Manutd.com report: UCL Q-finals Leg 1: Man Utd 2 - 2 Porto
Van Der Sar
O'Shea - Vidic - Evans (Neville 72') - Evra
Ronaldo - Scholes (Tevez 72') - Carrick - Fletcher - Park (Giggs 58')
Rooney
scorers:
Rooney 15'
Tevez 86'
Man Utd were given a stern reminder not to take things for granted after another poor display. Sir Alex is in dire need of making sure his team stays fresh for each single game and he made 4 changes to the team that won narrowly at the weekend.
Vidic returned to take his place in central defence, Park and Scholes came on for Nani and Giggs and Rooney, the key man on which Man Utd's hopes lies, returned in place of Tevez.
As with recent opponents, Porto had done their homework. They choked Man Utd in their own half almost from the first whistle and by the 6th minute, had already had 3 shots on target. One of that shot was a brilliant goal from Rodriguez. The amazing aspect of that goal was the chief culprit who conceded possession and again failed to track back. Ronaldo, for the 2nd game running, lost the ball, this time in his own half, and about 5 Porto touches later, the ball was in the back of the net. Ronaldo is not looking like a team player at the moment.
As Man Utd were stunned by Porto's bullish approach, they got their equalizer in the form of a gift. Bruno Alves, totally unaware of his surroundings, horrendously softly backpassed towards his GK Helton and Rooney intercepted that pass to chip the onrushing Helton for an easy goal.
Porto, as did Villa, did not lie down. They came at Man Utd again and again and you would have been wondering a) which team was playing at home b) which team is supposed to be the favourites in this quarter-final tie.
After the break, it was the very same shakedown in the same dressing room, as with the game against Aston Villa, that Man Utd tried to force the issue. But Porto were already in full steam and had lots of momentum while an utterly disjointed Man Utd were struggling to even gel as a unit.
Park's last action was a stinging volley and Giggs came on to replace him on the left flank. Rooney and Vidic forced shots on goal but a stunning lob from Cissokho that forced a fingertip save from VDS only served to remind Man Utd that Porto is a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the match and for the 2nd leg in a week's time.
Yet substitute Tevez and Rooney reprised their last season's partnership to combine for Man Utd to take a 2-1 lead with 5 minutes remaining. Rooney, awesome all night, was able to work his magic near the touchline to cut back a low cross that found Tevez who shot superbly at goal.
But a lapse in concentration, almost unseen by the cameras, ensured a goal for Mariano at the death as Porto took 2 away goals with them to Portugal for the return leg. They could and should have won this game perhaps but with history in their favour, no English teams have beaten Porto away from home, Porto has their sights on the semi-finals.
Conversely, Man Utd needs a 1-0 win to secure their place. However, the way they are defending at the moment, 10 goals conceded in the last 4 matches, and struggling to score goals upfront, Man Utd needed a poor backpass to score their 1st goal last night, it is really hard for a Man Utd fan like myself to keep faith when reality sets in. Man Utd are losing it and it is all their own undoing at the moment.
Ratings:
van Der Sar (7): Despite conceding 2 goals yet again, he was instrumental in the 1st half with very good saves. The pick of the game must surely be his fingertip save from that ridiculous Cisshoko effort.
O'Shea (6): Became more solid as the game wore on.
Evra (6): Was caught by a marauding Porto storm but found his game in the 2nd half.
Vidic (6): Pace has never been his strongest suit and it was Porto's pace that caught him out early on.
Evans (6): Tried manfully to combine with Vidic to shut out Porto. A difficult game for the youngster.
Ronaldo (5): Man Utd could probably do to have him on the sidelines to have some fresh ideas from other players.
Park (6): eplaced early in the 2nd half after an average display.
Scholes (6): Struggled to put on his passing boots.
Carrick (6): Had to be more defensive in the 1st half. Got it going in the 2nd half.
Fletcher (7): Another hardworking and workmanlike display.
Rooney (8): Scored one and assisted the other. The fans chanted his name throughout and it is not hard to see why.
Sub:
Giggs (6): Improved Man Utd's fortunes when he came on for Park.
Neville (6): Came on for an injured Evans and was helpless for Porto's late goal.
Tevez (7): Took his chance well to score and provided more options upfront as Man Utd reverted to a direct 4-4-2 formation.
akim
O'Shea - Vidic - Evans (Neville 72') - Evra
Ronaldo - Scholes (Tevez 72') - Carrick - Fletcher - Park (Giggs 58')
Rooney
scorers:
Rooney 15'
Tevez 86'
Man Utd were given a stern reminder not to take things for granted after another poor display. Sir Alex is in dire need of making sure his team stays fresh for each single game and he made 4 changes to the team that won narrowly at the weekend.
Vidic returned to take his place in central defence, Park and Scholes came on for Nani and Giggs and Rooney, the key man on which Man Utd's hopes lies, returned in place of Tevez.
As with recent opponents, Porto had done their homework. They choked Man Utd in their own half almost from the first whistle and by the 6th minute, had already had 3 shots on target. One of that shot was a brilliant goal from Rodriguez. The amazing aspect of that goal was the chief culprit who conceded possession and again failed to track back. Ronaldo, for the 2nd game running, lost the ball, this time in his own half, and about 5 Porto touches later, the ball was in the back of the net. Ronaldo is not looking like a team player at the moment.
As Man Utd were stunned by Porto's bullish approach, they got their equalizer in the form of a gift. Bruno Alves, totally unaware of his surroundings, horrendously softly backpassed towards his GK Helton and Rooney intercepted that pass to chip the onrushing Helton for an easy goal.
Porto, as did Villa, did not lie down. They came at Man Utd again and again and you would have been wondering a) which team was playing at home b) which team is supposed to be the favourites in this quarter-final tie.
After the break, it was the very same shakedown in the same dressing room, as with the game against Aston Villa, that Man Utd tried to force the issue. But Porto were already in full steam and had lots of momentum while an utterly disjointed Man Utd were struggling to even gel as a unit.
Park's last action was a stinging volley and Giggs came on to replace him on the left flank. Rooney and Vidic forced shots on goal but a stunning lob from Cissokho that forced a fingertip save from VDS only served to remind Man Utd that Porto is a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the match and for the 2nd leg in a week's time.
Yet substitute Tevez and Rooney reprised their last season's partnership to combine for Man Utd to take a 2-1 lead with 5 minutes remaining. Rooney, awesome all night, was able to work his magic near the touchline to cut back a low cross that found Tevez who shot superbly at goal.
But a lapse in concentration, almost unseen by the cameras, ensured a goal for Mariano at the death as Porto took 2 away goals with them to Portugal for the return leg. They could and should have won this game perhaps but with history in their favour, no English teams have beaten Porto away from home, Porto has their sights on the semi-finals.
Conversely, Man Utd needs a 1-0 win to secure their place. However, the way they are defending at the moment, 10 goals conceded in the last 4 matches, and struggling to score goals upfront, Man Utd needed a poor backpass to score their 1st goal last night, it is really hard for a Man Utd fan like myself to keep faith when reality sets in. Man Utd are losing it and it is all their own undoing at the moment.
Ratings:
van Der Sar (7): Despite conceding 2 goals yet again, he was instrumental in the 1st half with very good saves. The pick of the game must surely be his fingertip save from that ridiculous Cisshoko effort.
O'Shea (6): Became more solid as the game wore on.
Evra (6): Was caught by a marauding Porto storm but found his game in the 2nd half.
Vidic (6): Pace has never been his strongest suit and it was Porto's pace that caught him out early on.
Evans (6): Tried manfully to combine with Vidic to shut out Porto. A difficult game for the youngster.
Ronaldo (5): Man Utd could probably do to have him on the sidelines to have some fresh ideas from other players.
Park (6): eplaced early in the 2nd half after an average display.
Scholes (6): Struggled to put on his passing boots.
Carrick (6): Had to be more defensive in the 1st half. Got it going in the 2nd half.
Fletcher (7): Another hardworking and workmanlike display.
Rooney (8): Scored one and assisted the other. The fans chanted his name throughout and it is not hard to see why.
Sub:
Giggs (6): Improved Man Utd's fortunes when he came on for Park.
Neville (6): Came on for an injured Evans and was helpless for Porto's late goal.
Tevez (7): Took his chance well to score and provided more options upfront as Man Utd reverted to a direct 4-4-2 formation.
akim
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