It started on a high. Flattened. Sunk. Then soared.
It was just what you'd expect from a United/Chelski clash. But this time the Gods showed United mercy. In all fairness Chelsea played a hard fought match, dominating the second half with as many shots on goal as to the body. Red cards flew like confetti.There was kicking, spitting, head butts, ####ery, and finally face slapping. It was Dynasty in cleats.
Both teams were spent, as were both sets of supporters, before the
unthinkable but completely believable happened a: penalty shootout in a
deluge.
The match within the match took everyone for a ride (inducing mass motion sickness). Ronaldo was the first to blame. Then Terry. Then Anelka. Then back to Terry. Then all of London. And ultimately Jose Mourinho. Just because it feels so good.
In the end the Reds won fair and square. Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Edwin van
der Sar's penalty shoot-out heroics as "no accident" after the
Manchester United goalkeeper clinched the Champions League trophy with
his stop from Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka.All in all, not a bad season.
OK, before I rant about United's upcoming victory in Moscow, i should preface it with an overdue shout out to United's Premiership victory, and those of us celebrating it worldwide.
Once again I was banished to the Polish Social Club because Nevada Smiths was packed to the rafters (why do they allow Chelsea supporters entry)? Regardless, the atmosphere was brilliant, hardly a Chelsea supporter in sight, and the boys were in fine voice. After the victory we all headed up 3rd Ave to Nevada's. That's when the party was in full swing.
The best thing about watching an British cup victory in NY is walking up 3rd Ave after. It's as if you're in Manchester, London, or wherever your club calls home. High fives. Low fives. Chelsea and United fans patting each on the back (instead of stabbing). You wouldn't see this anywhere else. Nope. Only in New York.
Back to Moscow. The only thing that could stop United from beating Chelsea is a few billion rubles, or another worlds Roman Abromovich. Sadly, it's how things are done in Russia. And in Chelsea.
Guess we'll see when the Red Army goes marching on.
Brilliant
night. Once that United needed badly after suffering a loss and 2 ties.
I needed it as well. Hopes were dim, but I still had 'em. I watched
every second with intensity. But it was the home support that really
gave me chills. That and cholesy whipping the 76,00+ into an unbridled frenzy.
I cherish visiting OT. Singing. Swilling. Savoring the moment. But I'd trade it for that one incredible night the lucky few can proudly say they witnessed. Against Barca. All together. All for one. Viewed all over the world.
I thought i'd already seen the best United can bring. Crushing defeats. Dirty derby songs in full voice. Liverpool limping off the pitch. But now it'll be hard tot top April 29, 2008. I just hope I'm standing proudly in the
Strettford End when it happens. And it will.
How
good are United? Good enough to beat Roma 3-0 on aggregate — with their
second team. To be fair they didn't lineup their reserves, but they did
field a very conservative, defensive side. Even so, Tevez’s 70th-minute
strike confirmed their place in the last four where they will face Frank Rijkaard's Spanish dancers.
Warming
the bench were Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes. That's
a pricey seat, but we'll need the lads healthy and angry to properly
demolish Arsenal this Sunday.
Giggsy
got his 100th Champions League cap, while Rio limped off after
preventing an area disaster, 3 stitches to the foot his reward.
The other semi sees our old friends Chelsea squaring off against the Scousers. Pa-leeeese. If this turns into another Ambien moment we'll know who to blame: Jose Mourinho - for not being there!
The
dream: United/Liverpool. The nightmare: the Champions League folds
because the Chelsea/Liverpool match gives off brain-numbing gamma rays
that eventually destroy the earth.
Trembling about the Liverpool Easter Massacre? Don't. I simply don't believe Rafa can convincingly conquer a big four side. It's that simple. Sure Liverpool's in good form of late, but it's not like they're the #1 ranked club in the world or anything. Who is?
How Many Tomorrow, Ronny? This should be good. Ronny's on fire. Liverpool's doing the can-can lineup number. The blue and red
teams, whose names we shall not mention, face off for a (prediction here)
nil-nil tie. Or at least some form of tie. Neither wants it like United.
Good week in Unitedville.
Publicly humiliating Arsenal was the right tonic to purge the previous
week's horrors and kick United into high gear for the knockout round of
the Champions League.
Two
special competitions in one week. As for Europe, you can't begin
without mentioning Ryan Giggs, superstar-centenarian. He's in good
company, being one of
only eight players to have reached the century mark in Europe’s top
club competition. And he went about it with the same intensity and
confidence that's put him on the world football map. That and his "I will eat your young" eyes.
The game itself saw Lyon
quick off the ball and United's defense shaky at best. Although van der
Sar made some nice saves, the midfield seemed to lose sight of its
passing and played on its heels. Then Sir Alex had the wisdom to make
key substitutions in the second half. Old blood out, new blood in.
Namely putting Carlos Tevez upfront and on point.
Once he put the ball in the back of the net one seemed to care about Rooney's sluggish (tired really) performance, Ronaldo's laser beam issue, and Olympic Mayonnaise altogether. So bask in the victory (& away tie) - who knows, it may even last a while. Unless of course Kevin Keegan and Newcastle put an end to it. And that just won't happen.
