LONDON • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows all about improbable Champions League comebacks.
It was 20 years ago in Barcelona, where he scored the late winner against Bayern Munich after Teddy Sheringham had equalised just moments before, to give Manchester United a second European Cup.
Next Tuesday, at the same ground where Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 30 Champions League games since 2013, the manager believes United can summon that 1999 spirit to knock out the Catalans, who lead their quarter-final 1-0 thanks to Luke Shaw's 12th-minute own goal on Wednesday.
"We've scored goals at the Nou Camp before from corners and crosses," said Solskjaer, who suffered his fourth defeat in five matches since masterminding a miraculous comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
Last month, United became the first team to overcome a 2-0 first-leg home deficit and their 3-1 win in Paris gives the Red Devils "hope and belief we can do it".
Solskjaer added: "But we know we are playing against probably the tournament favourites and going to the Nou Camp will be a challenge.
"It will be a bigger achievement winning that one because with the history of Barcelona, they are not used to losing at home, but we can do it."
United can hope but, in their hearts, they must know that Barca are not PSG and, unless they can find a way to seeing more of the ball and using it to greater effect, they could end up with what they handed out to Lionel Messi: a bloodied nose.
With Messi looking mortal for a change, Barcelona were far from their best, but they still secured the win after Luis Suarez's far post header from the Argentinian's pass deflected in off Shaw and was confirmed by the video assistant referee after initially being given offside.
United defender Chris Smalling had said "bring it on" at the prospect of facing Messi on the eve of the game. And he left the 31-year-old bloodied from the nose as he careered into an aerial challenge on the half-hour mark.
United had excellent performers, with youngster Scott McTominay delivering a performance of real maturity, but Solskjaer simply cannot be happy with a quarter-final home leg that did not feature a single attempt on target.
0
It is the first time Manchester United have failed to have a single shot on target in a Champions League game since March 2005, in a 1-0 loss at AC Milan.8
Luke Shaw's own goal was the eighth United have scored in the Champions League. No team have conceded more in the history of the competition.
Barca manager Ernesto Valverde is not taking anything for granted and said the tie is still finely poised.
"It leaves a good taste in the mouth to win here, but we know it is not a big enough lead given what happened (with PSG) in the last round," said the Spaniard.
United midfielder Paul Pogba said it is possible to win if they can be "killers in front of goal".
"We saw a team we can beat. If you don't believe that, then you just let them go through," he said.
"We believe we can beat them. They are Barcelona, but we are Manchester United... We have to avoid giving them chances and be killers in front of goal.
"We have to keep believing. It is a Champions League game and we know we can hurt them as well as they can hurt us."
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
WOLVERHAMPTON, March 17: Wolverhampton Wanderers reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998 by beating last year's runners-up Manchester United 2-1 with a clinical second-half display in an intense atmosphere at their Molineux stadium on Saturday.
Jimenez, Jota slay Manchester United as Wolves reach FA Cup
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals. (Source: Reuters) Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday's 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley, returning his side to winning ways after two straight defeats.
Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over Burnley | The World Game
(16 Feb 2019) Friends and family bid farewell to Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala's on Saturday, during a ceremony in his hometown of Progreso Emiliano Sala's father and brother carried his
Emiliano Sala's Grieving Argentine Hometown Bids Farewell
Southampton secured their Premier League status for another year after a thrilling 3-3 home draw with Bournemouth on Saturday as Cardiff City slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham. The draw put
Southampton stay up after thrilling 3 3 draw with Bournemouth
Cesc Fabregas completes move from Chelsea to Monaco on deal until 2022 Spaniard joins old Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry at Stade Louis II as club finally announce his arrival with a strange
Transfers: Cesc Fabregas completes move from Chelsea to AS
Valencia secured Champions League football for the second year in a row by winning 2-0 at Real Valladolid on Saturday, clinching fourth place in La Liga at the expense of Getafe who drew 2-2 at
Valencia clinch Champions League spot, Getafe in Europa
'Expired' Molde deal to ease way for Solskjaer LONDON • Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that his contract at Norwegian club Molde may have expired, paving the way for him to take charge permanently at Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Solskjaer's deal at Molde expires giving interim boss clear
Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw Posted on March 10, 2019 by yasir kaneria in Football , Sports Sarri's side were seconds away from another damaging defeat after Raul Jimenez put Wolves ahead at Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw
Quagliarella becomes oldest Italy scorer. Serie A top scorer Quagliarella has earned his recall to Roberto Mancini's new-look Italy thanks to his 21 goals in 28 league games, two more than
Quagliarella becomes Italy's oldest international - goal.com
05/05/2019 Soccer: Europa League is right for Manchester United - Solskjaer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his side have got what they deserve having qualified for the Europa League
'The Europa League is the right place to be for us': Ole
Olivier Giroud said on Wednesday he has been approached by other clubs to play for them next season, but he added he wanted to extend his stay Chelsea. Giroud demands important role at Chelsea
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea next season
Football: Real Madrid end awful campaign with 12th league
Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to beat Valencia 3-1 on Thursday. The Gunners take the advantage in their Europa League semi-final as the French striker cancelled out
0 comments:
Post a Comment