Champions League 2011 First Semi Finals (Second Leg) II
By skysuccess
@skysuccess (8858)
Singapore
May 4, 2011 8:26pm CST
What can I say about the just concluded second leg semi finals between Manchester United and Schalke04, with United playing host for the return leg?
Entertaining indeed but Schalke04 would not be laughing for sure as they were being bulldozed by a team of second stringers. Sir Alex Ferguson did not just substituted 1 or 2 of his regular line ups but 9, which is really a surprisingly daring move. But, I don't think his reputation is not hearsay with his charges proving their worth.
Schalke04 just could not equalize the 2 goal deficit they incurred on the first leg and with the second stringers from United, I was expecting a nail biting finish with the regulars coming on in the 2nd half.
However, his young charges proved more than their worth when they walk into the changing room with a 2-1 score after the first half. Goals coming from Antonio Valencia and Darron Gibson, United got assured that there was no way back for Schalke, who were already two goals down from the first leg.
Just when I thought that Schalke04 would pull something out after the break, the match just went into cruising mode for United and had it not been for the safe hands of their national custodian, Schalke04 would even find themselves with a double digit deficit. Before the final whistle, United's Anderson found the back of the net not once but twice bring the final score to 4 goals and Schalke04 with a consolation solitary goal from the first half.
Final score:
Manchester United - 4
Schalke04 - 1
Scorers:
Antonio Valencia (26') Manchester United
Darron Gibson (31')
Jose Jurado (35') Schalke04
Anderson (72') Manchester United
Anderson (76')
Total aggregate:
Manchester United - 6
Schalke04 - 1
2 responses
@bangipung (155)
• Indonesia
5 May 11
what can i say just manchester united is too strong for schalke 04. although most of manchester united player is the second team, but they can play very good. i just wonder, how if ferguson play his first team?
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
6 May 11
bangipung,
I believe Schalke04 just could not bring their game up and I have a hunch that they were pretty confused and insulted with the United's lineup.
First of all, this was a high profile game and Sir Alex Ferguson rested almost all of his first team players. Schalke04 must have felt that they had a chance to make up for their earlier humiliation before the whistle. But once the game started, they must have been awaken rudely by the keen play from their second string opponent.
At the end of the match, I couldn't but wonder what it might have been liked if Giggs converted some of the sitters during the first leg.
