Manchester United v/s Shalke 04 - UCL

Hi everyone. It's been an ironic week of results in the last few days. For starters, all four semi-finalists - Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester Utd. and Shalke 04, all lost in their respective leagues. This tells you how much fatigue must be running through these squads as the footballing season ends in an exciting climax; for United and Barcelona supporters anyway.

Barcelona are the first team to have booked this years final berth after defeating Real Madrid last night over two legs with a 3-1 aggregate victory. United now look to confirm their place as the second finalist in this years most rewarding competition -  The UEFA Champions League. Manchester United host Shalke at home holding a two goal advantage away from home over their opponents. Its safe to say that United will surely not let it slip from their grip at this stage in the competition after acquiring such a good lead from the first leg in Germany. But you can never be too sure. And too cocky.

All the odds will favour Manchester United to go through to the finals against an inexperienced Shalke side. United are experienced; especially after reaching their third semi-final in four years having progressed through twice already and winning one final. They've also been more than formidable at home in the champions league. Two goals conceded, yet, they've emerged victorious. No losses to their name either. Also, Manchester United can soak up the pressure and still deliver.

Everyone's probably written off Shalke after their disastrous first leg defeat to United. No one really expected Shalke not to turn up and perform in front of their own fans with so much at stake. But maybe that's where the problem lies for the German bull dogs. When you least expect it, they strike. And how! They ripped Inter in their own backyard slamming 5 past the Italians. I think that when no one expects much of them, they rise up. Not to a challenge. Its not to prove anything to anyone. I generally feel that they have a go at it because, people would forget that they are still participating and they don't face the burden from expectant fans in unknown territory. There's less at stake at that moment and they live for that moment. Which is precisely why I feel, that they will be dangerous tonight against United. You cannot write them off or underestimate them. Thats when they perform. They're threatening all over the park. Their midfield gets revved up, and their attack, although unenviable, is frightening when these two units click in tandem. It's strange isn't it? But it's something that has worked for them. Having said that, I still feel that United will be a difficult place to come to and leave with that decisive victory.

Here's what you need to know.
First Leg : Shalke 0-2 United
Second Leg : Shalke need to win by a difference of two goals other than a 2-0 win.
This will take it to extra time.
If they win 3-1, then its Shalke that go through on the away goals rule having scored 3 away from home against United's 2 even though the aggregate ( total score ) reads 3-3.

So should Shalke win 3-1, 4-2, 5-3 or 6-4, they go through courtesy of the Away goals rule.
If Shalke win 3-2, 4-3, 5-4 or 6-5, United go through. Courtesy of the Away goals rule.
If Shalke win 1-0, the it's who United go through. Again, courtesy of the Away goals rule.
If Shalke win 2-0, they then take United to Extra Time which is another 30 minutes of game time.
The same away goals rule applies here as well. If Shalke score one more, the score line reads 3-0 and the Aggregate score reads 3-2. Hence United then need to score two more goals. The score line then reads 3-2. And the Aggregate score reads 3-4. But United win the over all tie because they scored more goals than Shalke.

Now I didn't need to explain it but I wanted to. Just in case none of of you were familiar with the Away goals rule. It's a real pain but If any one understood it, I'm happy.

If not, I'll explain later... when the season concludes.

Basically, I don't see Shalke winning this one but you cannot be too sure. United will be playing a slightly understrength side; with experienced players nonetheless. Shalke will have a go and get a goal. I see United struggling to contain them but will play on counter-attacks when Shalke commit men forward. Should be a see-saw of a game. Can't wait.

Enjoy the game everyone :) It'll be a cracker. Explicits- provoking I hope!  

The End Brings Renewed Belief

At the start of the season, I like many people, and just not United fans alone, would never have imagined us at the top of the league with a six point lead and four games to go. People still questioned this side's ability to sustain any kind of lead in the league aside from the other cup competitions - without Ronaldo and Tevez and the Keane's, the Nistelrooy's and the Beckhams. I miss their transparent hunger and appetite for success but they've had to move on as well and in respect to the last two legends, age does eventually catch up with you.

Manchester United have done well since 2005 to bring in replacements. Ronaldo for Beckham, nurturing Fletcher into the new Keane and of recent, the acquisition of Javier Hernandez, that final piece of the jigsaw who fills that void vacated by the Nistelrooy almost six years later. In a way, I kind of feel that United are trying to maintain the style we used to play with a few years ago, although the intensity we carry out now on the pitch is somewhat a little less subdued.

Still, some of our performances haven't warranted the luxury of the position we hold at present in the league. You could state 'a transitional phase' with the old heads looking to call their time on United soon and the emergence of young talent. Also, a lot of the English players suffered a loss in form post the World Cup and none of them was more prone to attack from the Press that Wayne Rooney. Contract Negotiations may have put the whole squad on edge early in the season too. But thankfully all the above mentioned factors that were signalling for a wretched season were sorted out. Ronney got his form back, All contracts were successful in retaining our experienced players and the English; well a few of them anyway, are starting to put in strong performances when it matters most.

Manchester United are a club that can rescue themselves from the brink of a loss to draw or even better, win. Similarly, they also defend well towards the end of a game and we have this sort of history and belief to fall back on. We've rescued a few points while losing some sitters as well, but have fought hard and played unattractively at times to register important wins. Although it might not yield to pleasant viewing among the hardcore 'football should be played in style fans', and I'm one for that, the result does matter at the final whistle.

At times this season, like any fan, I was optimistic when Chelsea were leading with six points, had some hope that somewhere down the line, United would get a break. And that's pretty much been the reason for us still holding that cushion of six points. I doubt we'd experience a tragic loss in form and points so late in the season but with four games to, I wouldn't write anyone else off. Anyway, I was saying that United got a lot of lucky breaks this season to be where they are right now.

Chelsea suffered huge defeats in November after losing one of their most influential assistant managers of 37 years of loyalty. That shook the Club quite a bit and they recovered very very late. At a point they were 15 points behind United. Arsenal are the perennial masters of their own undoing. They've got the talent but lack 'the kill' factor in them in a long game. Also, when it matters most, like towards the end of a season, they under perform and look weary when they need to finish other teams off. I know that the season's long but its been the same old story for the last six years. Also, in my opinion, they need to make good buys - players who can inspire, motivate and lead through example. They don't have any of that. Manchester United have made use of all of that an more importantly, bringing a sense of  composure and calmness to the team with the experience that the veterans carry with them. It wont last forever, but we live in the present and you nurture the future.

Manchester United owe their current position to the underperforming Arsenals and Chelseas. Yes United haven't been flamboyant, but their challengers have been a wee bit worse off as well. I think its useless in trying to find faults in another teams amour when you realize your own team's position. For me, I've seen a lot of 'United don't deserve to win this league' and 'they aren't the teams of the famous '99 and '08.' Of course, I'd agree with them! Well, partially at least... only until a few months ago until I realized that we've been the best of the worst this season. Yes, squads do undergo a transitional phase. And United are undergoing that at the moment as retirees  wait on the sidelines. Arsenal are struggling to find that missing piece that would otherwise be the most beautiful puzzle to be solved in the English Premier League for a few years now. Chelsea I feel look for the quickest answer to solve their woes. Unlike Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, who invest time instead of lots of money ( United do make the odd expensive purchase ), Chelsea expect results. It'll take them more time than they realize, I feel. Manchester City must be categorized with the West Londoners as well.

But for United, a change in fortune with a mix of mid-season allowances and taking our chances, I feel we are growing in confidence; and not just for this season, but for the next campaign as well. The emergence of Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, a steal in Hernandez and other youth's playing in the reserves, for me that is, are promising signs for the future. We should make use of the advantage of our Champions League position having almost secured a final spot and the League Cup, which is ours to lose. We can take this form with us in to these 'finals' and beyond.

It was unexpected to say the least that we'd find ourselves in these positions and I hope we take our chances and avoid squandering them when we're so close to the finishing line with something to show for it, and a bright bright future to look forward to.

Taking the Shepherd out of the Germans...

I don't know whether to be bashful of our wasted chances, or salute our excellent display, and what to make of Shalke's poorest display in the competition yet. It wasn't the game I was expecting but I'm happy that we came out on top. Hell, we could've finished higher than 'on top'. I think the whole world would have been left surprised after ten minutes into the game after realizing that we were up only against their Keeper, Manuel Neuer. It was that simple, wasn't it?

Sadly, Shalke proved to be a shadow of the team that their recent form would otherwise suggest. Thrashing an Inter Milan side in Italy under a month ago would seem to put the fear in anyone's any underworld mob. They were on an dream run and I think that they woke up from it just before kick off. Manchester United, like me, like millions of other viewers, realized that we were being humbly shown the door to Wembley. Maybe United were geared up to play on the counter-attacks but were taken by utter surprised when they saw Shalke's enormous respect bordering on fear for our team. And on seeing a vast change in the tactics that Shalke deployed, we started to dictate the pace and flow of the game. Shalke were too hospitable and showed perhaps too much of respect for their visitors, something that is not known amongst the German teams; while United on the other hand took 67 minutes to register their disbelief with two quick goals from the ageless, agile legs of Ryan Giggs and a resurgent Rooney to make it an almost no-brainer second leg back in England in a week's time.

I had said before in my earlier post that this would be a great game to watch. I really meant that. I didn't think it would be only the United fans enjoying it selfishly. I thought it would be a marvelous game of a first-timer up for it, against an organized and experienced side in Europe. Many pinned their hopes on Carrick being the villain behind a suicidal back pass or an Chicharito sniffer of a goal. But it was too open a game. For us it was anyway.
We ( United! ) finally made it count and we got what we came for. We might have got a lot more than what we bargained for initially, but we got the job done.

A few things to notice about last night's game: The pitch was wide and Shalke played with a high defensive line; meaning that it was really very easy for us to get in behind them with long balls looped up and over their defense. Yes, it was frustrating as a supporter to witness guilt edged chances being wasted but I knew we'd take one eventually; while in the mean time hoping that Shalke would not punish our criminal efforts in front of goal. United's defense was only threatened after we scored our two goals in the last twenty minutes of the game but otherwise, they was rarely made to work.

Another strange tactic to comprehend is perhaps that Shalke played with a high defensive line, a compact midfield and a retreating forward line ( given our possession football ); thus crowding the middle of the ground. But it really didn't look like that. We played a quick passing game - to the sidelines, down the middle and over their defense. At times, I thought that we were playing against nine players wearing blue. Was it that simple???

Without disrespecting Barcelona and Ream Madrid who play in tonight's game, Shalke made United look like they were Champions of Europe already. The German team defended with fear, broke forward with hesitation and made United's task really simple. It made our recent ragged performances against Everton, Newcastle and Manchester City look very distant; not like the team that had performed so badly in the last ten days. Or maybe United are a different team when you put them on the European stage.

Having said that, I saw how wonderfully we played as a team last night. I cannot take a lot away from our displays even if Shalke weren't a shade of their earlier selves. Fabio was fabiolous and Park was full of energy as usual. Something of boon to us to have him back fit again. Valencia's return has brought some hunger and appetite into our forward line and no doubt will that inspire our strikers to get more goals. His contribution has been vital and priceless. Speechless too. Carrick seems to have found composure against top opposition when it matters and he is as vital for us as water is to fish. Rooney is still the inspiration in the team and the ever so brilliant Ryan Giggs show us how much he drives this team. Watching Chicharito ( Javier Hernandez ) play as our main striker has started to reassure me that we will find space in every area of the pitch. He looks like a forward that will keep a defense of their toes. In his first season, he's done so well. He's like a little stick of dynamite. He'll explode into life and you cannot ignore his contribution even if he doesn't score in a game. He makes his presence felt. That's important too.

We can and should take this form to the Emirates even though I feel that our European form has been quite different from how we play in the League. It's like we're on reserves in a league match and use our tank to full capacity outside England. Whatever it is, Fergi has rotated his squad really well and it seems to be working. We have our own team out there; quite different from the Barcelonas and Madrids and I wouldn't trade a player for anything. After a season of uncertain beginnings, the team's shrewd performances have got everyone in and around Old Trafford believing.