Funny enough, before kick-off, all United fans would have taken a 3-2 win at the San Siro but after seeing the game, there is that feeling of injustice that we did to ourselves. Many would have preferred the scoring to end at 1-3 to United. As fate would have it however, Milan pulled a goal back courtesy of Seedorf, who I must say I'm glad didn't start.
United treated us to a nervy start that only increased the tension in yours truly. I mean that was just about as nervy as any football side can get. A couple of friends of mine were still taking their seats when Evra failed to make a telling clearance and Ronaldinho scored via Carrick's boot, a goal that would have been termed as an own goal if he were playing for United.
It was no more than Milan deserved but again you thought that United would respond; instead, they gave the Italians licence to roam in our half and certainly through our defence with little or no checks. Whatever Evans and Ferdinand ate last night.....at least Sir Alex shared my thoughts, because goodness me, we could have been up to 3-0 down in that first half hour.
I said in my preview for the game that Dida was past his best. This is one goalkeeper that will, on current form guarantee yo a goal a game. It was therefore not surprising to see that our next few efforts on target ended up in the back of the net. Scholes was fortunate to score, but again Milan were fortunate in their early goal as well. After the break, United were pretty much better but up to that point we owed our status in the game to EVDS who kept out Pirlo's drive.
Rooney then found the Milan defence wanting. He headed home twice in a little under a quarter an hour and at that point, we were all but through to the last eight. Sadly though, our players slept again and Seedorf had the luxury of 'back-side footing' home.
His goal means that Milan is well and truly alive in the tie so we have to keep our wits about them come 10th March.
APPORTIONING THE BLAME:
Evra is responsible for Milan's early lead as he could have done better with that clearance.
Evans was guilty of giving Hunteelar all the respect and space he needed.
Rafael was a bit too shaky on Ronaldinho--for a player that is blessed with tricks, yo tread softly. A little more judgement here Rafa....oh and by the way, nice haircut!
Ferdinand seems way off his fitness levels of a season back.
Scholes wanted more time than he was afforded on the ball--thankfully he managed to put his game. One or two misplaced passes from him could have cost us.
I thought Fletcher and Park were not at fault for anything.
Nani needs to learn a little of what Rooney wants. To be fair to him, Nani was delaying his passes in the box to allow more players in but Rooney will not care if he's in alone so long as the ball is put in. His two goals testify to that.
At the end of the day, United did do what I think counts, and that is take some of the chances that come your way. If we manage to get through, it will less likely be that we played better than Milan but rather that we took our chances when they came in that first leg.
It's now a record 16 away games without defeat in the Champions League.
Wayne Rooney now stands at a personal best 25 goals---30 can't be an impossibility now!
Labels: UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
