United to Get Past AC Milan
Manchester United Hold Lead in Champions League Semi-Final Clash
Manchester United are looking to maintain their solitary goal advantage over AC Milan as they strive to reach the Champions League Final in Athens in mid-May.
Going to the San Siro with a 3-2 lead from the first leg last week – is it enough to take Manchester United to their third European Cup/Champions League Final?
Manchester United have problems in defence with numerous injury worries and Evra who is suspended. They have been stretched over the past number of games with players playing out of position so Sir Alex Ferguson is waiting as long as possible to see if Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic will be able to play. The return of either of those players would be a great boost for United who will have worries about how the defence will cope with Kaka who scored both goals for AC Milan at Old Trafford. He was a constant threat to the United defence and the return of Ferdinand or Vidic would give the defence greater solidity.
While United have injury worries about defenders,AC Milan also have concerns over their defence. Their experienced defenders didn’t cover themselves with glory at Old Trafford, especially in the second half. Having taken a 2-1 lead, Italian teams of old would have closed the game down and ensured their victory. However, the experience and age of the AC Milan players did not work in their favour.
Brazilian goalkeeper, Dida who recovered from injury to play last week came in for severe criticism over his performance, and questions were asked about the first and third goals that he conceded. Also, in the second half, the Italian defence failed to cope with the pace and strength of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney. Such a problem could rise again if the home side are pushing forward for a goal, they would appear to be vulnerable to an attack on the break and United are very quick and clinical in those situations. The loss of Maldini and Gattuso in the second half at Old Trafford was a serious blow to Milan and while Gattuso is expected to return, Maldini will not have recovered in time. While Kaka is certainly their jewel in the crown, United have a number of players capable of rising to the occasion and putting the game beyond AC Milan.
A fear for a number of players is that if they receive a yellow card on the night, they will automatically miss the Final should their team progress. Only too aware of this danger is Paul Scholes who missed the 1999 Final win over Bayern Munich through suspension. Again, he is only a card away from missing out – he will have to play with caution in the red-hot atmosphere that will encapsulate the San Siro stadium. In a similar situation for United are Giggs, Heinze and Ronaldo. The only AC Milan player in that position is defender Paolo Maldini who seems unlikely to play.
The pace of United’s strike force may prove decisive and give them the edge to secure a place in the Final in Athens and make it the first all-English Champions League Final on 23rd May.
