Manchester United V F.c. Internazionale Milano 2nd Leg

adedawson · 11-03-2009, 02:29:PM

KO 19:45 GMT

Probably the most balanced game in Europe, as it could go either way.

First leg end in a 0 - 0 draw. Who does it benefit most? We'll find out.
Match Preview:

The last time these two teams met, Manchester United were completely dominant and played Inter Milan off their own pitch in every facet of the game, except where it counted: on the scoreboard. Their inability to pick up a valuable away goal could be their undoing as Inter Milan pay a visit to Old Trafford with a trip to the Quarterfinals on the line.

Manchester United have been in spectacular form as of late, storming to a nearly insurmountable lead in the Premiership while picking up the first two trophies in their attempt to win a "Quintuple." They fired a warning shot to anyone who thought they would be ripe for the picking with a difficult trip to St. James Park in midweek after a rousing and emotional Carling Cup Final victory over Tottenham by coming from behind to defeat a determined Newcastle United squad. They also served notice of their intentions in the F.A. Cup by winning handily at Fulham despite resting the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Cristiano Ronaldo. Their only concern going into this match will be health-related, as Rio Ferdinand limped off at Craven Cottage with an ankle injury and John O'Shea tweaked his hamstring. Then again, United will be getting back their best defensive player in Nemanja Vidic, who was suspended for the trip to the San Siro, so it isn't all bad news.

For Inter, they'll need to improve significantly if they want to keep their European hopes alive. They have some major concerns of their own heading into this match. They were blasted, 3-0, by Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia in midweek, and lost two of their defenders, Marco Materazzi and Nicholas Burdisso to injuries against Genoa over the weekend. Nelson Rivas, who was terrible in the first leg, was even worse in the loss to Sampdoria, giving away a goal and being pulled at halftime. As such, Jose Mourinho might have to start veteran Ivan Cordoba at center-back and pull Esteban Cambiasso back from his usual position in midfield.

That hasn't stopped Mourinho from being his usual bragadocious self, however. In addition to touting himself as Sir Alex's eventual replacement at Old Trafford, he reminded everyone of his success against Manchester United in years past. Even though Mourinho's mind games are more for the press than anyone else, his words will, no doubt, have an impact on Sir Alex, who remembers how Porto poached a last-minute goal at Old Trafford in 2004 to send United tumbling out of the Champions League.

Who will win between these two giants? Will Manchester United's quest for a Quintuple continue? Or will Mourinho continue to beguile Sir Alex and Manchester United? Tune in and find out!

Link

Possible game winners:

Man Utd

Vidic

Was not missed in the 1st leg, but it is crucial that Vidic is back in defence for Utd. Against two physical strikers in Ibrahimovic and Adriano, Vidic will have to be at his brilliant best to match them. Also, can pop up with an all important goal from set pieces.

Rooney

Big game player. In recent games, it seems as though he has returned to his best. His new role as a n.o 9 has allowed to score more goals rather than creating them. Inter will need to keep an eye on him.

Inter

J.Cesar

The most on form keeper in the world. Made some great saves in the 1st leg and will be hard to beat again.

Ibrahimovic

Yet to shine in a big game in Europe. Now's his chance. Enough with all the talking and start to deliver. It will be a great battle between him and Vidic.

Injury updates:

Man Utd: Ferdinand has been given the all clear to play the match, yet to be confirmed by Man Utd. O'Shea limped off with a thigh strain, but is expected to be fit. Link

Inter: Materazzi and Burdisso both went off injured in their league game on Saturday, Chivu is the latest to be injured, but Samuel is back and expected to start alongside Cordoba. Link

This is the highlights of the friendly match between Man Utd - Inter, which Inter won 2 - 3.

Probable XI's for both teams:

Man Utd: VDS, O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Park, Carrick, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov

Inter Milan: J.Cesar, Maicon, Samuel, Cordoba, Santon, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Muntari, Zanetti, Ibrahimovic, Adriano
My prediction: 0 - 0; Man Utd to win on penalties.

Join in and discuss. :cheers1:

adedawson · 11-03-2009, 02:30:PM

quoted from the other soccer forum with a few edits

I'd probably add Giggs in there somewhere for starting XI. Is he fit?

Maybe Tevez will get some action too after the other day.

Arnau · 11-03-2009, 02:31:PM

the most balanced match?? right now, united has much more level than inter.

adedawson · 11-03-2009, 02:39:PM

The original poster started this and made edits after certain Inter injuries came to light... e.g. the injury updates section. Just so happens United are getting players back and Inter losing some.

But still I think its going to be a close game. O'shea could gift Ibrahimovic a goal

I'm going to eat my words for saying that. Bet he scores a goal now haha

adedawson · 11-03-2009, 02:47:PM

Rooney: We'll attack Inter

Before the first leg most United fans would have settled for a draw. Given the way the game panned out, was the team disappointed with a draw?
We were a little, yeah. We had a few chances to win the game and perhaps should have taken them. Had we done that then we’d be in a lot better position. But I still think a draw was a good result. Of course, we’d have preferred a score draw – that’s better than 0-0 – but we’re still in a good position and it gives us a good chance in the second leg. Now we know we’re capable of creating chances against Inter and at Old Trafford we’ll play with more pace and really attack them.

Your involvement was limited to seven minutes in the first leg. You must have been itching to get on when you saw the chances we were making…
Absolutely. Whenever you’re sitting on the bench you want to come on and get involved. I didn’t get too long in Milan but I was impressed with the way the team played without me so I can’t really complain too much!

Were you rested as a precaution or was it a tactical decision to leave you out?
My hamstring feels good but obviously I’d played 90 minutes a few days beforehand. It always pays to be a little bit cautious with a hamstring injury so if I’m honest I probably expected to be on the bench for that game.

Does it mean you’ll be doubly determined to make your mark on the tie at Old Trafford?
Of course. Hopefully I’ll play and by the time that game comes around we’ll have watched the video of the first leg and identified a few weaknesses of theirs that we can exploit. So we’ll set about trying to do that and unsettle them.

cmc211 · 11-03-2009, 02:49:PM

In Champions League 08-09 this season(round of 16), every team qualified whom gained possession of match at away(both home can be like Bayern).

Arnau · 11-03-2009, 03:28:PM

what an useless stadistic, we always have the possesion in all matches but we are only 2 times europe champions.

Socrates · 11-03-2009, 04:55:PM

So is ESPN 2 showing this game or not? The tv schedule says it's showing it but I keep hearing that it's not gonna be on ESPN 2 but instead on ESPN classic. Anyone know for sure which one is right?

MaestroZidane · 11-03-2009, 05:10:PM

it's anybodys guess at the moment.. I hope it's on ESPN2 as schedule because I have my TiVo set to record.

As for the game itself... Yesterday we had two games ruined by refs mistakes. If this game has any hope of living up to it's potential, we are going to need a top class ref or a ref that will need to be on top of his game.

United are on top form and Inter are slumping at the wrong time, yet Knowing Mourinho, I think he has enough skill to pull it off. It's all going to come down to how good can inters defence play.

night · 11-03-2009, 05:22:PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socrates

So is ESPN 2 showing this game or not? The tv schedule says it's showing it but I keep hearing that it's not gonna be on ESPN 2 but instead on ESPN classic. Anyone know for sure which one is right?

Really? I just checked today's tv schedule for ESPN 2 and they're showing the match live.

Socrates · 11-03-2009, 05:30:PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by night

Really? I just checked today's tv schedule for ESPN 2 and they're showing the match live.

Well I guess it really is anyone guess at the moment tha as mine says ESPN 2 are showing it too but from what I had heard before it was going to be on ESPN Classic, God I hope it's ESPN 2 as I don't get Classic.