2008-2009 Champions League Round Of 16: Manchester United Knock Out Inter With 2-0 Win
March 14th 2009 15:54
In the lead-up to the second match opposing Manchester United and Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho openly boasted the fact that in his five visits at Old Trafford, he had only lost once. After a 0-0 draw at the San Siro, a 1-1 score would have been enough for the Nerazurri to go through. Unfortunately for them, Van der Sar's posts answered the call while his forwards put two goals past Julio Cesar in crucial moments to put the game beyond doubt.
United didn't waste time getting on the scoresheet with Vidic's header ending in the back of the net after only three minutes of play. On the set-piece, Patrick Vieira's coverage of the defender was simply pitiful as he could stop and stare at Vidic rising up to meet the ball. The home side was much looser after that, leading to some sloppy plays quickly picked up by Inter's midfielders. At the 28th minute, Ibrahimovic's header hit the crossbar while Stankovic's shot at the 36th was tipped away by Van der Sar. Inch by inch, Milan slowly started to control the game, and their mobility made passing a lot more easier than at the beginning of the game. Ibrahimovic, who was well covered by Ferdinand and Vidic, decided to move a lot more, measuring himself to both O'Shea and Evra in order to gain some advantage.
Since Inter mostly used the flanks to construct their attacks, Ferguson switched up Rooney and Giggs, putting the English striker on the left wing and leaving the veteran as a free-roaming player. The plan worked as Rooney's pace made Evra's job a lot more easier by tracking back and his crossing ability on the attack was used to the max. It was one of his crosses that led to United's second goal as Cristiano Ronaldo headed the beautifully weighted ball past Cesar.
When all is said and done, United weren't at their best on Wednesday but they still managed to come up with a win. Inter's mistake to me was to play both Cambiasso and Stankovic way too low in the opening stages of the game. Ibrahimovic had almost no support in the opening fifteen minutes and that's where the game was played. Ryan Giggs was hands down the best player on the field. Inter was so pre-occupied with shutting Ronaldo out that they didn't realize that the Portuguese winger spent the entire game on one side of the pitch (as opposed to his usual mobility) while Giggs darted in and out of Inter's midfield line showing off superb ball control and composure. United's stalwart was at the origin of both goals - he was the one who kicked the corner right on Vidic's head, and he was the one who found Rooney to set up Ronaldo. A great game for the veteran who still has the legs to perform at the highest level.
Manchester United's line-up: Edwin Van der Sar; John O'Shea, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Cristiano Ronado, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes (Anderson, 69th), Ryan Giggs; Wayne Rooney (Park Ji-Sung, 84th), Dimitar Berbatov.
United didn't waste time getting on the scoresheet with Vidic's header ending in the back of the net after only three minutes of play. On the set-piece, Patrick Vieira's coverage of the defender was simply pitiful as he could stop and stare at Vidic rising up to meet the ball. The home side was much looser after that, leading to some sloppy plays quickly picked up by Inter's midfielders. At the 28th minute, Ibrahimovic's header hit the crossbar while Stankovic's shot at the 36th was tipped away by Van der Sar. Inch by inch, Milan slowly started to control the game, and their mobility made passing a lot more easier than at the beginning of the game. Ibrahimovic, who was well covered by Ferdinand and Vidic, decided to move a lot more, measuring himself to both O'Shea and Evra in order to gain some advantage.
Since Inter mostly used the flanks to construct their attacks, Ferguson switched up Rooney and Giggs, putting the English striker on the left wing and leaving the veteran as a free-roaming player. The plan worked as Rooney's pace made Evra's job a lot more easier by tracking back and his crossing ability on the attack was used to the max. It was one of his crosses that led to United's second goal as Cristiano Ronaldo headed the beautifully weighted ball past Cesar.
When all is said and done, United weren't at their best on Wednesday but they still managed to come up with a win. Inter's mistake to me was to play both Cambiasso and Stankovic way too low in the opening stages of the game. Ibrahimovic had almost no support in the opening fifteen minutes and that's where the game was played. Ryan Giggs was hands down the best player on the field. Inter was so pre-occupied with shutting Ronaldo out that they didn't realize that the Portuguese winger spent the entire game on one side of the pitch (as opposed to his usual mobility) while Giggs darted in and out of Inter's midfield line showing off superb ball control and composure. United's stalwart was at the origin of both goals - he was the one who kicked the corner right on Vidic's head, and he was the one who found Rooney to set up Ronaldo. A great game for the veteran who still has the legs to perform at the highest level.
Manchester United's line-up: Edwin Van der Sar; John O'Shea, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Cristiano Ronado, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes (Anderson, 69th), Ryan Giggs; Wayne Rooney (Park Ji-Sung, 84th), Dimitar Berbatov.
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