Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Manchester United came from behind

Manchester United came from behind to win a thrilling Champions League last-16 first leg 3-2 away to Milan thanks to a Wayne Rooney headed brace.

Milan took an early lead through a deflected Ronaldinho volley only to see a fortunate Paul Scholes strike level matters before half-time.
Rooney finished both headers brilliantly for a 3-1 lead before substitute Clarence Seedorf, who had replaced starter David Beckham, flicked in at the near post to set up a late charge from the hosts.
Michael Carrick was sent off after picking up a second yellow card in injury-time.
The vociferous home fans were given an electric start by their side when Brazilian magician Ronaldinho, in form and always with an eye for the quickest route to goal, watched the ball drop near the corner of the box.
His volley to the near post was covered by Edwin van der Sar but struck Carrick and spun in past the Dutchman's outstretched leg.
The chance had arrived following a Beckham free-kick from near halfway on the right which was almost cleared by the scissor-kicking Patrice Evra. Beckham, facing his boyhood side for the first time, was restricted to angled drives from deep throughout his 72 minutes on the field.
United saw a fair bit of the ball but struggled to create anything in the final third whereas Milan were more incisive on the counter, led by the resurgent Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato.
The former went past Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the box following a couple of stepovers and could have had a free-kick or even penalty as he was blocked off the ball.
At the other end Rooney was becoming frustrated by Nani's inability to deliver an accurate cross. The striker was booked before the break.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar fired wide for Milan after spinning off Ferdinand and on to a Massimo Ambrosini pass and it looked like only one side would be capable of scoring on the night.

United had not scored in four visits to face Milan in the San Siro in Europe, but that was to change on 36 minutes when Scholes angled into the penalty area.
Darren Fletcher, played in by Park Ji-Sung on the right, found his run and the ball came off Scholes's supporting leg after he missed his volley with his right foot.
Ronaldinho tested Van der Sar with a dipping strike after turning away from a double United challenge in midfield and he also went close 16 minutes into the second half, a dipping strike just palmed past the far post.
Before that Andrea Pirlo's perfect strike from 35 yards out was also tipped away by the keeper while Pato headed over from a Giuseppe Favalli cross when left unmarked near the penalty spot.

No comments:

Post a Comment