AC Milan vs Manchester United is easily one of the biggest matches in world club football. And, when these giants were drawn against each other in the 2009-2010 Champions League’s Round of 16 stage, it was a much-awaited clash. iSporter Siddharth Panjwani makes his debut with the action from San Siro
The first leg played at San Siro on February 16, 2009, lived up to the pre-match hype as both teams put on a scintillating display of top-class football. The match also saw former Manchester United star David Beckham taking on his former team in the red and black stripes of AC Milan.
Beckham, who was very emotional about playing against his former club, played to his potential and assisted his team to score the first goal. Before the match, Beckham said: “It is going to be an emotional game. As a Manchester United fan, this is the first time I would want them to lose.”
Ronaldinho gave the Milan supporters a lot to cheer about when he scored the opening goal of the match in only the 3rd minute off a Beckham free kick. The opening goal was a result of Patrice Evra’s muffed-up clearance, which was quickly pounced on by Ronaldinho, who hammered in a shot off Michael Carrick past Manchester United’s goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
Milan were on the attack for most of the first half, but failed to make the most of the opportunities coming their way. Manchester United’s defence was opened up quite a few times in the first half with open chances to Ronaldinho, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Luca Antonini who smashed his shot wide of the post from 10 meters. Paul Scholes’ goal in the 36th minute gave a shimmer of hope to the visitors and the first half ended at 1-1.
Scholes’ goal rejuvenated Manchester United, and the visiting side dominated most of the second half. Mid-way through the second half, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson replaced Nani, who was not at his best and brought on Valencia to pace up the attack. Valencia made an impression as soon as he came on with his cross from the right wing being headed past Milan goalkeeper Dida by Wayne Rooney in the 66th minute to give Manchester United a 2-1 lead.
Valencia outpaced Milan’s 38-year-old defender Giuseppe Favalli and created a few more chances for the visitors from the right flank. Rooney headed another past Dida in the 74th minute off Duncan Fletcher’s cross to give Manchester United a 3-1 lead. Milan’s defence was horribly exposed in this attack as Fletcher’s cross easily found the unmarked Rooney.
Ronaldinho, who was the star player for Milan, created a number of chances for his team in either half. In the 85th minute, Ronaldinho’s pass from the left wing was back heeled into the net by substitute Clarence Seedorf to keep the hosts alive in the contest.
Milan renewed their attack after the second strike, but as in the first half failed to convert any further opportunities to level the score. While Fillipo Inzhagi missed a straight forward chance and hit the ball over the cross bar, Thiago Silva headed high of a corner in the ending moments of the match. Milan could not equalise and head to Old Trafford trailing 2-3.
Milan need to win at Old Trafford to qualify for the quarterfinals with a margin of at least two goals. They need to be more clinical and need to finish well. It would have been a different game had Milan converted their chances. Milan need to keep the ball possession and be positive in their next clash with the Red Giants in three weeks time. The ageing legs of Milan’s defence need to be alert against the lightening pace of Rooney, Nani, Fletcher and Valencia and need to mark them a lot better than they did at home.
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