Date:
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Time: 11:46:00 AM
Thank you Lady Luck, for blessing the Red Devils. After shunning away from the Red Devils since the last couple of games, I am so glad that you came back and blessed the Red Devils. And Lady Luck, I am praying hard that you'll continue to shine upon them in the Red Devils' last 3 remaining games. Please, will you?
Here's the match analysis:
29th April 2008 (England's time)
Old Trafford
It was a nail biting game. Man U has to win this second leg semi final clash. Any goal scoring draw would mean that Man U will be denied of a final slot in Moscow. A nil-nil draw would mean the nail biting game will be extended and the match could go either way.
United played with the same starting line up similar to the Nou Camp clash with the exception of Nani replacing the injured Rooney. This time round, I had faith in this new line up by Sir Alex. Firstly, Man U was playing at home, so that's home advantage. Secondly, this line up has been tested again when they played Chelsea last weekend. Hargreaves have dared to venture out of his defensive role which is very very relieving. Thirdly, the Red Devils are dying to win; the Champions League being Sir Alex's target since God knows when. Sir Alex is hungry to have another Champions League title to his already growing list of titles won. And of course finally, Paul Scholes did what Ronaldo failed to do last week at the Nou Camp.
Yes, Scholes scored the most important goal that sealed their slot in Moscow. Scholes was there with his thunderbolt scoring trademark. It felt like the good old days when Scholes would just blast the ball into the net and the crowd at Old Trafford erupts into great cheers.
Ooh yes, did the decision to play Nani on the right, was the right decision that Sir Alex have made over the week? Well, as much as I hate Rooney, I wouldn't say that Nani was a better player. Both of them have their own strengths and weaknesses. No doubt, Rooney have matured. But the different between them is, Nani has the speed and the trickery that his Portugese counterpart has. While Rooney, he is a determined player where he will rise to the occasion with or without injury, just like the goal he scored against the loss to Chelsea.
Hence, with the speed of Nani, and the United's 12th man, the game was more interesting and the tempo was fast and furious. However, Nani lacks Rooney's experience and calmness. Thus, there were so many chances that he balloons it off.
And, Owen Hargreaves is becoming more and more of a right back. Like I said earlier, he now dares to go forward to help in attack. The problem with his current role is, if he goes down to attack, his area will be exposed because no one can helps him as Ferdinand often helps to attack as well. And Brown, as much as he is a better player now, he's often caught napping in situations where you need his full concentrations.
I just hope that Vidic and Evra could be back for the finals. Against Liverpool, that's it. Why would I want Liverpool to proceed and meet United in Moscow? Simply because I want to see the tops clubs in England, with so much successes between them to fight it out and tell the world who's simply the best. And, hence eliminating the unnecessary rivalry. And, Chelsea is not ready to be even in the finals cos they only know how to fight among themselves! Ooh yeah.. maybe Roman Abromovich would pay $$ to make sure Chelsea is in the finals. Afterall, its his home country!
Fingers crossed. Man United vs Liverpool. UEFA Champions League 2007/2008 Finals. 21st May 2008. Moscow.
Till then, may the BPL title goes to Old Trafford on 11th May 2008.
