Nothing to Brag(a) About. What is it with Manchester
United offering teams head starts in Champions League games? Time and
again, they approach their home games at Old Trafford with a generosity
akin to a golfer giving his opponent a stroke
advantage on every hole. Sure enough, United found themselves two goals
down after 20 minutes to Portugese side Braga on Tuesday, as veteran
Brazilian striker Alan gave the Red Devils a mountain to climb (in fact,
it was the eighth time out of 12 games this season in which United have
trailed). The back four were shaky, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s
decision to rest stalwarts Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra seeming more
foolish by the minute. And foolish is the apt term to describe how
make-shift centre-half Michael Carrick was made to look on the second
goal. But then again, who are we to question Sir Alex, who has presided
over more comebacks than Frank Sinatra.
His Mexican striker Javier Hernandez scored with headers either side of
a scrambled Jonny Evans equalizer to complete the fightback. It was the
first time Utd. has recovered from a 0-2 deficit in the Champions
League since the epic 1999 semi-final second leg against Juventus. They
went on to lift the trophy that year (they also won the domestic league
and FA Cup to give them the treble) so Fergie will be hoping for similar
success this season.
(MORE: Will Soccer Ever Be Able to Kick Racism Out?)
Leaving It Late. But if Man Utd. has designs on the
Champions League, you’d imagine that all paths have to go through
favorites Barcelona, who most recently won the trophy by defeating Utd.
3-1 in 2011. The Barca players and fans must have been anticipating a
walk in the (Camp Nou) park to chalk up a 100th win in the competition
by dispatching Scottish champions Celtic. But the Scots have proved
nobody’s mugs thus far, and entered Tuesday’s game unbeaten in the
group.
Incredibly, much like Braga, they found themselves with a precious
lead within 20 minutes as Barca’s Javier Mascherano diverted Charlie
Mulgrew’s free-kick into his own net to give Celtic a shock lead (but
much like Utd., Barca have had their defensive difficulties this
campaign, conceding the first goal on no less than seven occassions).
Even before going in front, Celtic had goalkeeper Fraser Forster to
thank for keeping out Marc Bartra’s header. He also saved Adriano
Correia’s effort and saw attempts from Bartra and Lionel Messi whistle
wide while his team hung on to their precious advantage. But he was
unable to stop Xavi and Andres Iniesta combining as Iniesta leveled on
the stroke of half time. While Celtic had a glorious opportunity to
regain the lead seven minutes into the second half – Victor Wanyama
couldn’t convert Mulgrew’s pinpoint corner – it then became the Forster
show. A string of miraculous saves denied the great Messi, as well as
Iniesta, and when substitute David Villa hit the post with time running
out, it appeared that one of the finest nights in Celtic’s proud history
was upon us. But Jordi Alba found himself unmarked to poach a winner in
injury time from just a yard out and break Scottish hearts in the
process. But Celtic can take pride from their performance and will be
keen to get something out of the return fixture on November 7.
(MORE: TIME’s Cover Story on Messi)
Woe No.
Some of Europe‘s
biggest sides came a cropper on Wednesday night. Spanish champions Real
Madrid slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund though it should be
pointed out that Dortumund are arguably the best club side in Germany
and were some experts’ pre-season dark horses to go far in the Champions
League this season. Dortmund’s star striker, Polish player Robert
Lewandowski, put them 1-0 up in the first half but — guess who? —
Cristiano Ronaldo leveled the score just two minutes later. Remarkably,
CR7 has scored 12 of Real Madrid’s 24 goals in the Champions League in
2012.
But staggering statistic aside, it was the Germans who notched a
winner through Marcel Schmelzer. And while Dortmund could celebrate a
famous victory, the two English sides in action Wednesday weren’t so
fortunate. Arsenal were favored to see off their German opposition in
the form of Schalke but late strikes from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and
Ibrahim Affelay did for the Gunners. And English Premier League
champions Manchester City went down 3-1 at Ajax despite taking a first
half lead courtesy of former Arsenal midfielder Samri Nasri. Crucially
for the Dutch side, Siem de Jong equalized on the stroke of half-time
and second half goals from Niklas Moisander and Christian Eriksen have
rooted City to the bottom of group D with Ajax chasing down Real Madrid
for the second qualifying spot behind current leaders Dortmund. As for
Ajax, it marked their first win against English opposition since 1980.
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