Cristiano Ronaldo launches a penalty kick wide left to start the game.Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United
It appears that the last minute scratching of United central defender Nemenja Vidic from the lineup due to stomach ailments may have changed the tactics of Sir Alex Ferguson as the Red Devils dropped unexpectedly back into a defensive posture for almost the entirety of the first leg of their tie against Barca at Camp Nou Wednesday night. Perhaps the complexion of the match would have changed had Cristiano Ronaldo converted his hand ball penalty kick at the 2nd minute mark. Instead the ball sailed safely outside the left goalpost of Victor Valdes' net, much to the relief of the 90,000+ who witnessed the game firsthand, and United appeared content to play for the 0-0 draw for the ensuing 90 minutes. The match encapsulated Barca's 07-08 campaign, all possession and no bite, as they dominated with 65% of the play, but precious few gilt-edged chances on net. Lionel Messi was in sparkling form though only recently back from injury, but could not finish any of his chances. Samuel Eto'o should have done better on at least two occasions. Credit United's backline and midfield, in particular Patrice Evra, for absorbing wave after wave of Barca attack. United must be tipped with the slight advantage as the tie heads to Old Trafford next Tuesday, though their failure to secure an own goal gives Barcelona the edge should the Catalans manage to score.
It appears that the last minute scratching of United central defender Nemenja Vidic from the lineup due to stomach ailments may have changed the tactics of Sir Alex Ferguson as the Red Devils dropped unexpectedly back into a defensive posture for almost the entirety of the first leg of their tie against Barca at Camp Nou Wednesday night. Perhaps the complexion of the match would have changed had Cristiano Ronaldo converted his hand ball penalty kick at the 2nd minute mark. Instead the ball sailed safely outside the left goalpost of Victor Valdes' net, much to the relief of the 90,000+ who witnessed the game firsthand, and United appeared content to play for the 0-0 draw for the ensuing 90 minutes. The match encapsulated Barca's 07-08 campaign, all possession and no bite, as they dominated with 65% of the play, but precious few gilt-edged chances on net. Lionel Messi was in sparkling form though only recently back from injury, but could not finish any of his chances. Samuel Eto'o should have done better on at least two occasions. Credit United's backline and midfield, in particular Patrice Evra, for absorbing wave after wave of Barca attack. United must be tipped with the slight advantage as the tie heads to Old Trafford next Tuesday, though their failure to secure an own goal gives Barcelona the edge should the Catalans manage to score.
4 comments:
fairfax locals should be encouraged with an impressive performance from messi, deco and the rest of barca. but didn't have much of a finishing touch, which likely will come to haunt them in the end...
tough to get too cocky based on that performance.
And Senor Messi....!!!! wish we had him
Happy to see Barca's return to form and Camp Nou rallying behind the team. Zambrotta was my man of the match -- that Azzuri defense!
SAF won't play it as safe on the home leg, though. Real Marin is popping high blood pressure meds and bracing for Old Trafford.
For me, it was Deco who put in the yeoman's effort in this match. Having not touched the pitch since early March, his first minutes back are as a starter in the Champions League semis no less. Having suffered months of rumor and innuendo in the Spanish press about whether he was truly injured I think he put to rest any questions about his class as a midfielder.
As for the match... well, this is a perfect reflection of Barca's play all year... dominate possession but fail to score. The only silver lining is that they played with an intensity that we haven't seen in weeks. Still, having nothing to show for it hurts. Only solace is the clean sheet.
I was very surprised to see United sit back so much. Patrice Evra's control of Messi was impressive. I expect a totally different United in the return leg at Old Trafford.
Very concerned the 'Theater of Dreams' will quickly turn to the 'Theater of Nightmares' for the blaugrana faithful. We'll be watching with one hand over our eyes and the other on a bottle of vino.
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