-time. Referee Howard Webb ruled the Northern Irishman had used his arms to claim an unfair advantage at the corner, although replays suggested the decision was harsh.
Neither manager made changes at half-time and the second period began at a furious pace. Within two minutes, both sides had fashioned chances, with Blackburn going closest to finding the net. Only assured defending from Patrice Evra and then Jonny Evans kept the score at 1-1.
Blackburn’s confidence grew and 13 minutes into the second period the visitors hit the post. Ryan Nelsen stole in behind the defence to fire past Kuszczak but the ball cannoned back off the woodwork. The Pole then produced a fine save to keep out El-Hadji Diouf’s fierce follow-up.
United responded to the scare in the best possible fashion, Ronaldo rifling in a free-kick from wide on the left to restore the Reds’ lead. It was a stunning strike, fizzing over the wall and into the far corner beyond Robinson’s despairing dive. It was the sort of goal the Ballon d’Or winner produced so many times last season, and one that today proved just as important as it was spectacular.
Sir Alex immediately made a double substitution – Vidic for Evans, Tevez for Nani – that pushed Wayne Rooney out to the left. There, he encountered the fiery Diouf, a battle that provided thoroughly engrossing viewing for the rest of the evening.
United remained in control as the minutes ticked down. Not even Sam Allardyce’s decision to throw on Benni McCarthy for the last 10 minutes could affect a change in Rovers’ fortunes. Indeed, the game opened up even further for the Reds and Berbatov should have perhaps added a third with 87 minutes on the clock.
The Stretford End chorused, “We shall not be moved” during injury time. Certainly, with United now eight points clear at the top of the league, the task for United’s title rivals is looking increasingly more difficult.
Read more...
Manchester United Vs. Blackburn Rovers Highlights Video Clip
Manchester United [2 - 1] Blackburn Rovers
23' [1 - 0] W. Rooney
32' [1 - 1] R.S. Cruz
60' [2 - 1] C. Ronaldo
1-0 W.Rooney 23'
1-1 R.Santa Cruz 32'
2-1 C.Ronaldo 60'
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23' [1 - 0] W. Rooney
32' [1 - 1] R.S. Cruz
60' [2 - 1] C. Ronaldo
1-0 W.Rooney 23'
1-1 R.Santa Cruz 32'
2-1 C.Ronaldo 60'
Read more...
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