First thing, this was an incredibly open match, something you don't often see in the Champion's League. Both clubs were bombing forward, creating loads of chances, trying to score at every opportunity, and generally leaving themselves wide open to counter attacks. It could have very easily been 5-5 at halftime, United's 2-0 lead at that point flattered to deceive. Each side came way with a point, but I suspect the Swiss club's changing room was a far cheerier place. They got a point at Old Trafford. Alex Ferguson can't be happy with 2 points from two matches in Europe.
However, Ferguson only has himself to blame. Possibly the biggest reason United has run rampant in the Premier League this season is the Scot's willingness to let his high octane youngsters run free. He has put the reins on in Europe though. Maybe wisdom is the better part of valor, but Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, and Park Ji-Sung didn't look experienced and composed, they looked slow and unimaginative.
This is not a new problem. Ferguson has always been conservative in European matches, often too conservative. You can make an argument (and many people have) that given the talent and resources at his disposal, and the teams he has assembled, Sir Alex should have more than two Champion's League trophies. Since he took over in 1986, AC Milan have won it 5 times, Barcelona have won it 4 times, and Real Madrid have won it 3 times. Hell, Porto have won it as many times as Manchester United.
Suffice it to say, it will be very interesting over the next few months to see if the hot shot youngsters that are tearing apart the EPL will be allowed to strut their stuff in the midweek matches. I don't think they will, and this timidness will prevent Ferguson's lifting of a third European Cup.
1 comment:
Best. Manager. Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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