Manchester United Vs CSKA Moscow Match Report

 

 

United reach the knockout stages of the champions league but only by the skin of their teeth. Late injury time goals from Paul Scholes and Georgi Schennikov (og) gave the home side a late equaliser and a point required for qualification.

The Russians started off the scoring in the twenty seventh minute from an unlikely goal by Alan Dzagoev in a tight angle. A defensive lapse from Wes Brown let the visitors through to goal. Although everybody thought Dzagoev over ran himself, he chipped an excellent shot over Dutch keeper Edwin Van Der Sar.

Just five minutes later, English international Michael Owen hammered the ball into the left corner of the net from a chest from Nani. A phenomenal run from skipper Gary Neville and an excellent cross from summer signing Antonio Valencia resulted in United’s equaliser.

Thinking that their misery was over, normal service was resumed but for only a matter of seconds as the visitors gave an instant reply to Ferguson’s men by notching another goal. Dzagoev dummied a ball infield, Necid sprung the offside trap with another neat chested pass, and Krasic rounded the exposed Van Der Sar and tucked away his finish.

With Moscow oozing with confidence, minutes into the second half the army men went two ahead by a back post header from Vasili Berezutski. With United’s job even harder than before, the much awaited introduction of dad for a day Wayne Rooney.

For the last quarter of the game United’s dominance was clear with united having sixty percent of the possession. Ferguson’s men were close to getting one back when Kiko Macheda hit the bar and Rooney’s follow up was blocked. Although the reds were down by two with only five minutes to go, Neville and co were determined to level with the army men. As all hope was lost, a late eighty seven minute free kick from Gary Neville put the red devils back in the race. The free kick was delivered in by the captain himself and was met by Paul Scholes’s head giving the red devils a fighting chance.  As the forth official held up the board to say there was four minutes to be added on, united were in reach of another goal. After five minutes of consistent attacking, the red devils got their equalizing goal with a deflected strike from Antonio Valencia.

Even though United dominated throughout, defensive and goalkeeping errors led to united conceding two goals that weren’t necessary. Ferguson is now likely to give his youngsters a chance as his side having qualified two match days before necessary. United’s next European game is against Besiktas at home.  

 

  (c) Oliver McGrath & Blogsfc