Goodbye Manchester United, you’re going home
I’m not going to pretend that I like United. I’m sorry, but I’m an Arsenal supporter and that’s just the way it is.
However, them being knocked out of the Champion’s league semi final and vanquishing all hopes of another treble to add to the trophy cabinet wasn’t what gave me the greatest pleasure tonight.
As much as I dislike Man Utd, I appreciate that they’re an excellent side, and so had they won and deserved to win, I wouldn’t of objected. I might’ve been ever so slightly disappointed but I’d have backed them if they were the best team of the night. They weren’t. And not only were they poor, Paul Scholes perhaps aside, Milan were brilliant, just brilliant.
Milan were Arsenal-esque in their passing and yet put on a defensive display we could only hope to ever replicate, managed to find a team mate with almost each and every pass and crucially, managed to finish off their chances. Kaka found the net first, a lovely finish that found the corner of the net. Beautiful stuff from a player who is without a doubt the world’s finest right now. Seedorf hit the second and in addition, had himself an excellent game. Gilardino, not long after coming on for Inzaghi, found the third to seal victory and take Milan to Athens, where they’ll get their chance to seek revenge against Liverpool in a final they were probably hoping for.
Gattuso should be given his due also. He worked tremendously hard and played a vital defensive role that ensured Milan didn’t concede and crack at the back. If we had both Gattuso and Kaka at Arsenal the Premiership would come easy. We can only dream unfortunately. Everyone played their part for Milan and it was plain to tell who wanted it more. United fans will no doubt be disappointed but I think they can only accept that they were outclassed and appreciate the performance of their opponents while acknowledging that they should‘ve done better. Ferdinand’s absence probably played a part in that but I don’t think you can take anything away from the second side to win their place in the final.
One thing I think we can safely say is that the two legs were a great deal more exciting to watch than Chelsea V Liverpool. Hopefully we’ve something great in store for the final. My money’s on Milan now though. They’ve proved they have what it takes and should go in to the final bursting at the seams with confidence and revenge on their mind. I’m already looking forward to it.
All the latest football headlines.
A fair and accurate summary, and this from a lifelong Manc who has the same antipathy towards the Arse as you have towards United.
The United team were almost universally poor last night (Scholes & van der Saar being the only exceptions) and Vidic clearly wasn’t ready for a match of that importance. Having said that, with Evra suspended what options did Fergie have - Cathcart or Richardson? The soaking pitch meant playing Rio was a non-starter as groin injuries are the last thing you gamble with in slippery conditions.
Milan were magnificent and thoroughly deserved to win - happily Fergie has the dignity and honesty to admit his team’s failings (unlike Mourinho who appears to be completely devoid of any grasp on reality)
The title will go to United, and next year it will be a four cornered race with you guys, United, Chelski and the Scouse. Let’s hope that at least our two teams continue to play exciting, attacking football and not the mind-numbing grinding game of Chelski or the Scouse
Enjoy!!
yeh man united and arsenal play the best football. liverpool make me sleep, so do chelsea without cole and robben.
Fair asessment.
Just want raise a point:
“Milan were Arsenal-esque in their passing… ”
Why are everybody so into Arsenal’s ‘beautiful’ game? Beautiful passing soccer seem to have become synonymous with Arsenal. To be honest, the couple of games that I have seen them play (on the tele), it did not seem at all that beautiful. Can’t remember the games, but the point is they played shit. I’ve seen ManU (and other teams) play ‘more beautiful football’ more often and what I’ve seen of Arsenal. I can’t see what this whole thing is about. Is this because I’m bias?
Karl - it’s a great story (arsenal’s beautiful football), ainnit?
Any Top European team playing against a second string/unfit defense with no striker is gonna look brilliant at home.
Every Time.
Now for the obivious. I think your ’story’ is just a tad ironic given Arse…nal dropped out of the Champs. League, F.A. Cup and the Title Race some time ago.
Now that I think about it, that salt your trying to rub in doesn’t feel so bad now….
Stever - Well said.
Karl - We haven’t always played great football this season, it’s true. However, at our best, our passing is really something special to watch. Man Utd were another this season who almost always were great to watch.
Rylie - Injuries played their part, of course. They’ve come at a bad time for Man Utd though to be fair that’s something they’ve had generous luck with it in the Premiership.
Tad ironic though? I wasn’t doing a jump and dance because Man Utd were knocked out. As you kindly point out, I, an Arsenal supporter, can hardly be one to gloat, when you still have two trophies to compete for.
Nice to the mancs get a kicking,