All in all game1 was exiting and stood up to it’s billing. United were supposedly the favorites, simply because the “footie” pundits said so. But really, United without CR9 have lost a step and are not any better than a good second rung team like, Roma, Juve, Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Bayern and yes Real Madrid.
Having said that, Rooney is arguably the best finisher in the league on par with Messi, and Van der sar the best goal keeper and they give United a slight edge over the rest of the second rung teams. the only teams playing at the top level are Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Leonardo’s 4-3-3 came as a bit of a surprise to me, but as the game played on I could see that it was working fairly well against ManU. Ronaldhino played an inspired game, heck I even saw him play defense a few times. Pirlo and Ambrosini managed the midfield quite well. Beckham seemed a bit lost, but managed to put in a few good crosses. Pato and Huntelaar could have done much better. They just missed too many easy opportunities which could have sealed the deal for Milan early.
There is no question, Milan had this game won, but threw it away, by some dreadful finishing (which we have come to expect), and some uncharacteristically dreadful central defence in the last 20 mins or so. We pretty much expect Favalli and Dida to screw us somehow, but it is quite rare to see Nesta in bad form. Had he played his normal game, Rooney’s second goal would have never happened. And if Milan had any one but Dida back in the net, Scholes’s goal would have never happened either. so conservatively, that puts Milan over United 2-1. Rooney’s first goal was a peach. so I am not going to take that away from him. Although, I wonder if Rooney would have had that opportunity if Favalli dint replace Antonini.
Anyway, whats done is done. Rooney and Van der Sar were steller and United won the game.
The key for next game is Milan defense. Rest all the starters and use subtitutions wisely to bring fresh legs into the midfield after the half. Don’t waste it on strikers, Huntellar and Pato are young enough will do just fine. Use the subs to energize midfield and defense. We can manage to get two goals against United easy. but it would be very tough to not conceed any
Ps: Note to Leo.. leave Favalli home. if you need to sub for a fullback use Abate or even Flamini.
