Holy Cow.
Just when it looked like same old same old with Man U scoring on a Carlos Tevez goal in the 84th minute to take the lead. Porto storms on in the 88th to score its second away goal and tie the affair. And with a realistic three minutes of extra time Porto may just escape here ahead on goals.
Now Man U with a free kick just outside the box, drama, pure drama. Missed free kick and whistle should blow any minute. And the game is over. To quote the great Chris Kamara, Porto “fought like beavers”.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Three points about the game:
1. The ManU midfield was overrun for the first 60 minutes like it was a drill. Every clearance from the backline was advanced only as far as the Hulk and Friends, who dominated Scholes et al.
2. A quick check of my Korean-English dictionary reveals this nugget: Park Ji Sung translates roughly to “turnover, but with great energy.”
3. Gary Neville + John O’Shea on the same backline= Portuguese guys wandering alone.
I’m not sure that the mindset changes for a visiting team in the second leg that surrendered a home goal, as they travel knowing they need to score, but I’d rather be up 2-1 than even. Porto has mastered the scoreless home draw.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Well that wasn’t the Man U everyone knows. Defensive shortcomings were rampant throughout the game. And getting Rio back may not be the answer. How did this Man U midfield become so pedestrian so quickly? I still think with the right squad Man U wins at Porto, but squad selection has to be spot on. Sir Alex cannot march out a squad similar to a Carling Cup tie. Something I felt he would have the luxury of doing for the second leg.