Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Manchester United, eliminated from the Champions League by an Italian side last season, have clearly leaned their lesson well, for this was a victory copied straight out of the Serie A handbook. There were no wanton flourishes, no unnecessary garnish, this was just cold, merciless football and how well it worked.
Sir Alex Ferguson knew that his opposite number would be in a quandary. With the first leg in France ending 1-1, Alan Perrin was all too aware that if Lyon attacked early in search of the vital away goal, then they would leave space behind them for United to counter-attack. If they were cautious and waited to make a break, then the pressure would build to unbearable levels. Ferguson decided to let them dig their own grave and he duly packed the centre of the pitch with Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Anderson. If the French did launch an offensive, then they’d have to throw men forward to do it and sooner or later, a gap would appear for Wayne Rooney or Ronaldo to exploit. It was like watching a shark circling a rowing boat, trying to figure out the exact bit of the hull at which to charge in order to spill the occupants into the water.
Lyon are no novices at Champions League football, but strangely they seemed to have gone out with exactly the same intention. They were initially content to let United come at them, but the trouble with two teams playing this kind of defensive ‘chicken’ is that someone has to swerve first and it’s never going to be the team with the away goal. Lyon eventually cracked and were punished just before half-time.
This game will never make a bestselling DVD, but far from being boring, it was strangely compelling. This was a mature, composed performance that speaks volumes for the way Ferguson breeds his players. United are known for their rampant football, but there was little evidence of it here and, oddly, that’s a good sign. True champions know instinctively when to charge and when to hold and United never put a foot wrong. Lyon had a handful of half chances and even hit the post when Keita suddenly burst into the penalty area, but these were few and far between. As soon as Ronaldo had poked home from an increasing angle, United were as good as through to the last eight.
Karim Benzema, so impressive in the first leg, seemed almost overwhelmed by the occasion and struggled. If he did manage to get hold of the ball, he was quickly suffocated by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. His fellow prodigy Hatem Ben Arfa was equally disappointing. It tells you everything you need to know about the balance of power in this match that Lyon’s most impressive player was Jeremy Toulalan, their tough-tackling, defensive midfielder.
It was no classic and it certainly won’t be remembered as fondly as their title rivals’ extraordinary victory in the San Siro, but United fans won’t care one bit. They will take their place in the Quarter-Finals with quiet, growing confidence. Notorious for their exploits on the offensive, it appears that Ferguson’s men are just as deadly on the back foot.
Sir Alex Ferguson knew that his opposite number would be in a quandary. With the first leg in France ending 1-1, Alan Perrin was all too aware that if Lyon attacked early in search of the vital away goal, then they would leave space behind them for United to counter-attack. If they were cautious and waited to make a break, then the pressure would build to unbearable levels. Ferguson decided to let them dig their own grave and he duly packed the centre of the pitch with Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Anderson. If the French did launch an offensive, then they’d have to throw men forward to do it and sooner or later, a gap would appear for Wayne Rooney or Ronaldo to exploit. It was like watching a shark circling a rowing boat, trying to figure out the exact bit of the hull at which to charge in order to spill the occupants into the water.
Lyon are no novices at Champions League football, but strangely they seemed to have gone out with exactly the same intention. They were initially content to let United come at them, but the trouble with two teams playing this kind of defensive ‘chicken’ is that someone has to swerve first and it’s never going to be the team with the away goal. Lyon eventually cracked and were punished just before half-time.
This game will never make a bestselling DVD, but far from being boring, it was strangely compelling. This was a mature, composed performance that speaks volumes for the way Ferguson breeds his players. United are known for their rampant football, but there was little evidence of it here and, oddly, that’s a good sign. True champions know instinctively when to charge and when to hold and United never put a foot wrong. Lyon had a handful of half chances and even hit the post when Keita suddenly burst into the penalty area, but these were few and far between. As soon as Ronaldo had poked home from an increasing angle, United were as good as through to the last eight.
Karim Benzema, so impressive in the first leg, seemed almost overwhelmed by the occasion and struggled. If he did manage to get hold of the ball, he was quickly suffocated by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. His fellow prodigy Hatem Ben Arfa was equally disappointing. It tells you everything you need to know about the balance of power in this match that Lyon’s most impressive player was Jeremy Toulalan, their tough-tackling, defensive midfielder.
It was no classic and it certainly won’t be remembered as fondly as their title rivals’ extraordinary victory in the San Siro, but United fans won’t care one bit. They will take their place in the Quarter-Finals with quiet, growing confidence. Notorious for their exploits on the offensive, it appears that Ferguson’s men are just as deadly on the back foot.
