Wednesday morning,Manchester United are up against the fancied Schalke 04 side away from home. Althought United was expected to face holders, Inter Milan, but the giant killer, Schalke 04 was quite tricky opposition side for United.
Schalke 04 coached by new appointed caretaker, Ralf Ragnick, had produces a fairytale journey in the most prestigious Champions League campaign. In their way to semi final, they thrashed holders, Inter Milan both away
and at home. With a solid performance from Manuel Neuer in the goal post and the clinical finish from the prolific Raul Gonzales, Schalke 04 had become a balance and consistent team in Europe.
However, the team are back down to earth in the first leg of the Champions League semi final when they were outclassed by the most organised Manchester United. United, which is the most consistent side in Europe alongside Barcelona, had never failed to reach the last four in their Champions League campaign for the last four seasons. In their latest encounter with the German club, they showed real quality of a team that has the best understanding for possession of the ball and fantastic philosophy of football.
Manchester United really standing tall in every phases of the game and Schalke 04 never ever gave United into some nerve. From the first minute until the final whistle, United showed a clean and consistent performance to keep Schalke 04 at bay. Schalke 04 never put United back four under pressure as they lack of idea and creativity in generating their offensive move while their back four were really hopeless to break the good work of United frontman.
In the first half, United enjoying their dominance in possession as they passing the ball freely all over the field. At some point, its really looks like a training session rather than a top flight football match. Schalke 04 failed to played aggressive and let United to control the game. Thankfully, Manuel Nuere was at his best to produce
world class saves to denied United from breaking the death-lock. United was not rushing to start their attack as the most impressive display of Michael Carrick was really hard to handle by the German side.
United should have a lead by four or five goals in the first half as all of their shot attempt was denied by the solid Manuel Neuer performance. Unlike United, Schalke 04 was hardly to break United defense as they was
outmuscled by United dominance. Their frontman even failed to strecth Edwin van Der Sar as they looked nervous and unmotivated to equalise United performance. Their midfield also failed to press the United players to be under pressure. Finally, the fisrt half ended goalless.
The second half began as United continued to keep the ball in their feet. They passed the ball neatly and organised as they controled the possession again. With determination and creativity, United finally take a lead as a pin-point passed from Rooney found Giggs to convert it to the back of the net with a cool finish. The Schalke 04 back four was really broke apart as they failed to react fast by the build-up of the goal. Huge relief for Sir Alex Ferguson to finally get their vital away goal. The next two minutes, United got their second goal. A long pass by Edwin van Der Sar feed on Antonio Valencia before he made a cool short pass to Javier Hernandes. Javier Hernandes cooly avoid his marker and assisting Rooney to struck a clinical finish past helpless Manuel Nuere. After leading by two goals, United loosen a bit their grip in possession by substituting both their striker with midfield players. United kept control the game until the final whistle blown by the referee.
Congratulation to Manchester United!!!
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