Champions League 2011 First Semi Finals (First Leg)

Singapore
April 26, 2011 6:34pm CST
Probably too early to send out a congratulatory note to Manchester United for winning so impressively against Germany's Schalke04 in the first of the 2 legs UEFA Champions League semi-finals. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprise by the display from Manchester United considering this was an away match for them. As usual, such epic matches normally favors the home side which in this case was Schalke04. Boy, were they surprised when Manchester United brought the game to them by relentlessly attacking the home side from the start of the whistle. Schalke04 just was way beyond any pale or rather tint of a shadow, finding no answers to their guest. Which really made me wonder if their qualification in the semis was a fluke. Had it not been for the safe hands of Schalke04's German national goalkeeper Neuer and the floundering Manchester's veteran Ryan Giggs, this match would have been a walkover for the arriving guest. Just when everyone (I guess) was screaming for Giggs to be replaced, he finally justified all his squanders by scoring the first of the two goals in the 67th minute through a classic central defense breaking move and slotting the ball in between the goalkeeper's legs. So, with a commanding 2 away goals for Manchester United, I believe Raul (former Real Madrid star striker) and company will be facing a mammoth match on the second leg at Manchester's fold - Old Trafford, next week. I do not see them recovering or in fact, will face a thrashing if they played like what they did in this match. Can Manchester continue with its wrecking run and bulldoze Schalke04 out of the Champion League? Well, just having watched their first leg match, I have to say it can happen - but let's wait and see. Final score: Schalke04 - 0 Manchester United - 2 Scorers: 67' Ryan Giggs 69’Wayne Rooney P.S. Tonight will be another clash of the Titans semi-final (first leg) match between Real Madrid and Barcelona with Real Madrid hosting Barcelona for this clash. It is believed that this should actually be the League's final but fate does do funny things. It is going to be an end to end - nail biting match.
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1 response
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
30 Apr 11
I think we are almost there for a Man U vs. Barcelona Champions League final. I really cannot see Man U conceding 2 or three goals against this Schalke team at Old Trafford. Man U won by 2-0 and could have got another 2-3 goals on the bargain on the night. I think Schalke has surprised everyone by reaching this stage, but now they have just been exposed at this level by Man U. Cheers! Ram
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• Singapore
30 Apr 11
ram_cv, I think you have to agree with me that Schalke04's custodian is really an exceptional and I could see why he is being Germany's first choice. I believe Schalke04 is indeed a very changed side and their entering into the Champion's League tournament is already a surprise. I suppose all good things will have to come to an end, where luck is concern. But, I will not call it all luck especially when this is a high prolific tournament. So, I wouldn't be too quick to count the chickens here as anything can happen on the next 90 minutes. After all, as the saying goes: "The ball is always round".
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