United must beat Mourinho at his own game in tomorrow night’s Champions League second-leg showdown at Old Trafford.
Sit back and hit ’em on the
break. Or score from a set-piece.
Fergie’s boys did exactly that at the Bernabeu and it worked.
Danny Welbeck headed home from a corner. Robin van Persie had three clear chances on the break and Ryan Giggs had another.
Mourinho did exactly that against Barcelona twice and Real won both Clasicos last week.
In the Copa, Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty which he won after a lightning-quick counter-attack.
He tapped home the rebound after Sami Khedira’s 70-yard clearance fell to Angel Di Maria who ran Carles Puyol ragged. Rafa Varane headed Real’s third from a corner.
So Fergie must give Ronaldo & Co the ball to “make” the game.
The Special One knows that all too well of course.
In the Press conference before the first leg against United at the Bernabeu Mourinho said: “We both have a responsibility to make sure this is a beautiful game.” Yeah, right.
After the 1-1 draw that left United in the driving seat Mourinho said: “I don’t expect a British team to play at home and sit back and defend for 90 minutes like they did here.”
The irony of it all brought a knowing smile to those present.
Mourinho should know better than to take on the master of the mind games.
Yes, his record against Ferguson is impressive, but trying to goad the Scot into “attacking” is nothing short of foolishly naïve.
Madrid had 38 per cent possession in the Copa Clasico. On Saturday night here in Madrid they had 27 per cent in the first half and 41 per cent in the second.
Barca had the ball, Madrid the chances on the break.
Madrid’s opener came from a mistake in midfield, a pass down the wing and Alvaro Morata’s great cross against a back-tracking defence as Karim Benzema pounced.
Here they call this “pim, pam, poum”.
Sergio Ramos’ headed winner came from a corner.
Fergie has the nous. United played the cat-and-mouse game in the semi-final against Barca in 2008.
And Paul Scholes’ winner at Old Trafford took them to the final where they beat Chelsea on penalties.
Bashing Barca twice boosted Madrid ahead of Old Trafford, sure.
Yet there is a difference between the Catalans and the Red Devils. Fergie can mix it up tactically.
Barcelona played the Copa semi-final exactly how Mourinho wanted them to. Despite being in the lead on away goals after their 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, Barca attacked. United have the same scoreline in their favour.
Expect Mourinho to call for an open game in this afternoon’s presser.
And wily old fox Ferguson to sit back and smile. Just like United must do tomorrow
No comments:
Post a Comment