Benfica 2005
The team that sent Manchester United crashing out of the UEFA champions league.
After switching off the TV, I did not throw the remote control like a baseball, smashed my TV set and got my eyes temporarily blind by glass splinters. Rather, I calmly place the remote down softly on my sofa and thought quietly about the future of my childhood club.
So many glorious European nights Manchester United had given me. The 4-0 thrashing of Porto at Old Trafford where Ronny Johnsen, Ryan Giggs and Eric Cantona were simply out of the world that night. That wonderful 3-3 draw against the Rivaldo-led Barcelona at Nou Camp. The 3-2 comeback victory against Juventus at Turin where Roy Keane ran his own show that day. That unbelievable night at Nou Camp when we saw Samuel Kuffour punching the ground, Oliver Kahn looking up the sky holding back his tears when they were outdone by 2 injury time goals.
I remember the Group of Death for Manchester United in 1999, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Brondby. Manchester United finished the group with 2 wins and 4 draws. Knock 11 goals past Brondby home and away. Two 3-3 draws with Barcelona and two 1-1 draws with Bayern Munich. That's a massive 22 goals if u do the math.
This year's group for Man U: Villareal, Benfica and Lille. It's probably one of the easiest group in the campaign alongside Arsenal's group. Besides Juan Roman Riquelme, there are hardly any big names from the 3 teams put together. Yet only a miserly 3 goals were scored over 6 games. That is really shameful for a side like Man United's pedigree, seasoned European campiagners with stars like Rooney, Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy who netted 44 goals in the Champion's League already.
An unceremonious exit from Europe is hard to swallow when you piece those glorious night of European football in the past with the present. Choosing between the UEFA Cup or total exclusion in Europe, I would have chose the latter. The UEFA Cup is a cup for Europe's minnows, the second-strings and it will be painful seeing Man U competing against unknown teams, competing for a trophy that is hardly worthy for Man U's name and club history.
Nobody knows what has gone wrong for Manchester United's European campaign this year. They have always been strong favourites, they are so experienced, Gary Neville holds the record for most number of Champions's league appearances and Wayne Rooney always looking eager to take on any side in the world. Domestically, they have picked up their momentum a little but in Europe, early fuck-ups in their home games against Villareal and Lille have left them an uphill task at Lisbon.
It is a sad day for all Man United fans and a very sad month as well with the death of George Best. And yes, I do sound like Chistopher today.
After switching off the TV, I did not throw the remote control like a baseball, smashed my TV set and got my eyes temporarily blind by glass splinters. Rather, I calmly place the remote down softly on my sofa and thought quietly about the future of my childhood club.
So many glorious European nights Manchester United had given me. The 4-0 thrashing of Porto at Old Trafford where Ronny Johnsen, Ryan Giggs and Eric Cantona were simply out of the world that night. That wonderful 3-3 draw against the Rivaldo-led Barcelona at Nou Camp. The 3-2 comeback victory against Juventus at Turin where Roy Keane ran his own show that day. That unbelievable night at Nou Camp when we saw Samuel Kuffour punching the ground, Oliver Kahn looking up the sky holding back his tears when they were outdone by 2 injury time goals.
I remember the Group of Death for Manchester United in 1999, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Brondby. Manchester United finished the group with 2 wins and 4 draws. Knock 11 goals past Brondby home and away. Two 3-3 draws with Barcelona and two 1-1 draws with Bayern Munich. That's a massive 22 goals if u do the math.
This year's group for Man U: Villareal, Benfica and Lille. It's probably one of the easiest group in the campaign alongside Arsenal's group. Besides Juan Roman Riquelme, there are hardly any big names from the 3 teams put together. Yet only a miserly 3 goals were scored over 6 games. That is really shameful for a side like Man United's pedigree, seasoned European campiagners with stars like Rooney, Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy who netted 44 goals in the Champion's League already.
An unceremonious exit from Europe is hard to swallow when you piece those glorious night of European football in the past with the present. Choosing between the UEFA Cup or total exclusion in Europe, I would have chose the latter. The UEFA Cup is a cup for Europe's minnows, the second-strings and it will be painful seeing Man U competing against unknown teams, competing for a trophy that is hardly worthy for Man U's name and club history.
Nobody knows what has gone wrong for Manchester United's European campaign this year. They have always been strong favourites, they are so experienced, Gary Neville holds the record for most number of Champions's league appearances and Wayne Rooney always looking eager to take on any side in the world. Domestically, they have picked up their momentum a little but in Europe, early fuck-ups in their home games against Villareal and Lille have left them an uphill task at Lisbon.
It is a sad day for all Man United fans and a very sad month as well with the death of George Best. And yes, I do sound like Chistopher today.
posted by jingli K at 2:42 PM
1 Comments:
your post encapsulates what i feel. it's such a sad time man :/
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