Job Done in Denmark

Aalborg 0-3 United
Champions League 2008/09; attendance 10,346
Reduced to being shown on ITV4 with Arsenal getting the prime ITV1 coverage.But at least it's in the proper aspect ratio this season, no more black borders around the action. Let's get to the football. Full strength attackers. Rafael DaSilva starts as full back - he's great, he can actually get out of trouble by dribbling past opponents. Alround it looked a comfortable performance. My man of the match was Rio Ferdinand for just being a great defender. The top story is that Berbatov scores two goals - in fact two good goals. I thought he'd disappeared for some of the match - can only describe it as a hanging back style. But right place, right time and cool finishing.

A home win against Celtic in two weeks and qualification to the knock-out stage is in view. What a difference a week makes.

Few Sparks No Goals All Square

United 0-0 Villarreal
Champions League 2008/09 Game 1/6 att: 74,499

It seemed like an age since I last went to Old Trafford and so was looking forward to that familiar trek to that familiar seat 274 in Row 8. First half had the usual bright start but it would take a bit of luck or a substitution to get past Villarreal. They're a good side, nothing fancy but work well. At last half time came and for twenty minutes we watched the big pink moon climb in the sky above east stand. Usually a good omen. The highlight of the second half was Ronaldo coming on. Great reception from the crowd - singing the songs as he put on the red shirt. Anderson came on as well, another crowd favourite. Really thought we'd get that one goal to win it. But no, and when Tevez went off and Giggs came on the attacking play petered out.

But 0-0 in the Celtic v. Aarlborg game so everyone has a point apiece. Need an away win somewhere to ensure getting through.
Game 38: Cost £35, half time snack a large Twix bar.

On the way home we saw our old mate Les just back from the FC United FA Cup replay. Lost in a seven goal thriller against Nantwich Town. Oh well sometimes you don't have it all your way.

Just A Pic :Double Champions 2008

You have to enjoy the moments when they are here. After a season that went to the last two games and a penalty shoot-out to collect the double I think a few more weeks of trumpet blowing is in order.
Manchester Evening News

Just A Pic : Front Page of Evening News

For the Manchester Evening News coverage in quotes, photos and video go here.
There is a 32 page Manchester United special being published on Tuesday next. Will I be buying it? Yes, no news black out here. Watching everything - it only happens a few times in life.

We've Won it 3 Times

United 1-1 Chelsea United
win on penalties 6-5 after extra time
UEFA Champions League Final : ITV1

The tension and adrenaline kicked in hours before the game. Couldn't face eating a dinner, settled for a sandwich and beer. What a match - thought United would win it in the first half about 3-0. Thought Chelsea would win it the second half and they came very, very close. But still in it at 90 minutes, and at 120 minutes. Oh, the dreaded penalty shoot-out, a cruel lottery - bring back the fairness of a cup replay. We never win on penalties - bit like England in this department. But fate has it otherwise - EdwinVan der Sar saves from Anelka - it takes a few seconds for it to register but United are the Champions of Europe. The champagne comes out of the fridge, break open the jaffa cakes (it used to be our favourite half time snack when they sold them at Old Trafford)....i'm getting photos on the mobile from celebrations in town, can hear a few fireworks from somewhere, sack the beer now let's have some good red wine. A night that will live long in the memory.

Believe believe

Believe #2 from biffadigital on Vimeo
This is a mash-up montage of footage from before the start of the United v. Barcelona semi-final. I thought I was holding up a white sheet of plastic that was spelling the word 'Believe'. It was not until I saw some clips on YouTube that we were part of something saying '68 / 99'. Seeing as that match, though not the best in football, was the most tense, noisiest and memorable I've been to in years I put this together. It's to celebrate the achievement of getting to the Champions League Final. Not thrown the plastic away - I wonder if someone is buying them on eBay.

Believe! Looking forward to the coverage from Moscow. Just the getting there after witnessing so many semi-final defeats. I'm now hoping, praying and believing the trophy will come back on the plane to Manchester.

Believe, it's Moscow

United 1-0 Barcelona att:75,061
UEFA Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg

Believe from biffadigital on Vimeo.
Knew this was going to be a nervy, very nervy match. Everyone I spoke to couldn't or wouldn't predict the outcome. So until it's the two goal cushion time it would always be t-e-n-s-e. So 1 nil up, out of the blue from Paul Scholes. The ball appeared to travel for ever in slow motion, the keeper dived up, but a wicked swerve took it into the top corner. I realised watching the replays it was 25 yards out and watching from behind the travelling ball made the illusion of time deceptive.

Had to stand all through the match, a brief sit down at half time and back to the tension. Long spells of Barcelona having the ball in United's half doesn't make for comfortable watching. Knowing that any defensive era at any moment would lose the tie. The crowd were fantastic, best I've ever been part of. The return of scarf twirling. Constant whistling when Barcelona had the ball - it's what they do abroad to upset the away side. Cheering, singing right up to the end and beyond the whistle. Went home with a sore throat and physically drained. Been to several semi-finals, and usually it's willing the team to get goals. This time it was willing the team to defend. Not just the last five minutes but the last twenty minutes. Still can't believe, at last, United have got to their 4th European final...

Happiest moment : holding up a piece of white plastic to help spell out the word Believe - didn't think it would look that good. My man of the match was Ji-Sun Park for tireless work and never complains when he's fouled.

Job done at the Nou Camp

Barcelona 0-0 United
Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg
To come back to from Nou Camp with it still 0-0 isn't a bad result. Okeh, Ronaldo missed a penalty and at that point I recalled the last time which was West Ham away, a game we lost. It sets it up for next Tuesday at Old Trafford. United need to be on fire, I'll need a large brandy and the crowd hopefully will get behind the team...

Roma seen off : now for the SF

United 1-0 AS Roma : attendance 74,423
Set off for a night match at Old Trafford and it was still daylight and not raining. A week ago I would have thought winning this tie was done. But after last Sunday at Middlesboro with a shaky defence then that certainty.

A bright spell of attacking football, hoping for an early goal. Then out of the blue Roma are awarded a penalty. Well it didn't look that way from row 8. It crossed my mind that the officials had been nobbled. So lots of whistles and booing at the injustice. The bit were the team tries to delay the penalty kick - a nice touch from Van der Sar having a slug of water from a bottle. You then have several thousand supporters in the Stretford End waving their arms about trying to create a distraction. De Rossi skied it into row 50.

Second half got a bit jittery but the defending was resolute. Then Tevez scores with low flying header from a Hargreaves cross. The cheering, and the collective sigh of relief. You could see from the Roma players they knew it was all over. No way back to score three goals.

Other interesting points... Eric Cantona getting a big cheer and some old songs when it was announced he was in attendance. The return of Gary Neville for the last ten minutes in mid-field. Every touch he made got a cheer. Another great night - and more to come.

Big Night Big Game Big Win

AS Roma 0-2 United
Winning by two away goals is some big result. It's more than you could ever hope for! It's not over yet, but it's a 3 goal mountain to climb by Roma.

So I've got the telly blasting out ITV for the big game. On the side two laptops that I can keep an eye on. Left one has Skelmersdale v. FC United on NPL internet tv. The right one is for dipping into United on Fire live blog, and trying to find out who is on the bench 'cos I missed that bit.

All this technology doesn't help you enjoy the evening any better. There is always too much tension that's never helped by commentators saying United have booked their place in the semi-final with 20 minutes left in the game. But top class play by the team - Park was a little dynamo, Ferdinand was world class.

Over at FC United game it ended 0-0. That's a good result against the top of the table side - still in with a chance of promotion.

Break out the red wine I need to wind down after all this....

Roma Will be Fine

Champions League Theme from biffadigital on Vimeo.
Yet another night to savour at Old Trafford and that music that always makes me feel a wee bit nervous. So it's AS Roma again. I was hoping for 28-1 outsiders Shalke 04 as I've never seen them but Roma will do. Prior to 2007 United had never played AS Roma in a competitive match and now this will be the 5th & 6th time. So far 2-1L, 7-1W, 1-1D, 1-0W...Bring it on. Much of getting through to the semi-finals will depend on the away leg Tuesday 1st April. Have to come back from Roma without a mountain to climb.

Edgey Win; Next Stop the QF

United 1-0 Olympique Lyonnaise att: 75,521

I had a feeling of foreboding sat in my seat waiting for this match. Lyonnais must have won the coin toss because the teams swopped ends. A bad omen thinking back to Derby day, and considering sunlight and wind were not an issue I was wondering why? Eventually just before half time Ronaldo scored through a mele of players in the box. Massive relief, thank heavens for that. Unfortunately there was no second goal to secure the tie. Fortunately the United defence were in command reducing their attacks to pot shots on goal. Keita hit the post which was closest it came to an equaliser. In all an edgey game, and I think the crowd thought so too. Very few left early which is unusual at Old Trafford. Got home to watch the highlights on ITV1.

Au Théâtre des Rêves

Thought I'd check the offical Olympic Lyonnaise site out ahead of tomorrow night's big night at Old Trafford. "Les Lyonnais sont dans un cadre magnifique… ils ont écourté la balade en raison du froid… ils ont foulé en fin d’après-midi la pelouse d’Old Trafford…" The Lyonnais are in a magificent setting, they made a short walk, reason it's cold in the late afternoon on the pitch of Old Trafford. Your translation might differ.They make a few references to the cold and the snow on the site. It tried to snow but it didn't stick, and as for cold - it's not that bad - it'll probably be around 4 degrees at kick off time. But what is Sébastien Chabal (trademark beard) from Sale Sharks doing in the picture? Hope he's not playing tomorrow.

So another big night of European football, for me I just love these games. Prediction it's going to be a very close win by United. After the stroll out and win against Fulham on Saturday this should be top draw tension. P.S. If I was any good at predictions I'd be a gambler and stopped working long ago.

An away draw is a good result

Olympique Lyonnais 1-1 United : Att: 39,230
0-0 half time looking good, then 1-0 down and your mind goes through the scenarios you face in the return leg like you've got to win 2-0 or 3-1 but not 2-1.
"Carlos Tevez scores late to cancel out Karim Benzema's brilliant opener for a 1-1 Champions League draw for Man Utd in Lyon" - BBC website.

Tevez 87 minutes. It's 1-1 and your mind still works out the possibilities which all come down to a winning by any score at Old Trafford. So a big night on Tuesday 4th March. We'll be there.

Meanwhile we'll be away in Den Haag, Zuid-Holland on Saturday. Hopefully the Irish pub in town will be screening the Newcastle United away fixture - Setanta 1 (UK), Sport 1 (NL).

Played out for a point

This was the 4th time United have played Roma this year, and the first time with nothing at stake. Except for a bit of pride after I found out who was on the plane to the eternal city. Didn't want another match like the v.poor effort against Coventry City with the younger members of the squad. But 1-1 was a good result.

The draw for the knock-out bit of the Champions League is a week on Friday 21st December at 1100h GMT/UTC, after which it's all big European nights - not like tonight.

Top Spot in Group Table

All three goals in front of the Stretford End and all of them crackers. Where did that first one come from? We're 0-1 down. It looked like a serving cross that sneaked into the bottom far corner. Without the benefit of tv replay at the time you wonder what's gone wrong. Second half, bring on Giggs and Tevez straight away. It changes everything. Now we look like a team who are going to score. Eventually the equaliser comes, it's a Tevez tap in and at least it's a draw. The lightweights who have to beat the traffic drift away at 85 minutes. When you've paid £33 you want every second of action. At this point we try and guess the figure for those immortal words "the referee has indicated there will be a minimum of 4 minutes extra time". Free kick, Ronaldo, and we watch it blast into the top corner. Leave with a happy heart. Okeh we've won the group but it means nowt - there are lots of good teams who come second and get to the knock out stages.

12 points and qualified

Yet another 4 goals in a comfortable display against Dynamo Kiev. I was quietly hoping for 9 walking the last mile to the ground. Just to beat Liverpool getting 8 the night before.

I can't remember a match with no added time, either on the first half or second half. Usually the game is stopped for some injury but nobody needed anything from whatever they keep in those sports bags these days in place of the wet sponge. The ref also had no time for players falling over, diving, rolling on the floor or getting knocked down. Wayne Rooney still managed to get himself booked for a 50 yard dash to scythe down someone who had elbowed him a minute earlier. You need to be subtle about these things and wait for a good opportunity.

On a better night with a stronger team it could have been a higher score. Just comedy antics trying to score the third goal. Well we were laughing on Row 8 in the Stretford End at the scrambles in front of goal. But then you cPublish Postan be relaxed about these things when you know your going into draw for the knock-out stages...
Stats : 4-0, Attendance 75,017, Half Time Snack: Time Out chocolate bars x.2

Reds get to 9 points

Kiev were pretty poor, United could have got 7, but we'll settle for a 2-4 win and a whole 9 points. Get them back to Old Trafford in a fortnight, stuff them and then we can relax about the remaining games and think about the knock-out stages. Looked good tonight, that's three successive games scoring four goals.

Another big night

It got its billing as "A Big Night of European Football" - Roma back again at Old Trafford. Bit anxious over whether United would win this time. The game changed when Tevez came on in the second half - I thought he played a blinder creating holes in the Roma defence trying to dribble through three players. Come the 70th minute the goal, and that's all we hope for is just one goal. It was one very long, slow, second after Rooney's shot hit the post and trickled across the line. The stadium erupted. Managed to catch a blow to the back of the head from a flying body. Not the sort of accident you expect in a seating area. Watched the remaining match with a banging headache. When you win you don't suffer. Rush home so you catch the story on the news and have a nice bottle of organic Chianti to go with it.

Sporting Lisbon v. United 07/08

Yet another one goal win. Can't complain it was a cracker from Ronaldo and a flight home with three points. Nice touch from the Sporting fans who gave him an ovation when he left the pitch. I wasn't looking forward to this match but we can all sleep easier tonight.

Road to Moscow

This will do nicely the Champions League draw Group F : Manchester United, AS Roma, Sporting Clube de Portugal, FC Dynamo Kyiv. Though personally I always want a team I've never seen before drawn out of those big bags. No Shakhtar Donetsk, Slavia Praha or SS Lazio then.

Now we have to wait a day or so until the fixture list is drawn up, another week before the United ticket office get it together, and 20 days until the first match. Can't expect another 7-1 win over Roma like last season - an unbelievable night at Old Trafford, but can expect crowd trouble at the game in Rome.

AC Milan v. United

Lost 3-0, 5-3 on aggregate. Dream over and shattered for another season.

United v. AC Milan

Another big night of European football. This is why you support, it's for those few massive games. After the first goal went in, about 5 minutes in, it was standing until the end. Tension, disappointment to let in two soft goals, but the perfect finish with an injury time winner from Wayne Rooney. The ref only gave 2 minutes extra play - even after deliberate time wasting, Ronaldo crashing into the advert hoardings, and a stretcher taking a Milan player down the tunnel so he could then walk out and go to the dug out. The crowd was still singing after the match, it was that big a game. Won 3-2, more next week.

United v. Roma

Predicted hanging on to 2-o at 90 minutes. To find you're winning 4-0 at half time left me dazed. Surely they can't come back and get three goals. No it was 7-1. Big European night - stormed into the semi-final. You don't get many matches like this in a lifetime so drank too much to celebrate. Just fantastic.
Goals : Carrick 12, Smith 17, Rooney 19, Ronaldo 44, 49, Carrick 60, Evra 81.
No Consolation goal : De Rossi 69.

Roma v. United

I liked this quote "United, never a side to take the easy option when the difficult route is still open to them". A goal down and only 10 men at half time. This was then a damage limitation. Fortunately a superb goal by Rooney gives the benefit of the away goal. Lost 2-1, could have been a lot worse. All to play for next Tuesday.

Price Increase

Sneaked this in - a wee price increase for the Champions League 1st knockout round game against Lille. Plus further price rises should United progress to any more rounds. Tickets for these games often go on open sale to fill the stadium.
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