Quote:
|
At the time of that game at Anfield, there were 10+ games left to play in the EPL with one of them seeing ManU visit Chelski ... with that in mind, 7 pts were far from enough and it was indeed a must win game for manU - and if I am not wrong, manU's current lead over Chelski is quite curiously exactly 3 pts with that game at Stamford Bridge yet to come
|
It really wasnt seen as must win, a draw would have still kept the result out of Chelseas hands. The lead is cut now because of the defeat to Pompey last week but if we didnt have the cushion i doubt Fergie wouldve sent out Richardson and co for that game.
Quote:
|
And as you said, the intensity of rivalry shouldn't be forgotten either - but the same argument works for ManU too ... my point however was that it was Pool who dominated the game - their domination was quite obvious - and that was one of the 2 games vs quality teams manU has managed to win so far in the EPL.
|
Of course they dominated, they were at home vs their biggest rivals who didnt have to win, it was up to them to take the game to Utd and they tried, but they didnt actually put VDS under much pressure at all. I can only remember 1 decent save he had to make from Crouch.
Anyway, its not like Milan have fared much better vs the top sides in Italy, 2 losses to Inter, and 2 draws, 2 losses to Roma. All in all, domestic form wont count for much in this tie.
Quote:
|
All in all, don't get me wrong Steza, I do see ManU as a solid, a very solid team - they wouldn't be on top of EPL and at the SFs of CL if they weren't - but the reason I am going after them is this whole ManU-mania that has overwhelmed fans and "experts" alike after one odd result in that game vs Roma when, if one takes a more sober look at their results vs quality opposition this year, one would be anything but mightily impressed.
|
Yeah, this is annoying, in fact i said on tuesday night that the same people here usually slamming us English for national bias were themselves hyping Utd beyond anything we'd ever said
The reality is Utd have played well in patches all season but havent ever really had to excel for long periods. Whether they can reach and maintain their highest standards over both games vs Milan remains to be seen.
Quote:
|
on a dif note: do you know when Neville, Vidic, Saha, and Park are supposed to be back? I think I read that neville is out for the season, same with Sylvestre, while Vidic had a collar bone broken and may very well miss both Milan ties.
|
Neville should be back just in time, though he usually needs 2-3 games to get back into the pace of the side and could be exploited if he faces Milan too soon. Saha is supposedly back in a few days, maybe even on the bench tommorow, but that is what they have been saying for 4 months
Vidic is the real worry, he could make the 2nd leg but i doubt he'll make the first.