I honestly don't think ManU controlled the match mate. Maybe SAF achieved what he thought might be a good scoreline to take OT but ManU never controlled the game. They might've scored from the PK yes, but its only that(But I only saw the second half so I don't know about the First half...

Also, during the second half, I thought I saw one Barca attack atleast where some 4-5 quick passes released Eto'o inside the box and if only he quickly passed the ball back to Messi, it'd be a goal now, but he waited a bit late and the chance went off quickly... Its true that Barca didn't score, but I thought they threatened a lot in the second half...

But these are just my opinions mate...

well i did not watch the Liverpool match for obvious reasons .....still gutted we lost to them ... but it was not a good match . It seems this was the same ...only saw the last 10 mins after Thierry Henry came on , nearly won it for Barcelona with that swerving shot .. bad miss by Ronaldo ....still think Man Utd will win it at Old Trafford .

Eto'o stayed on his feet when clipped by Rio - he should have done a Torres or Ronaldo and went to ground. It was a nailed on penalty for sure.

Talking of Eto'o, I felt a bit sorry for him because the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Yaya kept knocking the ball about in the middle whilst Eto'o was making darting runs left right and centre but to no avail. Must be very frustrating for a forward. That's why Eto'o and Ronaldinho used to link up well, because the Brazilian often tried the more direct pass and it worked most of the time.

United played awfully that has to be said, but looky looky, they came away with a 0-0.

Barcelona's play really reminded of Arsenal. Beautiful passing and intricate ball movement, but who cares, they couldn't score!!

Ronaldo is starting to annoy me with his constant reactions whenever he is challenged by a defender and it's as if he thinks that no one is capable of making a legitimate challenge on him. Its really frustrating and i think this seasons magnificent displays have got to his head a bit. I don't care if he's cocky or arrogant, but annoying is where I draw the line.

I hate how Rooney was playing a midfielder/make shift defender role.

Also Hargreaves has been fantastic for Man U recently in a more attacking role, so Fergie puts him in a right back. I dunno maybe its all part of the master plan but the line up had me baffled when i saw it. Im sure Fergie has one eye on the league so maybe im a bit quick to criticize.

Ill be frank, it all depends how Man U turn up at OT. Anything but a high level of football is gonna see them get a reality check. An off United day, means game over... no more luck left in the bank this season.

If Barcelona score first, they are through 100%. With United pressing to equalise Barcelona with Eto, Henry, Messi will give United a taste of counter-attacking football that United has been good at for 2 seasons now.

Spot on!

He's a dcikhead acting like that every time he's challenged for the ball. You don't see Messi act like that when he's challenged, do you? He's just a spoilt little prat. Great player mind!

I got the impression Hargreaves was at right-back because there was no Vidic? Hence you'd have to draw someone like Pique in, which Fergie won't have wanted to do in such a big game.

what a yawnfest it was like Chelsea and Liverpool i expected it to be a thriller with hopefully barca winning......

ronaldo was clearly average at best but then again everyone has there off day's....

come on barca

Yeah...I agree with you.

I pretty much agree with ImmortaL there, United barring over confidence in the 2nd leg, should feel pleased with the draw & progress.

Okay it wasn't a classic game, it was built up (by myself included) as being a potential corker - the second leg could still be.

Don't write off Barca just yet, but hopefully United will step up a couple of gears at OT.

seems like now everyone's against ronaldo

well.. i dunno how to describe last night's match into words.. nah.. not about the penalty.. i had sense he would've failed to put it in.. so yeah.. no heart attack afterwards..

barca had a good midfield performance and i felt like we always failed to bring the ball forward because it always bounced back to our defence area most of the time.. 35% ball possession.. it explains everything..

anyway.. it's quite a dissapionted performance with unsual formation.. although i'd need to credit our defs.. especially evra.. for being so good in keeping us a clean sheet..

i'm actually feeling

Oh don't cry Jenny dear... you guys will surely lose at OT and Barca will go through to the Finals... So no point in crying there...

thanks for being a good gooner

barcelona is certainly dangerous.. based on how the players rushed to any of us each time we kept the ball..

i've never personally seen barca matches.. but a cousin of mine who followed them by la liga said they played very different last night.. maybe because they can only count on this to stay in cl for the next season without going through qualification after the point gap in their league..

anyway.. can't wait for the second leg.. the sooner the better.. bring it on..

i took back my previous sentence about you being a good gooner

That's what I thought too and the commentators were saying that again and again. If Eto'o had went down, that's a sure penalty IMO...

I know I know. You've already said that I'm good.

I can't wait for the second leg too...

EDIT:



Hey, I resent that...

Not a great performance by United I’m afraid. The loss of Vidic caused SAF to make key alterations to his defensive set up, but I believe he intended to start off this match in a similar vein to the Roma away game, with Park and Rooney in wide roles, providing defensive support for the full back positions, preventing Barcelona from causing problems from wide positions. Because of this set up, Messi was continually forced inside allowing Tevez, Scholes and Carrick to step in and close him down.

I believe SAF was hoping to hit Barca on the counter attack but United failed to hold on to possession long enough to offer any real threat. Barca’s slow build up play (typical of Spanish football) allowed United to get bodies behind the ball, making it difficult for Barca to create clear cut chances on goal. Barca kept possession well and that along with United’s inability to keep the ball starved Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo of any counter-attacking possibilities.

Rooney, for his part, sacrificed his normal free attacking role to provide defensive support as part of SAF’s tactical plan. The boy is a true TEAM player. As far as Ronaldo is concerned, I will just say that I was disappointed by some of his behaviour. He should have just swallowed the treatment and got on with the game, like good pro’s do. Just like Eto’o, who stayed on his feet in the box after Ferdinand accidentally slipped and caught him.

I was pleased the final whistle came with the score locked on 0-0. United NOW have to show their true worth at OT IF they want to TRULY be considered the top team in Europe. If United go on the offensive at OT I can’t see the Barca defence putting in a performance like United did in this game. I’m expecting United to go on and win this tie, after finishing off Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

What the hell was Ronaldo thinking of when shooting that penalty?

Scoring?

He normal puts his boot right thru the ball so it was somewhat of a suprise to me to see him open up his body like that and try and place it in the opposite side to where he normally puts them. The penalty was awarded within the opening minutes of the game......maybe TOO early.....who knows how he was feeling mentally in such a hostile and pressured environment. The SKY pundit (Butch Wilkins ) a very experienced soccer man remarked that he felt nervous in THAT atmosphere and the hairs on the back of his neck would be standing up......if he had any hair to stand that is

They may not be tired physically,but mentally i think they will be exhausted after the Barca game.I think they went into that game somewhat in awe of Barcelona the name,and they played exactly like that. I think they will be fragile against Chelsea and even though it's a long shot they still could actually finish the season without anything.The mind tends to play tricks on you especially after such a mentally draining game as this.If United have a good game against Chelsea saturday i think it will be the building block for them to go on and do what most think they should do , which is win the league.