United Given A Lesson In Football

Manchester United 1 - Barcelona 3
Scorers
Manchester United: Rooney (34)
Barcelona: Pedro (27), Messi (54), Villa (69)


Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Fabio (Nani 69), Evra, Carrick (Scholes 77), Giggs, Park, Valencia, Rooney, Hernandez

It wasn't even close. After bossing the Premier League, United were on the wrong end of the footballing scales and a fish out of water against an incredible Barcelona team, that in my opinion is probably the best footballing side to ever grace the world.


Barring the first 10 minutes, where we worked our socks off to make a semblence of a fight, the rest of the game was all Barcelona. After finding their feet, they went on to completely and utterly dominate the ball and got a deserved lead when Pedro scored for the Catalans.

We pulled one back when they fell asleep 7 minutes later with a well worked out goal which involved Carrick, Giggs and Rooney, but that was probably all that we could muster against the masters of the game. They had such complete control of the ball that we were made to look like a pub team....a very poor pub team. I've mentioned before just how poor our midfield was, and we barely had a sniff of the ball the entire game.

While Van der Sar, Rio and Vidic had superb games to keep the scoreline respectable, Evra was missing from his position all night long. Evra's had some bad night before, but this probably has to rank right up there as one of the poorest EVER.

Barcelona's master class finally broke thru in the second half with goals from Messi and Villa. Only Van der Sar's sheer brilliance prevented a worse whipping for the men in red. As long as this Barcelona remains, Ferguson will have a hard time finding European glory, especially with this midfield that is barely good enough in England, let alone against the prowess of a team like Barcelona.

It's back to the drawing board for Ferguson, and we can only hope with a substantial, rumoured warchest, we'd be able to bring in some real midfielders.

Scholes' Screamer Set Up Moscow Date

Manchester United 1 - Barcelona 0
Scorers
Manchester United: Scholes (15)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Brown, Evra (Silvestre 90), Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes (Fletcher 77), Park, Nani (Giggs 77), Ronaldo, Tevez

What a nerve-wrecking end to the game. I almost peed my pants watching it. We hung on resolutely against waves of Barcelona attacks to set up an all English finals in Moscow.

Before the game started, there was already bad news. Rooney and Vidic were both ruled out via the injuries sustained over the weekend. The game itself didn't start off too brightly either. Just as in the first leg, Barcelona commanded the midfield and controlled possession. And just as in the first leg, did little with it.

A rare foray forward, caught the Barcelona defense in sixes and sevens, and a weak clearance found its way to Scholes. Not needing a second invitation to shoot, Scholes sent a screamer, curled into the top right hand corner. It was a majestic goal, worthy of a match winner. Scholes had definitely won a starting place in the finals on merit.

The rest of the game was mostly spent in United's half as Barcelona pressed for the all important equalizer. However United did have the better chances created on the counter.

In truth, it was a poor game played by both teams in terms of attacking. There was very little cutting edge attacking play. The difference was in the defence. We contained better than the Spaniads and won as a result. That said, it was still tension-filled last 15 or so minutes.

Looks like I need to start doing previews, since it helped break the jinx. ;o)

Uninspiring, Dull Game

Barcelona 0 - Manchester United 0

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Brown, Evra, Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Ronaldo, Tevez (Giggs 85), Rooney (Nani 76)

I had a ridiculously long day today, and really should have gone to sleep. The game being played at such an ungodly hour in Singapore only made it more exhausting. Yet it was the semi-finals against Barcelona. Given the attacking prowess on display from both sides, it was a game that should have had goals written all over.

We had returned to Nou Camp, a place of happy memories. The last time we came here, we plundered Europe's greatest silverware against all odds, despite playing some of the most uninspiring football. The result, though, was anything but uninspiring on that night.

Today, we came facing the hosts, and came away with a goalless draw, putting out some of the dullest football we've played all season. Despite the embarassing amount of talent put up by both sides, it churned out some of the tamest displays.

The game started with so much promise when United were awarded a penalty as early as the 2nd minute. Ronaldo, who has been stellar this season, stood forward to take it. Probably still not warmed up yet, Ronaldo put the penalty wide, spurning the best chance of the game. The early goal would have had a drastically different impact on the game.

The entire first half, and most of the second half was just all about Barcelona laying siege and getting nowhere with our 10 defenders pitching tent. We had absolutely nothing to show as an attacking force, while Barcelona was giving their fans a poor impression of an impotent man trying to score.

It was an absolute pain to watch. Had it not for the fact I was kept awake by a punt I made regarding the number of corners in the game I probably would have given up and gone to bed. Instead I'm still up, grouchily typing this review.

To illustrate just how poor this game was, Henry had Barcelona's first meaningful shot in the 83rd minute. Until then, Van der Sar didn't really have much to do.

Honestly I can't help but feel we could rue this goalless draw. Sure we didn't concede. But on the other side of the same coin, we didn't get an away goal either.

What this means is that we have to play at OT to win the game. Barcelona are no mugs, and when we push for the win, they could very well nick an away goal, making our task doubly difficult. Given Barcelona's vulnerability in defense and the fact that they were without their captain and main defender Puyol, this should have been our best chance to get the all important away goal.

I suppose at the end of the day, we've just got to be thankful we camped 10 men in our half and came away with a draw against the mighty Barcelona. *sarcasm fully intended*

Ah well, at least there is this Saturday to look forward to. Kicking Chelsea square in the nuts and winning the Premiership at Stamford Bridge would be so much more fun. Alternatively, we could once again park the bus infront of goal, frustrate the hell outta Chelsea and play for a draw, afterall we sure had alot of practise today.