iSporter Siddharth Panjwani pens down his post-match analysis on the most awaited Man Utd v AC Milan game played at the Old Trafford: His take on WHAT happened and WHY...
March 10, 2009 was an all important day for two of the best soccer playing clubs in the world. However, it was an unfair match-up as AC Milan and Manchester United faced each other in the second leg of the round of 16 – a round too early for either of these premier clubs to exit the Champions League. One of the teams had to lose and in the end “pace” beat “experience” in the race at Old Trafford. AC Milan hoping to overturn their 2-3 deficit, yet again failed to convert the chances they had and their hopes to enter the last eight were crushed as the home side beat them 4-0.
David Beckham’s return to Old Trafford ended in disappointment as Milan was outplayed by Wayne Rooney’s master class performance. Beckham, who was playing at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ after seven years was given a euphoric reception on to the ground. He came on as a substitute in the second half with United leading 3-0 and Rooney again was the man responsible for Milan’s woes. Milan’s defence, which was once considered to be the best in the world, was again exposed by the Red Devils.
The Rossoneri had beaten Manchester United in all their European contests but to turn a 2-3 deficit at Old Trafford was always difficult. The phrase “Not every history repeats” was proved right. The ageing legs of Milan’s defenders had no answer to pace of the home side’s forward line. Milan certainly missed their key players, Alessandro Nesta and Pato for the big clash. The lack of experience at the back resulted in four balls in their net. Milan never looked organised at the back and the home side converted almost every chance that came their way.
Man United exploited the lack of pace of the Italian soccer giants and kept crossing the ball from the wings finding their talisman striker—Rooney – almost every single time. Even in the first leg at San Siro, Rooney, Valencia and Nani outpaced Milan’s defenders and continued to do so at home. Milan did not learn from their mistakes in the first leg and gifted their opponents a place in last eight of the Champions League.
Milan coach, Leonardo’s strategy of not starting with Beckham and Clarance Seedorf, who gave them a glimmer of hope by scoring in the 85th minute at San Siro did not pay off and the visitors were already trailing by the time he introduced experience in the midfield. Seedorf and Beckham came on for defenders with Milan planning for an all attack strategy which resulted in the likes of of Flamini and Andrea Pirlo handling the defence.
Ronaldinho, who was the star for Milan at San Siro, did not have much of the ball and could not cut through the defence of the visitors. Sir Alex Ferguson started with Gary Neville to stop Ronaldinho and the tactic worked as the visitors could create only a few chances which they failed to convert.
It was a tactical error on Milan’s part starting with lack of experience in such a big game. It was always a mountainous task and if Beckham, Seedorf, Dida and Fillipo Inzaghi had started, it could have been a different game altogether.
Congratulations to Manchester United and wish them all the best for their run in Champions League. Milan who are behind Real Madrid in the number of Champions League titles will look to come back strongly next year and regain the title as they did in 2003 and 2007 under their legendary captain Paolo Maldini.
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... Saying that "if Beckham, Seedorf, Dida and Fillipo Inzaghi had started, it could have been a different game altogether.", is outrageous!!! Seedorf might have made a difference. But Dida!!! He cant stop the ball for nuts. Dont know why Milan has persisted with him for so long. Still remember his horrendous goal keeping at Old Trafford few years back. Inzaghi is a spent force at best and suggesting that he would have troubled a back 4 comprising of Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra and Neville is like day-dreaming. Manchester United DEMOLISHED Milan and no different combination of players could have saved Milan. Such was their class yesterday. |
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