Manchester United will play Barcelona in this year’s Champions League final at Wembley after an emphatic 4–1 win over FC Schalke 04 at Old Trafford. The 6–1 aggregate was probably a fair reflection of play over the two legs, though the German side actually made a better fist of it away from home than the score-line suggests.
Sir Alex Rings the Changes
With the crunch game against Chelsea coming up on the weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson made an astonishing nine changes to the team that won in Germany. Most of us expected a few alterations to the line-up but so many was a real surprise, considering the United manager had stressed prior to the game that United wouldn’t be “taking anything for granted”.
Schalke were able to recall Benedickt Howedes to bolster the centre of defense, and Sergio Escudero, who came on as a substitute in the first leg, was given a start at left back. Seventeen year-old Julian Draxler was also awarded a place in the starting line-up.
Notwithstanding all the changes, United started much as they finished in Germany and had forced two corners before the game was five minutes old. Schalke’s first corner did not arrive until 14 minutes had gone by. Even so, the team from the Bundesliga was looking in much better shape than last week.
However, just as it appeared that they might be on the verge of creating something the ball was given away in midfield at the 26 minute mark and a well-executed defense splitting pass from Darron Gibson put Antonio Valencia in the clear. The right winger, who has looked so impressive since returning from long-term injury, slotted the ball home cool as you like.
Before the celebrations had finished Schalke were down the other end trying to get something back but Raul’s header was easy for Edwin van der Sar. With the ball back in Schalke’s end, Rafael took a throw-in on the right, Anderson saw Darron Gibson in space on the edge of the box and the Irishman’s firm shot surprised Manuel Neuer, catching him off balance. United were two goals to the good and the tie looked virtually over with just over half an hour gone.
Schalke Back in Contention
It was at this point that the inexperience of United’s second string defenders showed.
As Schalke went forward, trying to salvage some pride if nothing else, United appeared casual in the extreme and several sloppy passes culminated in Smalling giving the ball away inside his own penalty area. The ball broke for Jose Manuel Jurado lurking on the edge of the box and the Spaniard fired an excellent shot past van der Sar.
The United response from Valencia required a goal line clearance with Neuer beaten, but it was Schalke who looked threatening in the ten minutes up to half-time, with a few nerves starting to manifest among the United players and some discernible tension among the supporters around the ground. In contrast to their poor showing on home turf, Ralf Rangnick’s men had enjoyed a 54-46 percent advantage in possession over the course of the first half.
United Wrap It Up
Manchester’s complacency following the second goal had no doubt resulted in a half-time tongue lashing from Sir Alex and they came out more focused. Neuer was called on to make a fingertip save from Anderson’s curling shot on 55 minutes, then Smalling had the ball in the net from a close-range tap in but was offside.
The match and the tie were finally wrapped up in the 72nd minute when Nani advanced into the Schalke area and pulled the ball back for Anderson on the penalty spot with his back to goal. The Brazilian was tackled but recovered to turn and score with aplomb.
United’s ticket to Wembley was well and truly booked only four minutes later. Dimitar Berbatov has not scored in the Champions League since October 2008 and would have been forgiven for trying his luck when in possession on the right of the box with only the goalkeeper to beat. However, to his credit the Bulgarian put self-interest aside and laid the ball on a platter for Anderson who was in a much more central position and able to simply tap the ball into an empty net.
Manchester United now has an opportunity to avenge their defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the 2009 final. The encounter on the 29th May is certainly a mouth-watering prospect for soccer fans everywhere.
Sir Alex Ferguson was full of confidence after the match acknowledging that Barcelona is “the team of the moment“, but showing great confidence in his own squad: “I think it's a team full of great desire and determination. These qualities, allied to their ability, will help them at Wembley."
Read More
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/sports/its-barcelona-v-manchester-united-in-the-2011-eufa-champions-league-final-55847.html
Sir Alex Rings the Changes
With the crunch game against Chelsea coming up on the weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson made an astonishing nine changes to the team that won in Germany. Most of us expected a few alterations to the line-up but so many was a real surprise, considering the United manager had stressed prior to the game that United wouldn’t be “taking anything for granted”.
Schalke were able to recall Benedickt Howedes to bolster the centre of defense, and Sergio Escudero, who came on as a substitute in the first leg, was given a start at left back. Seventeen year-old Julian Draxler was also awarded a place in the starting line-up.
Notwithstanding all the changes, United started much as they finished in Germany and had forced two corners before the game was five minutes old. Schalke’s first corner did not arrive until 14 minutes had gone by. Even so, the team from the Bundesliga was looking in much better shape than last week.
However, just as it appeared that they might be on the verge of creating something the ball was given away in midfield at the 26 minute mark and a well-executed defense splitting pass from Darron Gibson put Antonio Valencia in the clear. The right winger, who has looked so impressive since returning from long-term injury, slotted the ball home cool as you like.
Before the celebrations had finished Schalke were down the other end trying to get something back but Raul’s header was easy for Edwin van der Sar. With the ball back in Schalke’s end, Rafael took a throw-in on the right, Anderson saw Darron Gibson in space on the edge of the box and the Irishman’s firm shot surprised Manuel Neuer, catching him off balance. United were two goals to the good and the tie looked virtually over with just over half an hour gone.
Schalke Back in Contention
It was at this point that the inexperience of United’s second string defenders showed.
As Schalke went forward, trying to salvage some pride if nothing else, United appeared casual in the extreme and several sloppy passes culminated in Smalling giving the ball away inside his own penalty area. The ball broke for Jose Manuel Jurado lurking on the edge of the box and the Spaniard fired an excellent shot past van der Sar.
The United response from Valencia required a goal line clearance with Neuer beaten, but it was Schalke who looked threatening in the ten minutes up to half-time, with a few nerves starting to manifest among the United players and some discernible tension among the supporters around the ground. In contrast to their poor showing on home turf, Ralf Rangnick’s men had enjoyed a 54-46 percent advantage in possession over the course of the first half.
United Wrap It Up
Manchester’s complacency following the second goal had no doubt resulted in a half-time tongue lashing from Sir Alex and they came out more focused. Neuer was called on to make a fingertip save from Anderson’s curling shot on 55 minutes, then Smalling had the ball in the net from a close-range tap in but was offside.
The match and the tie were finally wrapped up in the 72nd minute when Nani advanced into the Schalke area and pulled the ball back for Anderson on the penalty spot with his back to goal. The Brazilian was tackled but recovered to turn and score with aplomb.
United’s ticket to Wembley was well and truly booked only four minutes later. Dimitar Berbatov has not scored in the Champions League since October 2008 and would have been forgiven for trying his luck when in possession on the right of the box with only the goalkeeper to beat. However, to his credit the Bulgarian put self-interest aside and laid the ball on a platter for Anderson who was in a much more central position and able to simply tap the ball into an empty net.
Manchester United now has an opportunity to avenge their defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the 2009 final. The encounter on the 29th May is certainly a mouth-watering prospect for soccer fans everywhere.
Sir Alex Ferguson was full of confidence after the match acknowledging that Barcelona is “the team of the moment“, but showing great confidence in his own squad: “I think it's a team full of great desire and determination. These qualities, allied to their ability, will help them at Wembley."
Read More
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/sports/its-barcelona-v-manchester-united-in-the-2011-eufa-champions-league-final-55847.html
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