4 people have said their bit on “Internazionale 0 – 0 Manchester United”

The first half was as good an away performance as i’ve seen from any team in the champions league, utd were outstanding, ronaldo was brilliant, in the second half obviously inter were going to come back into it with home advantage and all, but it was still pretty comfortable bearing in mind that roon and vid didn’t start, but the persistant worry this season is that we’re just not scoring goals, with the fire power we have we have to start putting teams to the sword, the second leg will now be a tense affair

Reply
Pat j on February 25th, 2009 9:23 am

The tension built up to the match was simply too much. The media focus on Mourinho proud track record against SAF’s plus Manu, and his calculated emphasis about it plus other smart commentaries also makes the reigning champion played too conservatively.

Mourinho was never a Special One to me, but a Blessed One… I am not doubting he is a top quality football manager, but I would also be sure that he will be a popular psychologist or psychiatrist, motivation guru, or even a good politician if he was not in football.

Back to the match. Manu was the better team for all to see. If they have been less tense, the weight and accuracy of the those crucial defence splitting passes created would not have gone astray so many times, esp in the 1st half. Manu would have scored at least 2 goals.

As Captain, Giggs did not perform. He was as nervous as anyone and should learn from Keano. Rio was no better in calming his backline. Surprisingly, Berbatov was not the typical Mr Cool we were use to watching. If the trio (leading roles in the forward, midfield and back lines) had been calmer….

If SAF have not too much respect for Mourinho and over-rated Inter, and simply played the Manu way and less conservative, and starts with either Tevez or Rooney instead of Park, or substitue Berbatov, Giggs or Park early in the 2nd half, Manu might have returns home with a mighty advantage….

Now, it makes all Manu fans nervous as Inter needs only a score draw to qualify for the next stage. This is the aftermath of Mourinho’s typical psychological built up to the 1st game. What a waste SAF and you fall for it again!! Obviously your nerve was affected and that is why the team you sent out displayed it.

When facing Mourinho, you must too learn to tell them repeatedly how much you adored and respect them, how wonderful they are, they are simply the best or at least better than the best of your opponents….., and until every single players is hypnotized into believing it is the truth and will give their arms and legs playing for him, the Special One….

If any players are not ’spell bind’ or at least pretend to be, the consequence are obvious…., no matter how good or expensive he may be.

SAF must ignore the past records and what he hurrah to the press, simply study Inter matches, and Manu will surely come out on top.

Inter is simply over over-rated!!!!!

Singapore
Eddy

Reply
Eddy Cheng on February 25th, 2009 10:05 am

@Pat j: You wont see a more one sided 0 – 0 in the Champions League. I agree on the scoring front, I just hope not scoring in the away leg doesn’t come back to bite us in the arse!!

@Eddy Cheng: myself, I was a little suprised at Fergie’s line-up and tactics. Do you remember the trip to the Nou Camp last year when United played Stoke City tactics and sat everyone behond the ball? Fergie calls is discipline, I call it defending for your life. I expected united to play far more defensive than usual and although you could see the caution in the play, they still managed to create a load of chances. As Pat says, it’s worrying we’re not taking the chances.

We’ll beat Inter at Old Trafford though wont we? Especially if they perform like they did last night

Reply
Bill McGlone on February 25th, 2009 12:46 pm

Sorry, Bill: ‘The ball is round’. SAF and his coaching staffs got it wrong for the 1st leg. Remember, last season setback against Portsmouth in the FA Cup. We just a whisker away from achieving the treble again! The best team doesn’t necessary win, and as football fans, I am sure we have witnessed enough matches to confirm this fact. Although Inter is over-rated but don’t forget that they are another level above Portsmouth. We were indeed fortunate against Chelsea in the CL final. Who would’ve expected Terry to slip while taking the all-winning penalty? I truly pity him as it is going to haunt him for life…

I am obviously concern about the 2nd leg. The forwards have not been sharp enough to turn the opportunities into goals, except for Rooney. Tevez and Ronaldo were wasteful and blasting mostly way out of target. Berbatov has yet to convince me of his worth, although he is very good at holding up play upfront for others. But, credit to his assists. Nonetheless, I believe he has not yet fully blend into the ManU style. He must learn to up the tempo and improve his ability to strike or volley early. If only we can blend him and Tevez together…

I think SAF was too concerned with the Carling Cup final. He should have either started with Rooney or Tevez instead of Park. No doubt, Park is a workhorse that will run up and down till his lungs burst, but there is no creativity and seldom managed to dribble through the last line. SAF have changed the way he played when he was with PSV. The attack would have been more potent with Rooney or Tevez.

SAF should have calm his players down. All the players were too tense up and were afraid to lose the ball. Hence, quite a number of golden scoring opportunity passes in the last third of the opponents half were wasted either through mis-timing, over-weigh and inaccuracy. Berbatov was surprisingly nervy and was a major culprit. Both should have been replaced early in the 2nd half. Giggs had missed the best chances, but he shouldn’t have express in the manner in which he was caught by the camera close-up. He should be reprimanding himself and apologising rather than trying to look lost and innocent BECAUSE he is the Captain.

Giggs, Scholes and Neville may be exemplary professional footballers. But Giggs and Scholes are no captain material. Neville is alright but his best playing days have long gone, and is not among the first XI. He is vocal and brave enough to commands the order of the day from his teammates. Giggs is too passive for such a role… As a fan, I am very happy to see how he has matured into an all rounder and fantastic central midfielder. But ManU now needs a more agressive and steely type characters like Keane, Robson, Cantona or even Ince.

I would have chosen Rio, but his tense performance at the back in the 1st leg gave me 2nd thought. Perhaps, we should give the priority to Vidic this time. After all, he played in every game for the record breaking run and the clean sheet was lost when he was absent. Rio shouldn’t be upset if Vidic upstaged him this time for sake of the team, bearing in mind ManU is on the verge of a historic quintuple. Let’s try out Vidic. He is regularly on the teamsheet, unlike the rest of the senior pack.

I am satisfied with the defence. Overall, O’Shea and Fletcher have improved the most. O’Shea was by far the calmest player in the Inter game. This season, he holds the ball better and his dribbling and defending skills have reached another level. What a pleasant surprise! It was also nice to see him guiding the younger players on the field. I am always happy to see Fletcher playing. He is one player whom you can trusts as a holding midfielder and destroyer. I only wish he can improves his striking/volley ability.

Overall, this season, Manu is stronger, most of the players have improved, the new players were good, and the defence solid. The only difference is Berbatov. The others have yet to click with him. The pattern of attack has changed slightly when Berbatov plays although he does add another dimension. But Berbatov must learn to be a bit more selfish, unpredictable, shoot from distance and improve his striking with just one or two touches. Last season, we can see how effective Rooney,Tevez and Ronny with the support from Giggs and Park coming from wide or deep, combined to tear up defences – AT FULL SPEED. Few defences could last the pace or sustain the pressure. With Berbatov playing, we are allowing opposing players to come back to cover the loopholes. He must definitely learn when to up the tempo as Rooney, Tevez and Ronny were used to heading and shooting with momentum. The understanding between Berbatov and the rests still needs some fine tuning.

Anyway, Inter returned match is make for Mourinho. He thrives on such types of games, and don’t forget he seems to have luck on his side. His motivational skills and mind games are exceptional. The rejuvenation of Ibra and Adriano are good examples. All the things he said to the press were mostly used to misled SAF and to cause anxiety. He knows Inter couldn’t matched ManU for pace and stamina, and overall strength. Inter played it tight and allows Manu to dictate pace for the 1st half, and come up strong in the 2nd. Yes, ManU should’ve have scored at least a goal in the 1st half. I am confident Rooney would done the job.

SAF should regret not starting with Rooney. Park wasn’t good enough, more importantly, he should’ve be substituted early in the 2nd. Not with 10 mins left – Rooney came out liked a raging bull only be yellow carded. What a waste!

Now Mourinho Game Plan A will be straightforward. Hold ManU scoreless for as long as possible. Play it tight, try to win possession, punt quick long ball up field to Ibra or Adriano with one or two pacy supports, and reserved energy for the last 20 minutes or so when ManU starts to be hesitant about throwing bodies forward and a bit tired out. And just in case the game goes into extra time.

Every supporters from both sides are anxiously waiting for the 2nd leg. The outcome will largely depends on which team score first. Rio was honest about it. For obvious reasons, the advantage is actually with Inter even though ManU has home court advantage. I hope ManU upfield passing will be crisp and the finishing equally sharp. If the right 1st XI members were fielded on that night, I am sure ManU will be at least 2 goals up on Inter.

The headache is now with SAF. Which 1st XI is the best combination? So far, all the players have perform well when call upon. Without a doubt, he has the strongest squad to date. BUT READ MY LIPS SAF, so to speak, NEVER put Giggs and Scholes together for any vital matches or against any top teams, not at this knockout stage. Too risky. Forget about Neville, he is over the hill. The team would never have achieve so many cleansheets if he was playing.

SAF, you were spot on when you stated that you could probably name your best 14 or 15. The defence is doing well and let us hope Rio and Vidic will be there against Inter.

My ideal 1st XI: Backline: O’Shea, Rio, Vidic, Evra (Sub: Rafael, Evan, Fabio, Eckersley)
Midfield: Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs (Sub: Scholes, Park, Anderson if available, Gibson) Forward: Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez (Sub: Berbatov, Welbeck, Nani)
The rest of the sub are secondary.

Let Ronaldo play as centre-forward and I am sure he will win lots of free-kicks after which Inter defenders would be hesitant to charge him down. Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez could easily interplay and switch position. They also have the speed and willingness to track back in time to defend. ManU can easily plays with 2 diamonds shape. Fletcher and Carrick combines well with each other as holding midfielder to protect the back 4. This should be the starting XI for the 1st half to get the early goals. Berbatov simply don’t have the killer reputation, instinct or physique to terrorise strong defenders. You can always used Berbatov, Park and Scholes in the 2nd half to change the pattern accordingly.

The MAIN objective is to score first. Trusts the defence to hold up or at least the forwards scoring more goals. I hope SAF will simply choose to ignore Mourinho big mouth. On the contrary, let Mourinho do the worrying this time and I am sure he must be based on what he seen on the 1st leg. Let us play to our strength in the ManU’s Way, and I am sure that’s what the fans over here want to see.

Eddy

Reply
Eddy Cheng on February 27th, 2009 5:53 am

Over to you ...

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