Beat AC Milan. Beat Chelsea twice. Beat Liverpool.
Do that, and you will be kings.
Of course, the media hacks and opposition fans don’t let it be that simple. For example, the common understanding outside Old Trafford is that Manchester United travel to the San Siro as under-dogs, and that the home victory was both lucky (caused by Milan’s injuries) and damaging (the two away goals).
Then there’s the question of United ever being able to beat a wounded Chelsea – having lost another Champions League semi-final (3 times in 4 years) and having almost lost the league (Chelsea have a 1% chance of winning it), there’s the FA Cup to play for and Chelsea will give it their all at Wembley.
And if – that’s a big IF – United beat Milan, there’s the question of beating Liverpool at Athens.
Wishful thinking, all this.
There’s not much to say about the San Siro game itself – Vidic and Ferdinand might be back, might not be back. Ferguson can’t take the risk of starting them and then having to withdraw them. On the other hand, not playing his best team will be a problem too.
All I know is that Milan will score, and that United will score. 1-1 suits us fine, so does any scoreline where we score 2 (I don’t think that Milan will score more than 3 goals).
The IMUSA (Independent Manchester United Supporters Association – they should’ve found a better name) says that Roma’s Ultras may be headed to Milan for the second leg of the semi final.
Manchester United’s staff has already been at San Siro to oversee security arrangments keeping in mind what has happened the last two times United played away in Europe, and while you have to be cautious in taking such reports seriously, the impact of this (outside the stadium, as I doubt that we’ll see any trouble inside the stadium) can be very dangerous.
Let’s hope there no (or minimal) violence, and we can all enjoy a fantastic game of football.
I’m pushing for Manchester United reaching the final. Milan will say that it’s their destiny to take revenge, although this time Liverpool may just be stronger than Milan. United will think that with the season they’ve had, they are the ones who are destined to play in Athens.
You can discuss the match here in the comments section. I’ll be putting up the match report and videos tomorrow morning, and will add-match specific info as I get it.
Update: James Richardson from the Guardian talks about Inzaghi.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
