Soccer: Champions League 2011: United set up Barca final – Highlights

Resham Ahmed May 5, 2011 0

Soccer: Champions League 2011: United set up Barca final – Highlights

MANCHESTER: Manchester United demolished Schalke 04 by four goals to one in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2011 semi-final at Old Trafford on Wednesday night and set up a huge final clash against FC Barcelona.

Antonio Valencia, Juilan Draxler. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

Sir Alex Ferguson rested his key players and tested his bench-strength and his second string side came out all guns blazing as they beat Manuel Neuer four times to register a 6-1 victory on aggregate.

The victory has set up a mighty clash between Manchester United, English soccer giant, and FC Barcelona, Spanish soccer giant, in a mouthwatering UEFA Champions League final at Wembley on May 28.

Manchester United, who are now in the final for the third time in the last four years, have won the Champions League title three times and were runners-up in 2009 after Barcelona defeated them in the final by 2-0 played in Rome.

Darron Gibson. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

The hero of the first leg for the German soccer Club, Manuel Neuer failed to repeat the heroics as he gave away at least two goals which could have been saved easily. Sir Alex Ferguson, after the first leg, had rated Neuer as the best he had encountered from a keeper in a European match against his club.

With Manchester United resting nine of their top players, it was Antonio Valencia who started the demolition with a 26^th minute goal. The lead was then doubled by captain Darron Gibson in the 31^st minute when his kick slipped away from Neuer’s hands into the net.

Jose Manuel Jurado pulled one back in the 35^th minute with a super strike and Schalke 04 managed to up the pressure on the home side for some minutes but United came on their own with strict ball possession that never allowed the German visitors to dictate terms at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

An outstanding Anderson then paid back Sir Alex Ferguson for his trust in him with two goals in the second half that sealed an impressive victory over their German rivals.

The victory was also impressive in a way that although Manchester United were without the services of their nine key players, the deputies grabbed the responsibility with both ‘legs’ as they ended up with the highest aggregate victory ever recorded at the stage of the UEFA Champions League.

After the impounding victory, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said that now he expect a “fantastic final” against Barcelona at Wembley on May 28 when both of the team will do their best to clinch their fourth European Cup title.

Ferguson said, “This is the best competition in the world, all the best teams are there. To get to the final is an achievement itself, but to win it is the ultimate”.

Antonio Valencia with teammates. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

Ferguson said of his squad players, “I think you have to trust them sometimes. It was not an easy decision to make, one I wrestled with for a few days.”

Sensing victory very early in the match, the home crowd started chanting “We’re going to Wem-ber-ley” as soon as Valencia found the back of the net.

Schalke 04 coach Rangnick told press conference, “We have to admit we possibly could have gone out in earlier rounds… but we came to our level this evening. The quality of the (United) players certainly stands out. Berbatov, Anderson and (the) two central defenders — most Bundesliga sides would be happy to have that sort of quality in their teams.”