The game was the first match in the knockout stages of Champions League and it pitted three-time winners and last year’s runners up Manchester United against seven-time champions AC Milan.
Both teams have met four times before in the knockout stages and AC Milan have always gotten the better of the Red Devils. Until Tuesday night, Man United have never scored in the San Siro against AC Milan.
In a pre-match interview with Sky Sports AC Milan midfielder David Beckham said, “as a Manchester United fan, it’s probably the first time that I am going to want Manchester United to lose.” Beckham became a world-class soccer player with Manchester United. He left for Real Madrid in 2003.
Beckham started the match with a bang when his free kick was poorly cleared by United defender Patrice Evra to Ronaldinho, who sliced the ball past Edwin van der Sar in the third minute.
United looked shocked for the next 10 minutes and AC Milan, who were by no means content to sit on a one goal lead, went in for the kill. AC Milan created plenty of chances to go further ahead but failed to capitalize on their good fortunes.
Manchester United eventually regained their composure and began to counterattack AC Milan.
Finally, Paul Scoles leveled the score after 36 minutes when he started a move nicely with a one-two and then finished it with a mis-kicked shot off his shin that reached the far side of the net past the outstretched arm of AC Milan keeper Dida.
Rooney Show
In Wayne Rooney’s 50th Champions League appearance, he produced one of his best performances. He scored two goals, one after 66 minutes and the other after 74 minutes which ensured Manchester United would have a considerable advantage over AC Milan when the meet for the second leg of the tie on March 10 at Old Trafford.
His first goal was a long looping header to the far side of the net off a cross from substitute Antonio Valencia. His second one was a straightforward header from the middle of the six-yard box after some loose defending by AC Milan.
“Second half, we stepped up and fully deserved to win the game,” said Rooney. About his England teammate Beckham, Rooney added, “You can see the quality he’s got, the experience at set pieces.”
“We had three really good chances [in the first half]. If we put them away, it would’ve been a totally different story,” said Beckham.
However the game was not over yet, as Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf drew one goal back when he scored with five minutes left to play. Ronaldinho set him up wonderfully with a supremely skillful pass and Seedorf scored cheekily using a back-flick.
United finished with 10 men after Michael Carrick was shown a second yellow card into stoppage time.
But the result is undeniable for Manchester United—a terrific performance by Rooney in an incredibly important and exciting game.
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