"One of the great European
nights at Old Trafford"
One of the greatest nights
of European Cup football, Manchester United overcame the absence of
Roy Keane, the concession of a goal after 24 seconds, and all the pre-match
predictions to seize the initiative in Group B of the Champions' League.
It was a magnificent effort, full of character and commitment against a
team who were not afraid to use strong-arm tactics to stop the youthful
champions of England.
Confronted by adversity and aggression, Alex Ferguson's team would not
be put off, not by the bullying of Didier Deschamps or Paolo Montero, nor
by Alessandro Del Piero's early goal. They simply regrouped, refocused
their attacks to take in the wings, and began the humiliation of the European
Cup favourites. This was Juventus's first defeat in the Champions' League
group stage.
It was a team triumph, in which every United player gave his all, but mention
has to go to Teddy Sheringham, who scored on his first game in Europe.
With intelligent movement, and precision in possession, Sheringham at last
looked a United player. Paul Scholes, when he arrived, also confirmed his
international calibre, scoring United's second. The comeback was rounded
off brilliantly by Ryan Giggs, who mesmerised Juventus's right side before
drilling the ball in. Zinedine Zidane's late riposte from a free-kick did
little to ruin the party.
Concerned about Juventus's midfield threat, Ferguson played it safe in
Keane's absence, installing Ronny Johnsen as Zidane's shadow, briefly sacrificing
the attacking potential of Scholes. Ferguson's game plan was simple: to
squeeze the Italians' celebrated central midfield, a move that initially
saw United bereft of width.
Such was the power and precision
of Juventus's high-tempo start that United were forced to change strategies.
But before they could allow Ryan Giggs, who began in the space behind Sheringham
and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and David Beckham to take wing, United were struggling
in arrears, stung by one of the fastest goals in the history of the European
Cup.
From the kick-off Johnsen sought to dribble his way through Juventus's
midfield. What a mistake. Deschamps, once ridiculed by Eric Cantona as
a "water-carrier", pounced on a below-par touch, whisking the ball forward
as United sought to regain their shape. Too late. Deschamps and Manuel
Dimas worked the ball through United's back four, on towards Del Piero,
who sprinted into open space. United, and their incensed support, screamed
for offside but replays showed Del Peiro judged his dart exquisitely. United's
defence, not the referee's assistant, were at fault. So on Del Piero glided,
tricking Peter Schmeichel with skill, before sliding his 13th European
Cup goal into the net. Only the great Michel Platini has scored more for
the Old Lady in the greatest club competition of them all.
Old Trafford was in ferment. Every Juventus touch sparked booing. United
tried to keep their discipline but frustration crept in. Nicky Butt was
targeted by some rough challenges, an inelegant trait of the visitors,
one of which eventually took its toll, seeing the midfielder departing
from the fray after the half-hour mark. Down to 10 men, as Ferguson pondered
his options, United actually seemed a more potent unit. This was not simply
the doubled desire of men stirred by adversity. It was tactical, Giggs
at last heading for the wide pastures.
United had given notice of their
threat from the flanks, when Gary Neville's long throw ended with a Sheringham
header over-ruled for offside. Beckham, too, had used the space well, triggering
a move which saw the ball swept to Giggs, Sheringham and then Solskjaer,
whose low shot was well blocked by Angelo Peruzzi. But the message had
sunk in. After 37 minutes Sheringham drilled the ball out to Giggs on the
left and the Welshman was off, accelerating past two defenders before hoisting
the ball to the far post. Sheringham, continuing his run well, climbed
high to head across Peruzzi, who reacted too poorly to prevent the ball
going in. As the cheers rang around the ground, Scholes arrived to stiffen
United's midfield.
Juventus were soon punished for their bouts of cynicism. After 63 minutes
Deschamps departed for a second bookable offence, this time the blatant
grasping of Johnsen's shirt. Juventus were rattled and United seized their
chance. Within seven minutes they were ahead. Pallister harried Juventus's
back line and found Scholes, who coolly stroked through before slipping
the ball around Peruzzi and into the empty net. The Italians complained
that Sheringham was in an offside position but this time the linesman did
not come to the rescue.
Looking a beaten team, the World Champions were unable to retain possession
long enough to threaten a comeback and when Giggs blasted in the third
it was no less than the home side deserved. Sheringham laid the ball into
the path of Gigg's late run and the Welshman drove into the box before
smashing the ball into the top corner. Old Trafford dissolved into euphoria
which could not be affected by Zidane's late free-kick that put an undeserved
respectability on the scoreline. The atmosphere was muted momentarily by
the 18 yard dipping free-kick that left Peter Schmeichel rooted to the
spot. Even the Juventus faithful couldn't muster a cheer for their shellshocked
team. But minutes later 53,000 fans were celebrating one of the most satisfying
victories in Manchester United's history.
MANCHESTER UNITED: Schmeichel,
Irwin, G Neville, Pallister, Berg, Johnsen, Butt (Scholes), Beckham, Giggs,
Sheringham, Solskjaer (P Neville)
JUVENTUS: Peruzzi,
Ferrara, Montero,Pecchia,Dimas, Zidane, Deschamps, Birindelli, Tacchinardi,
Del Piero, Inzaghi
Sent Off: Deschamps
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