iSporter Chirag Mansukhani analyses the action at Old Trafford where United won 3-2 against Bayern Munich but lost the quarter final with an aggregrate score of 4-4.
It was another glorious European night and the stars were well and truly out. A pleasant surprise was the fact that Wayne Rooney started the game for the Red Devils although it has to be said that the talisman was far from one hundred percent fit.
The game started off with a flurry of chances for the hosts and they were quick to get on the score sheet. The first goal came as early as the third minute of the game when Rafael passed the ball to Rooney who laid the ball in the path of Darren Gibson. Some of us may have been wondering why Sir Alex chose to start Gibson; but the young man made no mistake and scored an absolute beauty of a goal tucking the ball safely in the back of the net justifying Sir Alex’s faith in his selection.
The game was only just heating up as in the seventh minute Valencia went down the right wing and put a great ball into the penalty area and found Nani who duly obliged with a nice back heel into the corner of the Bayern net.
If one thought this was as exciting as it gets; then guess again because the game seemed to be getting only better, especially at this moment if you’re a United fan. Carrick had a shot in the 12th minute when the Bayern defense and goalkeeper seem to have fallen asleep. Mid way through the first half Rooney suffered a knock to his ankle and seemed to be uncomfortable for the remaining time he spent on the pitch.
In the 41st minute a throw from Rafael found Valencia who once again sent a terrific ball into the penalty area bypassing Wayne Rooney right into the path of Nani. Nani once again didn’t disappoint. By this time it is fair to say that Manchester United were on fire and everything seemed to be falling into place
At the stroke of halftime, when it was least expected Bayern Munich managed to pull a goal back through Olic as the United defense were caught off guard. The defending was scrappy to say the least and the goal meant that Bayern would go into the second half with a glimmer of hope.
At half time the score was 3-1 in the favour of the Red Devils who lead the tie on aggregate at this stage 4-3. The second half certainly was set up to be a belter as this exciting tie came to its final forty five minutes.
Bayern came out in the second half with renewed vigour and in the 50th minute Ribery was brought down by Rafael. Rafael who had already been booked in the first half was given a second yellow and was duly sent off by the referee. The game all of a sudden looked to be making a dramatic turn around as Bayern continued to pressurize the United defense.
Come the 55th minute and Rooney came off for John O’ Shea who was given the task of protecting the slim lead that Manchester United had. For Wayne Rooney it was relief as his injury seemed to be bothering him and his impact was rather minimal. Rooney played for a brave fifty five minutes and it has to be said that the presence of the magician is enough to lift the spirits of the team.
Bayern continued to press forward and Ribery had a great shot on target in the 58th minute of the game which was saved by Van der Sar. Bayern still pressed on and were doing their best at this stage to break down the ten men of United.
It was only a matter of time and as they say “Cometh the hour Cometh the man” as Robben stepped up to the plate stroking a terrific volley in to the net from a Ribery corner. At this stage heaven seemed to have closed its doors on the champions of England.
In the 80th minute on came Berbatov and Ryan Giggs to try and turn the game. However no matter what United threw at the German giants at this stage was too little too late and Bayern soaked up the pressure rather well. The final whistle didn’t go off a minute too soon for the Bayern fans. One has to feel for United though who played a terrific match and one felt they deserved to win. For Bayern though, it was revenge at last. United had beaten Bayern in the 1999 final.
It was heart break though for Manchester United who went out 4-4 on aggregate due to the away goals rule. As for Bayern it was sweet revenge and it was none other than the silent killer Arjen Robben who sent the German giants into the last four much like he scored for them in the nick of time in the last round against Fiorentina. All said and done it will be the German giants in the last four against Lyon for a place in the final at Madrid.
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