Newsgroup: it.sport.calcio
Titolo: La Partita

United went down 3-1 against Real Madrid at Bernabeu last night to set
themselves a mighty task at Old Trafford in a fortnight's time.
But it could have so much worse after United had slumped to three-nil down
just after half-time.
An early goal from Luis Figo and then two from Raul put Real in dreamland,
but a reply from Ruud van Nistelrooy may just provide the chink in Real's
armour when the teams meet in the return.
It appears to be a tall order, but United have overcome similar deficits in
the past and at least they are in with a shout. There were times during the
game when even that looked distant.
Billed as the 'Clash of the Titans' by one television channel, it would be
mightily difficult to find someone in football who didn't honestly accept
that this UEFA Champions League between United and Real was indeed an
exceptional occasion.
Quite simply this summit meeting at the towering Bernabeu fits into a
category of its own with Real and United arguably the most famous pair of
football clubs on Earth.
Real's record speaks (loudly!) for itself with the Spanish giants having
appeared in the European Cup final a record 12 times and won the trophy on 9
of those occasions, including last season.
United, like Real, have fans in every corner of the globe but have somewhat
under-achieved on the European stage. But for the past seven seasons they
have been ever-presents at this stage of the competitions and are the most
experienced team in the UEFA Champions League.
But it's more than just raw statistics and facts that set this mega-contest
above the rest. Their is an undoubted magic about the names Real Madrid and
Manchester United and to have them together on the same field is rare moment
to cherish.
Both sides lined-up as expected with all the big names on duty. United, of
course, were without the injured Juan Sebastian Veron but otherwise at full
strength. Real rolled out their massively impressive galaxy of players that
reads like a who's who of world stars.
A packed Bernabeu is one of the most awesome sights in world football, but
United have sufficient experience of such matters and they showed that they
wouldn't be fazed in the early stages of the game. The Reds started
confidently and had two really decent chances in the opening ten minutes as
they went in search of a vital away goal.
Paul Scholes was the first to test goalkeeper Iker Casillas when he thumped
a cracking low shot that the Spanish international did well to parry. And
Ruud van Nistelrooy went close with a overhead after David Beckham had done
well to get on the end of Gary Neville's long throw from the right.
It was a hugely encouraging start from United, but in the 12th minute they
found themselves trailing following a piece of pure magic from one of the
jewels in Real's crown. Zinedine Zidane provided the support role with neat
pass, but it was singular example of terrific vision that saw Luis Figo pick
his spot from the left side of Fabien Barthez's area but curling a shot into
the far top corner.
A few minutes later and United were lucky not to have conceded a penalty
when Wes Brown appeared to fell Ronaldo. The Brazilian star certainly
thought it deserved the maximum punishment but the referee, who nearby, said
'no' and United breathed a huge sigh of relief.
And there was another bizarre moment in the 21st minute when Barthez, having
taken a back-pass, clearly handled outside the area. the referee either
missed it completely or misjudged it, but had it been spotted the chances
are that United's number one could have been on his way back to the dressing
room.
United's woes, however, were increased in the 28th minute when Raul, Real's
master marksmen, made the most of a half chance to put his two-up after
Roberto Carlos had robbed Scholes. Zidane collected the loose ball and his
instant through pass gave Raul the chance.
Four minutes after the restart and United's hopes of reaching the semi-final
looked slim to say the least after Raul had rifled home Real's third goal.
Figo was involved on the right and when his pass arrived at Raul's feet he
set himself before hitting a low shot past Barthez.
United looked to be staring into the abyss, but within three minutes they
had engineered themselves a toe-hold with a goal from van Nistelrooy. Gary
Neville broke down the right before crossing into the area. Ryan Giggs made
a clean contact but it went straight to Iker Cassilas who managed to push it
back into play. The ball stood up beautifully and van Nistelrooy rushed in
to head over the line.
The goal did United a power of good and for the next ten minutes or so they
were clearly the better side. Their passing became more precise and they
started to ask questions of the Real defence.
Five minutes after van Nistelrooy's goal United could have reduced the
arrears even further when the ball arrived at Beckham's feet on the right
side of the area. The England skipper was perfectly positioned to strike but
he pulled his shot wide with just the keeper to beat.
United lost Mikael Silvestre with a leg injury in the 58th minute, but with
John O'Shea waiting in the wings it wasn't too big a blow.
The complexion of the game had changed with United showing their more
positive side, but Real still looked frighteningly dangerous when the broke
up field.
It had been a much better half for United, but it finished with the home
side pushing for the one extra goal that would probably have sealed United's
fate. As it was the game ended with Real in charge, but United were in
possession of what could turn out to be a priceless away goal.

 experienced team in the UEFA Champions League.
Non c´e` dubbio sul fatto che il Real Madrid abbia vinto piu` di tutti come
squadra di club in campo internazionale.
Ma il Manchester United??
--
Luigi
www.scaiecat-spa-gigi.com

Ma il Manchester United??
Ha vinto molto piů dell'Arsenal.
Non c'č dubbio.