Manchester United Hold Advantage
Late Goal Secures Win over AC Milan in CL Semi-Final at Old Trafford
Manchester United made a late comeback to take the advantage ahead of next week's Champions League semi-final second leg game in Italy.
Manchester United achieved their first victory over AC Milan in the Champions League semi-final clash at Old Trafford. Having had the perfect start, going ahead inside six minutes, United found themselves behind at the interval, AC Milan scoring with two goals from Kaka. However, in the second half Wayne Rooney scored a double to give United the vital lead for next week’s second leg in the San Siro Stadium in Milan. Although, with time running out, it had looked as if the game was going to end all square but with only a minute remaining a quick break from United saw captain, Ryan Giggs, play the ball to Rooney who fired past Dida to send Sir Alex Ferguson and all the home support into raptures.
Manchester United’s injury problems meant that Sir Alex Ferguson had to be resourceful with his team selection, especially in defence. With Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic and Mikael Silvestre injured John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Heinze and Evra formed an unfamiliar back line. Louis Saha’s absence meant Wayne Rooney partnered Christiano Ronaldo as the strikers.
AC Milan had their Brazilian goalkeeper, Dida, available having recovered from a shoulder injury.
In a cautious opening United had the better of the play and went ahead when Dida’s mistake from a Ryan Giggs’ corner, saw him push Ronaldo’s header into the air and on into the net. While United had the advantage, Milan always had the threat of Kaka to worry the home defence and after twenty minutes he brought the teams level.
In a highly contested game it was Milan who took the advantage when Kaka scored again after thirty five minutes, taking advantage of poor defending by United. Milan were now in the driving seat a goal ahead and with two vital away goals.
For the second half Milan lost their captain and experienced defender Paolo Maldini with a knee injury and then Gattuso also had to go off with a similar problem. However, Kaka was a constant threat to United but on the hour a perfect pass from Paul Scholes found Wayne Rooney who equalised.
This lifted United and they went in search of a goal to give them the advantage going into the second game. Milan’s ageing defence were fully tested in the last thirty minutes with Dida making a number of crucial saves. Just as it looked as if they were going to hold out Giggs and Rooney master-minded the perfect comeback and restored United’s lead with only a minute remaining.
Both teams will take satisfaction from this result – United pleased with their comeback to take a one goal lead to Italy and AC Milan feeling that they handled United well at Old Trafford and managed to score two away goals. They will also feel that United will be concerned about how to deal with Kaka next week as he was a constant thorn in their flesh this evening.
There’s still a great deal to play for in this semi-final clash and both clubs will be convinced that they can make that Champions League Final in Athens in the middle of May.
