Wow... I can't believe it took me this long to post this match update...
In what seemed to be the climax of the season, this was the match to decide it all! A United win would bring them closer to the title which means Arsenal will be out of the title race until next season. However if Arsenal won this, United would be hanging on a life line, hoping Chelsea lose all their next matches.
Anyway, United was pretty pumped from the encounter with AS Roma during the mid week Champions League match. Arsenal however was in a state of unbalance. After losing to Liverpool in the Champions League, this was going to be the only source of title success.
As the match begin, both managers shuffled their sides once again, with Fergie opting to play a 4-5-1 formation and Wenger a 4-4-2.
Back in the squad for United was Christiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, who played a small part in the Champion's League victory and they looked towards crushing Arsenal. However it was not to be a repeat of the 4-0 victory in the FA Cup match as Arsenal took the game to United and showed some good attacking football.
United however was in confusion as they missed chances and the passing was terrible.
Arsenal came close to scoring a number of times in the first half, but thanks to Edwin Van Der Sar and the solid backline, the scoreline stayed 0-0 at the interval.
The second half started, with Arsenal again showing their attacking prowness and tested the United goal a few more times.
Finally the chance came for Arsenal when Adebayor seemed to knock the ball into the net with his hand! Of course the ref didn't see it and hence the goal stood.
With that goal, the United squad woke up from their dream-state and started turning on the heat against their opposition. Trying to find the equalizer nearly cost United the match as at one point, Ferdinand almost scored a own goal, if not for the alertness of Van Der Sar.
However it was going to be United's day as Carrick's shot was handled away by Gallas and the penalty was given.
Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty, only to have it canceled as Park foolishly ran into the box before the ball left the spot.
2nd try, and Ronaldo hit the target once again! 1-1 to both teams and United continued their search for the winner!
Off came Park and Scholes. In came Anderson and Carlos Tevez.
With the new energy and shifted formation, United attacked and it seemed like it was not going to be Arsenal's day as they conceded a free kick outside the penalty box. Ronaldo, a frequent free kick taker was shut out by Owen Hargreaves as he took the ball, placed it, and fired it straight into the net. Leaving Jens Lehman grounded.
It was applause all around the stadium as fan celebrated! But it wasn't over just yet as Arsenal pressed on.
Arsenal did come close into equalizing the score a few times, but it wasn't to be! It was the day, United showed the world that although you play second-best football during a match, you're still able to win it through set pieces!
With only 4games to go... It looks to be Game! Set! and Match!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Manchester United 1 - 0 AS Roma @ Old Trafford 10th April 2008
I was a little weary of this match, after the weekend disaster at Middlesbrough, the defence was put to test in this match against the Italian Giants.
Meeting for the 6th time in 2 seasons, Roma looked to avenge their 7-1 defeat here at Old Trafford and shame the United crowd.
After being humiliated by Ronaldo and Rooney in the previous game, they looked fresh for attack and warned Ronaldo about his show-boating.
With United taking on Arsenal in the weekend game, Ferguson rested Rooney and Ronaldo from the starting line-up. He gave Gerrard Pique his 2nd Champions League start and it was relief to see Ferdinand back in the heart of the defence. Tevez played a lone striker role with Ferguson packing the midfield with Park (right wing), Giggs (left), Hargreaves, Carrick and Anderson in the middle of the pitch.
It was good to see Silvestre back in his usual left back position after a long absence which gives Evra a much needed rest. The game exploded into the scene as astonishingly, the midfield was working well. Park and Hargreaves terrorized the Right wing as Giggs found his form after much critism and terrorized the left wing. Anderson and Carrick sprayed balls to Tevez continuously and Roma looked to concede another 7 goals in the first 10minutes.
Luckily for them, their keeper, Doni was alert and kept the visitors in the game. After awhile Roma begin to settle and they begin their attack. They almost got a few goals but the back four and Van Der Sar was alert and that kept them out.
Around the 30th minute, Wes Brown looked as if he fouled Mancini in the box and the Ref gave a penalty to the visitors. It was a debatable challenge but whatever happens, the Ref's decision is final. If Roma were to score, the aggregate would be 2-1 and it would give Roma a new sense of belief to go on and take the semi-final spot from United.
Daniel de Rossi, a former United target, stepped up and tried to score. He missed his chance as the ball flew right into the stands. Disaster for Roma but it was all good for United as they continued their attack on the Roma goal after that.
With the first half drawing to a close, the score was left 0-0. Many anticipated another exciting second half. But fatigue and players slowing down meant that the game moved slowly and sometimes was pretty much boring.
It seemed that Ferdinand who had 3 stitches on his leg during the half time break would have slowed down his pace but in fact he still dived in for tackles and saved Van Der Sar's neck during a scramble in the box. That's leadership qualities and hopefully we'll be seeing him as the next United captain.
In the 70th minute with 20minutes to go. The match came to live once more when Owen Hargreaves crossed a marvelous cross which saw Carlos Tevez diving in for the header. GOAL! It was the end for Roma, as they now had a moutain of a task to break the United defence.
Sir Alex took out Tevez and Figgs later in place for Rooney and O'Shea to come on in much later. He later took Carrick out and sent on Gary Neville who was making his season debut after a horrific injury that took him out of the game for months.
The game ended with United being 1-0 winners, and setting up a mouthwatering semi-final match against Barcelona.
Meeting for the 6th time in 2 seasons, Roma looked to avenge their 7-1 defeat here at Old Trafford and shame the United crowd.
After being humiliated by Ronaldo and Rooney in the previous game, they looked fresh for attack and warned Ronaldo about his show-boating.
With United taking on Arsenal in the weekend game, Ferguson rested Rooney and Ronaldo from the starting line-up. He gave Gerrard Pique his 2nd Champions League start and it was relief to see Ferdinand back in the heart of the defence. Tevez played a lone striker role with Ferguson packing the midfield with Park (right wing), Giggs (left), Hargreaves, Carrick and Anderson in the middle of the pitch.
It was good to see Silvestre back in his usual left back position after a long absence which gives Evra a much needed rest. The game exploded into the scene as astonishingly, the midfield was working well. Park and Hargreaves terrorized the Right wing as Giggs found his form after much critism and terrorized the left wing. Anderson and Carrick sprayed balls to Tevez continuously and Roma looked to concede another 7 goals in the first 10minutes.
Luckily for them, their keeper, Doni was alert and kept the visitors in the game. After awhile Roma begin to settle and they begin their attack. They almost got a few goals but the back four and Van Der Sar was alert and that kept them out.
Around the 30th minute, Wes Brown looked as if he fouled Mancini in the box and the Ref gave a penalty to the visitors. It was a debatable challenge but whatever happens, the Ref's decision is final. If Roma were to score, the aggregate would be 2-1 and it would give Roma a new sense of belief to go on and take the semi-final spot from United.
Daniel de Rossi, a former United target, stepped up and tried to score. He missed his chance as the ball flew right into the stands. Disaster for Roma but it was all good for United as they continued their attack on the Roma goal after that.
With the first half drawing to a close, the score was left 0-0. Many anticipated another exciting second half. But fatigue and players slowing down meant that the game moved slowly and sometimes was pretty much boring.
It seemed that Ferdinand who had 3 stitches on his leg during the half time break would have slowed down his pace but in fact he still dived in for tackles and saved Van Der Sar's neck during a scramble in the box. That's leadership qualities and hopefully we'll be seeing him as the next United captain.
In the 70th minute with 20minutes to go. The match came to live once more when Owen Hargreaves crossed a marvelous cross which saw Carlos Tevez diving in for the header. GOAL! It was the end for Roma, as they now had a moutain of a task to break the United defence.
Sir Alex took out Tevez and Figgs later in place for Rooney and O'Shea to come on in much later. He later took Carrick out and sent on Gary Neville who was making his season debut after a horrific injury that took him out of the game for months.
The game ended with United being 1-0 winners, and setting up a mouthwatering semi-final match against Barcelona.
Middlesbrough 2 - 2 Manchester United @ the Riverside Stadium 6th April 2008
In what can be noted as the "worst performance of the season"
The United team, practically let their fans down!
In what was billed to be a done and dusted league challenge, with United being 5points ahead, many would have thought United would have won this game.
True, the overconfidence was getting to the team once again, but after the beating of Roma in Rome, how can this United side lose?
I missed the opening 10minutes of the match but I did get to catch the goal by Ronaldo who was assisted by Michael Carrick.
From then on, Boro practically took the game to United and they attacked with full force. Not bothering about their defence, they played like they had nothing to lose. In which United, had everything to lose if they lost this game.
That tactic for Boro paid off as they found that the United defence (who was missing Nemanja Vidic) crumbled with the partnering of Ferdinand and O'Shea. At times, it looked as if non of them were bothered in defending as the Boro strikers found ways to break the "solid" defence United had all season.
Minutes after minutes of pressuring, Boro squandered chances like crazy. With luck on United's side and Boro's as well, both teams failed to score with perfect chances being presented to them.
As the game became tensed, so did the weather as it looked as if it rained and snowed during the match. This cold weather conditions were soon blasted away with the heat from the Boro supporters as Alfonso Alves (their new signing) scored! The scores were leveled at half time and it looked as if United was going to wake up and maybe blast a few more into the back of the net of the Boro goal.
Unfortunately it didn't happen as chances were missed. Middlesbrough reminded United that trying to win the title ain't all that easy as they scored again through Alves and United was definitely on Red Alert.
The defence was shakey as ever and Ferdinand picked up an injury. Fearing the worst, he was replaced by Gerard Pique and the defence was reshuffled. Pique put on a absolutely wonderful performance as he tightened the defence once again that allowed the other players to push forward and attack.
Luckily, the United equalizer came through Wayne Rooney. It was all cheerful once more and the United attack, attacked the Boro goal to find the winning goal. But, alas... it wasn't to be as Boro defended and United missed more chances. The game ended in a draw which leaves United only 3 points ahead of Chelsea.
The United team, practically let their fans down!
In what was billed to be a done and dusted league challenge, with United being 5points ahead, many would have thought United would have won this game.
True, the overconfidence was getting to the team once again, but after the beating of Roma in Rome, how can this United side lose?
I missed the opening 10minutes of the match but I did get to catch the goal by Ronaldo who was assisted by Michael Carrick.
From then on, Boro practically took the game to United and they attacked with full force. Not bothering about their defence, they played like they had nothing to lose. In which United, had everything to lose if they lost this game.
That tactic for Boro paid off as they found that the United defence (who was missing Nemanja Vidic) crumbled with the partnering of Ferdinand and O'Shea. At times, it looked as if non of them were bothered in defending as the Boro strikers found ways to break the "solid" defence United had all season.
Minutes after minutes of pressuring, Boro squandered chances like crazy. With luck on United's side and Boro's as well, both teams failed to score with perfect chances being presented to them.
As the game became tensed, so did the weather as it looked as if it rained and snowed during the match. This cold weather conditions were soon blasted away with the heat from the Boro supporters as Alfonso Alves (their new signing) scored! The scores were leveled at half time and it looked as if United was going to wake up and maybe blast a few more into the back of the net of the Boro goal.
Unfortunately it didn't happen as chances were missed. Middlesbrough reminded United that trying to win the title ain't all that easy as they scored again through Alves and United was definitely on Red Alert.
The defence was shakey as ever and Ferdinand picked up an injury. Fearing the worst, he was replaced by Gerard Pique and the defence was reshuffled. Pique put on a absolutely wonderful performance as he tightened the defence once again that allowed the other players to push forward and attack.
Luckily, the United equalizer came through Wayne Rooney. It was all cheerful once more and the United attack, attacked the Boro goal to find the winning goal. But, alas... it wasn't to be as Boro defended and United missed more chances. The game ended in a draw which leaves United only 3 points ahead of Chelsea.
Friday, April 4, 2008
AS Roma 0 - 2 Manchester United @ Stadio Olimpico 2nd April 2008
It seems that Roma here is like another Premier League team,
we've seen them 5 times already in the past year and it has all ended well for United!
The first time these two teams met, Roma beat United 2-1 at their home stadium.
United responded with a classic 7-1 thrashing of the romans at Old Trafford.
Months later, United and Roma were drawn in the same group of the Champions League Group Stages and once again, United prevailed and beat Roma 1-0 at home.
The 2nd game of the group match ended in a 1-1 draw which saw Rooney captain the United side for the first time.
And today... United added another victory over the Italian Giants.
With talismanic striker, Francesco Totti, Roma looked weakened but, nevetheless United respected their opponents and played a 4 - 5 - 1 formation.
Park Ji Sung started in place of Ryan Giggs, while Tevez sat on the bench with the Boss preferring Rooney in the lone striker role.
The match started off with United possessing the ball more than their Italian opponents but neither side managed to break down the defence or the packed midfield.
Anderson, Scholes and Carrick were consistantly seen running back and forth, attacking and defending well while the Italians tried to break the duck in front of their home support.
Ronaldo who was pretty much frustrated at the physical tackles by his markers and the ref decided to play down his requests for numerous fouls. Nevertheless, he remained calm and silently looking for moments to cast his magic.
The moment came when Rooney won the ball in the opposition half and passed it right to Scholes who then crossed in what seemed to be a weak cross across the opponent's penalty box when out of no where, that boy Ronaldo burst into a run and headed the ball right into the Roman's net! It was stunning, I was practically left stunned as I never expected that goal to come.
Ronaldo's 36th goal of the season was the highlight of the first half, but however it was marred by the fact that United's reliable center back, Nemanja Vidic, injured his knee and had to be stretchered off allowing John O' Shea to replace him.
The second half started with United taking their foot off the pedal as they allowed Roma to attack continuously. There was an alarming 10minutes that saw Van Der Sar making a marvellous save to keep the United goal in tact. The solid defending by all the players were also a key reason Roma failed to score in their moment of magic.
With the alarm bells ringing, United were alert once more and this time they seeked for a second goal once again.
The second goal did come, compliments of the heroic run by Park Ji Sung to meet Brown's cross. The South Korean ran and managed to head the ball into the center of the penalty box before it went out. Rooney who was waiting was blessed with the fumble by the Roman defender and the keeper that allowed him to slot home the goal!
It was brilliant and United tried to seek a third goal at the restart. The boss, replaced Rooney with Tevez and Anderson with Hargreaves and the two combined together to set up another perfect chance to extend the lead. Sadly, it was blasted over the net by Ronaldo and the game ended 2-0 for United.
So with 2 away goals, United looked as favourites for the return leg at Old Trafford! Could we be seeing a United vs Barcelona in the Semi Finals? I hope we do!
we've seen them 5 times already in the past year and it has all ended well for United!
The first time these two teams met, Roma beat United 2-1 at their home stadium.
United responded with a classic 7-1 thrashing of the romans at Old Trafford.
Months later, United and Roma were drawn in the same group of the Champions League Group Stages and once again, United prevailed and beat Roma 1-0 at home.
The 2nd game of the group match ended in a 1-1 draw which saw Rooney captain the United side for the first time.
And today... United added another victory over the Italian Giants.
With talismanic striker, Francesco Totti, Roma looked weakened but, nevetheless United respected their opponents and played a 4 - 5 - 1 formation.
Park Ji Sung started in place of Ryan Giggs, while Tevez sat on the bench with the Boss preferring Rooney in the lone striker role.
The match started off with United possessing the ball more than their Italian opponents but neither side managed to break down the defence or the packed midfield.
Anderson, Scholes and Carrick were consistantly seen running back and forth, attacking and defending well while the Italians tried to break the duck in front of their home support.
Ronaldo who was pretty much frustrated at the physical tackles by his markers and the ref decided to play down his requests for numerous fouls. Nevertheless, he remained calm and silently looking for moments to cast his magic.
The moment came when Rooney won the ball in the opposition half and passed it right to Scholes who then crossed in what seemed to be a weak cross across the opponent's penalty box when out of no where, that boy Ronaldo burst into a run and headed the ball right into the Roman's net! It was stunning, I was practically left stunned as I never expected that goal to come.
Ronaldo's 36th goal of the season was the highlight of the first half, but however it was marred by the fact that United's reliable center back, Nemanja Vidic, injured his knee and had to be stretchered off allowing John O' Shea to replace him.
The second half started with United taking their foot off the pedal as they allowed Roma to attack continuously. There was an alarming 10minutes that saw Van Der Sar making a marvellous save to keep the United goal in tact. The solid defending by all the players were also a key reason Roma failed to score in their moment of magic.
With the alarm bells ringing, United were alert once more and this time they seeked for a second goal once again.
The second goal did come, compliments of the heroic run by Park Ji Sung to meet Brown's cross. The South Korean ran and managed to head the ball into the center of the penalty box before it went out. Rooney who was waiting was blessed with the fumble by the Roman defender and the keeper that allowed him to slot home the goal!
It was brilliant and United tried to seek a third goal at the restart. The boss, replaced Rooney with Tevez and Anderson with Hargreaves and the two combined together to set up another perfect chance to extend the lead. Sadly, it was blasted over the net by Ronaldo and the game ended 2-0 for United.
So with 2 away goals, United looked as favourites for the return leg at Old Trafford! Could we be seeing a United vs Barcelona in the Semi Finals? I hope we do!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Manchester United 4 - 0 Aston Villa @ Old Trafford 30th March 2008
Martin O' Neil, over the years, has been speculated as the next replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson but somehow it never worked out.
Fergie insisted he could go on in United, and O' Neil well, went to Aston Villa instead.
O'Neil managed to transform a weak Villa side to one of the top clubs in the league and they have been gunning for Europe each season. Usually they are a tough side to break down as they have strong defenders but somehow today, it took more than strong defenders and a good goalkeeper to stop the United attack.
In a somewhat surprising tactic, the first team squad was on the pitch! Seeing that the Champion's League game against Roma was coming up, I thought a few would be rested but Fergie proved me wrong!
The match started out well balanced as both clubs attacked from both ends causing a nervy 15minutes. Somehow both keepers on both ends were fantastic and shots were saved and some diverted for corners by the defenders.
But with the gulf of class United have on the pitch, it took 17minutes for the wonderboy, Ronaldo to score. But it wasn't any shot as he practically back passed the ball into the net! Creativity? YES! Showboating? YES! Genius? DEFINITELY! no matter what people say, Ronaldo is a different player alltogether. No one can compare him to any other players as he is always 1 step ahead of them and is seeking to break records set by legends at this young age!
10minutes later, Ronaldo showed his unselfishness by crossing in a beautiful cross right into the flying head of Carlos Tevez! 2-0 in 37minutes and it looks like Aston Villa is out of the game!
After the half, United looked to extend their lead, and they did just that! Rooney who was on a goal draught, finally broke his duck and scored his 1st goal after countless of matches. The game looked set and Fergie took off Ferdinand Evra and Carrick because of injuries and replaced them with Hargreaves, O'Shea and Anderson. With the new players, United set up another goal for Rooney who was delighted and seeked for his hat trick.
Sadly, Rooney was denied his hat trick with numerous offside calls and the match ended with United 4-0 and a having a huge confidence boost for the next match!
Fergie insisted he could go on in United, and O' Neil well, went to Aston Villa instead.
O'Neil managed to transform a weak Villa side to one of the top clubs in the league and they have been gunning for Europe each season. Usually they are a tough side to break down as they have strong defenders but somehow today, it took more than strong defenders and a good goalkeeper to stop the United attack.
In a somewhat surprising tactic, the first team squad was on the pitch! Seeing that the Champion's League game against Roma was coming up, I thought a few would be rested but Fergie proved me wrong!
The match started out well balanced as both clubs attacked from both ends causing a nervy 15minutes. Somehow both keepers on both ends were fantastic and shots were saved and some diverted for corners by the defenders.
But with the gulf of class United have on the pitch, it took 17minutes for the wonderboy, Ronaldo to score. But it wasn't any shot as he practically back passed the ball into the net! Creativity? YES! Showboating? YES! Genius? DEFINITELY! no matter what people say, Ronaldo is a different player alltogether. No one can compare him to any other players as he is always 1 step ahead of them and is seeking to break records set by legends at this young age!
10minutes later, Ronaldo showed his unselfishness by crossing in a beautiful cross right into the flying head of Carlos Tevez! 2-0 in 37minutes and it looks like Aston Villa is out of the game!
After the half, United looked to extend their lead, and they did just that! Rooney who was on a goal draught, finally broke his duck and scored his 1st goal after countless of matches. The game looked set and Fergie took off Ferdinand Evra and Carrick because of injuries and replaced them with Hargreaves, O'Shea and Anderson. With the new players, United set up another goal for Rooney who was delighted and seeked for his hat trick.
Sadly, Rooney was denied his hat trick with numerous offside calls and the match ended with United 4-0 and a having a huge confidence boost for the next match!
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