UEFA Champions League Final
***** WEDNESDAY MAY 26 1999 *****
Venue: Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona)
Barcelona, Spain 26th May 1999
MANCHESTER UNITED
vs
BAYERN MUNICH
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The
Devil's Advocate "REDitorial"
commentary by Alex Paylor "RED
sky at night UNITED delight!"
www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Thu Apr 22 08:48:58 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. FERGUSON BEAMING OVER PERFECT MOMENT
2. Sir Matt's 90th
3. Match Report at Simplenet Fast load ... 12 of the best! :)
4. Getting better all the time by "Masterfan" Paul Hinson
5. First half was best of my life, says United's Ferguson nullSportswebnull
6. One of the Most Dramatic Comebacks in European Cup history.
7. Juventus 2 - 3 Manchester United United vault the final hurdle nullGuardiannull
8. manutd.com report (official site) Report
9. Armchair Personal report from DA in USA
10. Devils cloud Agnelli's heavenly vision clouded
11. BBC Match Report: United's glorious comeback
12. Minute-by-minute report
13. Juventus 2-3 Manchester United: Reds book the dream ticket
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Thurs 22nd April 1999:
22/4/1957:
Alex Dawson made a scoring debut against Burnley. A member of United's
FA Youth Cup winning side in 1956, Dawson played in the 1958 FA Cup final,
having scored a hat-trick in the Semi-Final against Fulham, at 18 the youngest
Post-war player to do so.. A robust striker, he made 93 appearances and scored
54 goals between 1957-61. He played for Preston North End in the 1964 FA Cup Final.
22/4/1978: United beat West Ham United 3-0 at Old Trafford in a Division 1 game
watched by 54,089. Scorers were Ashley Grimes, Sammy McIlroy and Stuart
Pearson. Team was: Stepney, Albiston, Houston, McIlroy, McQueen, Buchan,
Coppell, Jordan, Pearson, Grimes, B.Greenhoff.
*********************
Barry Daily Comment: UEFA Champions League Final MANCHESTER UNITED v BAYERN MUNICH
An historical DAY in our RED lives!!!!
Yesterday I said "tonight is the tough one" the lads did us proud
I was right and WE MADE IT! The whole TEAM did us proud
CONGRATS TO REDS ALL OVER THE WORLD!
Hope to see as many of you as possible in Sunny Spain the 26th May!
Last night was marvellous and 100% my motto: "RED sky at night UNITED delight"
Anyone interesTED Boston RED PJ Thum has sent me the video [mpg] of sean and the guys
its here:
I made this video with a digital video camera after the game ended. It's of
the Boston Reds in the Plough and Stars. From left to right, that's me, Jon,
Sean (our fearless leader) and Andy. Can you tell we're very happy?? :)
http://natatorium.simplenet.com/ManUtd/Barcelona%20here%20we%20come!.mpg
1400k mpeg
Calling Canadian Reds
Liverpool-Man U on Sportsnet on Wed may 5th at 7.30 pm for the East Region
(Quebec + Maritimes). For the other regions check local listings. Enjoy.
Suspensions take effect 14 days after the offence. The 'Official'
website confirmed the Villa game as the one he will miss.
This week sees a match so BIG on wednesday that the importance
cannot be measured! Good luck to REDS all over the world.
NEW interviews here: http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99
990420alex_italy.ra 246k 3m 47s Alex Ferguson Press Conference in Turin
990420johnsen_may.ra 218k 3m 21s Ronny Johnsen & David May on our chances!
Subject: REDS KIDS SAFELY THROUGH
Comments: To: RedDevils@onelist.com, hylton@twimedia.com
To: MUFC@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
Email Story
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This story was sent to you from Manchester United Official Web site
located at http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?id=623557&from=latest
by a friend, Paul Hinson, whose email address is
p.l.hinson@ais.salford.ac.uk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Story Follows:
REDS KIDS SAFELY THROUGH
Saturday, April 17, 1999 17:19
United's Academy Under-19 side successfully navigated their first play-off
match, against Millwall at The Cliff on Saturday morning. Luke Chadwick
was the star of the game, making one and scoring two of the Reds' goals in
a convincing 4-1 win. United now face Chelsea in the next round of the
competition. Read Cliff Butler's match report here.
To read the full story visit the Manchester United Official Web site at
http://www.manutd.com or go directly to the story at
http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?id=623557&from=latest
Everyone who wants the goal in Real Time Video 300k now thanks to RED CAFE!
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/texts/report98/domestic/arse-fa2.htm
FA Cup Semi Final Replay
14 April 1999
Manchester United 2:1 Arsenal
Villa Park
Download Ryan Giggs Goal! (Real Video: 300K)
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/real/giggs-goal.ra
Thanks to the Theatre of Dreams
Important European Cup Ticket Info: (thanks to Mike)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
UEFA Champions League final tickets information
The following has appeared on the UEFA website regarding tickets for the
final. Subject to the minor matter of beating Juventus next week, this is of
particular interest to supporters outside England, since applications will
not be accepted from the countries of competing clubs.
UEFA Champions League final tickets information
UEFA Champions League Final
Venue Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
Date Wednesday 26 May 1999
Kick-Off 20.45 CET (19.45 GMT)
Apart from ticket orders from supporters residing in the countries of the two
finalist clubs - Manchester United FC (England) or Juventus FC (Italy) and
Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) or FC Bayern München (Germany) - which, for security
reasons, must be submitted to the clubs concerned, ticket orders for the
general public irrespective of their country of residence can be ordered
through the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Spanish Football Federation).
Ticket Order Methods: Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Post Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Alberto Bosch, 13
E-29014 MADRID
Spain
Telephone ++34-91-369 5045
++34-91-369 4771
++34-91-369 4129
Fax ++34-91-429 8428
E-Mail rfef@tsai.es
Closing Date Thursday 29 April 1999
No supporter may purchase more than four tickets, subject to availability.
Tickets are for personal use only, and must not be resold or used for
commercial purposes. The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Spanish Football
Federation) may reject or reduce any ticket order considered to be
unwarranted.
Tickets
Prices Pesetas
Category 1 14,000 Ptas
Category 2 10,000 Ptas
Category 3 7,000 Ptas
Category 4 4,500 Ptas
Written confirmation - by fax or mail - will be forwarded on receipt of an
order for tickets for this match, and the amount for the total price of the
tickets will be transferred to the Banco Popular Español.
Account Number: 0075-0591-17-0600300602
Banco Popular Español, Agencia 51, Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 25, E-28014 MADRID
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MANCHESTER UNITED STATS v ALL teams on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
Previous News:
BSKYB Takeover news/pics at http://www.red11.org/mufc/bskyb.htm
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Peter Schmeichel's last Season at United!
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
Next games:
ALL Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
If you would like ALL the final fixtures for
UNITED/Arse/Chelsea then go to http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899.htm
Next Games:
25 Leeds (A) 11.30 {am} UK PL Live Sky Sports UK
May
1 Aston Villa (H) 15.00 PL
5 Liverpool (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
9 Middlesbrough (A) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
12 Blackburn (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
16 Tottenham (H) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
22 FAC Final Wembley Newcastle (N) Live on Sky Sports UK
26 European Cup Final Bayern Munich Nou Camp
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 21/04/99 ***
Liverpool 0-1 Leicester City 36,019
Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Newcastle United 21,545
*** CONDENSED LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 21/04/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 32 19 10 3 72 32 40 67
2 Arsenal 33 18 12 3 48 14 34 66
3 Chelsea 33 17 13 3 49 26 23 64
4 Leeds United 33 16 11 6 53 29 24 59
5 Aston Villa 34 14 10 10 45 39 6 52
6 West Ham United 34 14 9 11 39 41 -2 51
7 Middlesbrough 34 12 14 8 46 42 4 50
8 Derby County 33 12 11 10 37 41 -4 47
9 Tottenham Hotspur 33 11 13 9 40 38 2 46
10 Liverpool 33 12 8 13 57 43 14 44
11 Newcastle United 34 11 10 13 45 49 -4 43
12 Leicester City 33 10 13 10 35 41 -6 43
13 Wimbledon 34 10 11 13 38 55 -17 41
14 Sheffield Wednesday 34 11 6 17 39 40 -1 39
15 Everton 34 9 10 15 31 41 -10 37
16 Coventry City 34 10 7 17 35 47 -12 37
17 Blackburn Rovers 33 7 11 15 35 46 -11 32
18 Charlton Athletic 34 7 11 16 36 48 -12 32
19 Southampton 34 8 7 19 31 63 -32 31
20 Nottingham Forest 34 4 9 21 30 66 -36 21
*** FIXTURES ON 24/04/99 ***
Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool
Derby County v Southampton
Everton v Charlton Athletic
Leicester City v Coventry City
Middlesbrough v Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Wimbledon v Newcastle United
*** FIXTURES ON 25/04/99 ***
Leeds United v Manchester United
Sheffield Wednesday v Chelsea
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 21/03/99 ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98 Leicester City Home D 2-2 11 55,052
22/08/98 West Ham United Away D 0-0 11 26,039
09/09/98 Charlton Athletic Home W 4-1 9 55,147
12/09/98 Coventry City Home W 2-0 5 55,193
20/09/98 Arsenal Away L 0-3 10 38,142
24/09/98 Liverpool Home W 2-0 3 55,181
03/10/98 Southampton Away W 3-0 2 15,251
17/10/98 Wimbledon Home W 5-1 2 55,265
24/10/98 Derby County Away D 1-1 2 30,867
31/10/98 Everton Away W 4-1 2 40,079
08/11/98 Newcastle United Home D 0-0 3 55,174
14/11/98 Blackburn Rovers Home W 3-2 2 55,198
21/11/98 Sheffield Wednesday Away L 1-3 2 39,475
29/11/98 Leeds United Home W 3-2 2 55,172
05/12/98 Aston Villa Away D 1-1 2 39,241
12/12/98 Tottenham Hotspur Away D 2-2 1 36,079
16/12/98 Chelsea Home D 1-1 2 55,159
19/12/98 Middlesbrough Home L 2-3 3 55,152
26/12/98 Nottingham Forest Home W 3-0 3 55,216
29/12/98 Chelsea Away D 0-0 3 34,741
10/01/99 West Ham United Home W 4-1 3 55,180
16/01/99 Leicester City Away W 6-2 2 22,091
31/01/99 Charlton Athletic Away W 1-0 1 20,043
03/02/99 Derby County Home W 1-0 1 55,174
06/02/99 Nottingham Forest Away W 8-1 1 30,025
17/02/99 Arsenal Home D 1-1 1 55,171
20/02/99 Coventry City Away W 1-0 1 22,596
27/02/99 Southampton Home W 2-1 1 55,316
13/03/99 Newcastle United Away W 2-1 1 36,500
21/03/99 Everton Home W 3-1 1 55,182
03/04/99 Wimbledon Away D 1-1 1 26,121
17/04/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home W 3-0 1 55,270
*** TEAM RESULTS SUMMARY - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 17/04/99 ***
P Won Drawn Lost For Against Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home 17 12 (71%) 4 (24%) 1 (6%) 41 (2.4) 16 (0.9) 40 (2.4)
Away 15 7 (47%) 6 (40%) 2 (13%) 31 (2.1) 16 (1.1) 27 (1.8)
Total 32 19 (59%) 10 (31%) 3 (9%) 72 (2.3) 32 (1.0) 67 (2.1)
Averages per game in (brackets)
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 17/04/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,188
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 27/02/99 - Southampton (55,316)
LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 15/08/98 - Leicester City (55,052)
BEST WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
BEST HOME WIN: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (5-1)
HEAVIEST HOME DEFEAT: 19/12/98 - Middlesbrough (2-3)
BEST AWAY WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST AWAY DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
*****
Champions League:
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Bayern Munich 6 3 2 1 9 6 11
Man United 6 2 4 0 20 11 10
Barcelona 6 2 2 2 11 9 8
Brondby 6 1 0 5 4 18 3
Dec 9 Brøndby 0-2 Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd 1-1 Bayern Munich
******
CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
Manchester Utd 2 v 0 Inter Milan
Real Madrid 1 v 1 Dynamo Kiev
Juventus 2 v 1 Olympiakos
Bayern Munich 2 v 0 Kaiserslautern
**DYNAMO KIEV 2 v 0 REAL MADRID (Agg:3-1)
FC KAISERSLAUTERN 0 v 4 **BAYERN MUNICH (Agg:0-6)
INTERNAZIONALE FC 1 v 1 **MANCHESTER UNITED (Agg:1-3)
OLYMPIAKOS 1 v 1 **JUVENTUS (Agg:2-3)
Semi Finals
Manchester United v Juventus 4-3agg 1-0 [1-1]
Bayern Munchen v Dynamo Kiev 4-3agg 1-0 [3-3]
UEFA Champions League Final MANCHESTER UNITED v BAYERN MUNICH
Venue Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
Date Wednesday 26 May 1999 Kick-Off 20.45 CET (19.45 GMT)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: FERGUSON BEAMING OVER PERFECT MOMENT
Thursday 22 April 1999
Alex Ferguson watched Manchester United blow away Juventus to clinch a
place in the Champions' Cup final - and then hailed the victory as the best
moment in his career.
Ferguson, who also described the bookings to captain Roy Keane and Paul
Scholes which rule them out of the final as "tragic" for the players
involved, was a proud man as his team came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in
Turin.
"It is a very proud moment for me. This is the level we want to play at,"
said Ferguson.
"My players were absolutely fantastic, absolutely magnificent.
"I thought the first 45 minutes was the best in my career as a manager. It
was absolutely terrific.
"We gave them a start. But I am proud of the way they recovered and kept
their composure, and I think they deserve to be there."
Keane and Scholes will be suspended for the final in Barcelona - the one
cloud for Ferguson.
The United manager added: "It's a tragedy. I don't know whether we can
appeal. But it's absolutely tragic for them to miss the final, and I feel
for them."
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: Sir Matt's 90th
Reds,
The date of Sir Matt's 90th birthday is May 26 1999. He will be with us in
Spain in spirit. I never saw the great Busby sides but I can't imagine the
drama and tensions were any greater than we have all experienced in these
past two weeks. We have played four games against top class opposition and
won 2, drawn 2. We have had a man sent off, a penalty saved, come from
behind, and injuries aplenty. We have also scored 3 goals away in Europe
for the third time this season out of a possible five games. The drama has
been unbeleievable and it will probably get worse for us fainthearted. I am
grateful for the wonder of technology that makes this all possible - to be
able to see it live and then relive it in over a dozen reports within hours
is such a blessing.
I'll be in Barcelona to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of one
of the men who made this club great and I'm working on Wembley. Hopefully
it'll be Alex's night. See you there.
Manchester United - The Legend - http://manunited.net
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: Match Report at Simplenet Fast load ... 12 of the best! :)
From: Barry Leeming
http://www.red11.org/miva/matchreports.mv ENJOY!
Sound is here
Fergie: http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/sounds/matches/juve-a1.ram
Keane, Cole and Schmikes: http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/sounds/matches/juve-a2.ram
Yorke http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/sounds/matches/juve-a3.ram
MUFC is 100% "RED sky at night UNITED delight TONIGHT!!!"
This feeling will go on for a long while.
Enjoy chatting to all your work-mates friends and family in the morning.
The tide has turned 31 years on as we enter a new ERA and
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
yes, don't pinch yourself its true AND we beat them in their own backyard!!
So you say "we need Roy and Paul in the CL Final" ok I agree BUT
these two will now be able to go 200% ALL OUT
in the FA cup final just 4 days before!!
"Always look on the bright side of life"
Ryan Giggs now has a month to recover for the greatest match of his career
to date
here is the run in 8 games:
25/4 Leeds (A) 11.30 {am} UK PL
May
1 Aston Villa (H) 15.00 PL
5 Liverpool (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
9 Middlesbr (A) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
12 Blackburn (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
16 Tottenham (H) 16.00 PL
22 FAC Final Wembley Newcastle United (N) Live on Sky Sports UK
26 European Cup final
MANCHESTER UNITED FC v Bayern Munich Nou Camp
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL REDS! "See you in sunny Spain"
over and out from Barry drowning in Tuborg tonight!
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: Getting better all the time by "Masterfan" Paul Hinson
SEE Paul here! Real Video
http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99/Paul_Hinson_Masterfan_1999.rm
Why have United suddenly become genuine Treble-chasers as
opposed to last season, when Barnsley and Monaco dumped us
out of the cups and the title challenge eroded quicker than Paul
Ince's reputation?
Well, the squad strengthening was a major factor. The purchase
of Blomqvist (who has played with an injury most of the season and
perhaps will not fully show his worth until next season), Stam, the
colossus at the back who is worth twice the 'outrageous' fee we
gave to PSV Eindhoven, and of course Yorke, who must feel like
he is in a dreamworld.
Tactically, Fergie has learnt too. The stalemate at Monaco that was
to lead to our demise taught him how vital the art of scoring away
from home in europe can be. You cannot rely on 90 minutes on your
own patch to swing a tie your way. Away goals are double the pain
for the opposition. The Liverpool of old would have managed a 0-0
away, after a clinical win at home. Not Uniteds style at all. Glory
allied with entertainment is the real way, not boredom and
efficiency.
But I think the main difference is self-belief. To come back from the
dead against Liverpool, beat Arsenal with 10 men, and now, to
respond to a 2-goal defecit in Turin and win, after 43 years of
heartache in visits to Italy apart from last months draw in Milan.
We can now KEEP the ball, instead of suicidal attacking and long
ball giveaways that have been a feature of previous forays against
Juve away from home.
When we fell to Dortmund and Monaco, I don't think our players
BELIEVED they could be the best in Europe. Scoring 1 in Milan,
2 in Munich, 3 in Barcelona and Turin, 6 at Brondby, seeing off
Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Zidane, Davids, that is evidence that the United
of 99 can do it.
Juve will rue that first half at Old Trafford, when they could have
buried us before the interval. They made a winning position into
a draw, and they paid the price last night.
The loss of Keane and Scholes from the Final will be a blow, but
hopefully Giggs will be back in the side, and possibly Ronny
will slot in if Berg is fit again. I noticed that Bayerns keeper
Oliver Kahn captained their side last night. It could be both keepers
leading out their sides at the Nou Camp. What a way for the Dane
to finish his career at United. I bet Eric will be wishing it was
him.
Apparently the Barcodes celebrated our win last night, thinking that
it helps their chances of winning at Wembley four days before
the Champions League Final. That may not work out, Keane and
Scholes, barring injury and suspension, will be busting a gut in
that game now, and others, too, the likes of Sheringham and Solskjaer
could be bursting to play, in the hope that they end up playing in
the biggest game of their lives against the Germans.
When Bayern came to Old Trafford, they showed the kind of composure
we offered last night. However, at the Olympic Stadium, Cole and
Yorke punched big holes through their defence, and the only reason
they managed a draw that night was through defensive calamity
of our own making. We respect them, but don't fear them.
In the meantime, we have a small matter of Leeds United and a few
other fixtures to attend to. History is there waiting to be
written....
Paul Hinson (email p.l.hinson@ais.salford.ac.uk)
http://www.red11.org
The best MANCHESTER UNITED STATS on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
STATISTICS
http://www.red11.org/mufc/pontin.htm
RESERVES AND JUNIORS
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: First half was best of my life, says United's Ferguson [Sportsweb]
TURIN, Italy, April 21 - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson described
his team's first half performance in their European Cup semifinal victory
over Juventus on Wednesday as the best soccer he has seen as a manager.
United came back from 2-0 down after only 11 minutes with goals from Roy
Keane and Dwight Yorke in the 24th and 34th minutes respectively, and won
the match 3-2 and 4-3 on aggregate after a late Andy Cole goal.
"This is a proud moment for me. The players were magnificent," Ferguson
said. "I think the first 45 minutes were the best of my time as a manager.
"We recovered well. We deserved to be there...This is the level we want to
play at."
Ferguson said it was tough for United skipper Keane and midfielder Paul
Scholes that they would miss the final against Bayern Munich after picking
up their second yellow cards of the competition.
Yorke added: "It is a bit of a blow for us. They are two key players."
But Keane took the booking with grace.
"It doesn't really matter because the club has got there," he said. "It was
a bit of a late challenge but United have got there."
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: One of the Most Dramatic Comebacks in European Cup history.
COLE WINNER SEALS GLORY NIGHT FOR UNITED
Juventus 2 Manchester United 3 (Agg: 3-4)
By Ian Cruise
MANCHESTER UNITED turned back the clock 30 years as they
completed a stunning, heart-stopping comeback in Turin last night.
Back in 1968, Bobby Charlton and co came back from 3-1 down in
the semi-final to draw 3-3 with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu and
clinch a 4-3 aggregate victory and a place in the final. Last night's
heroics from Alex Ferguson's class of '99 were equally impressive.
Two goals down after 11 minutes, their European obituaries were
being written for another season, but this side simply refused to be
beaten. They hauled themselves back into the game with two
first-half goals from Roy Keane and Dwight Yorke, and then sealed a
memorable night with a late winner from Andy Cole, after Yorke
burst through before being pulled down by goalkeeper Angelo
Peruzzi. However, Swiss referee Urs Meier waved play on and Cole
raced in to slide the ball into an empty net and wrap up an
astonishing recovery.
This was United's sixth meeting with Juventus in four years, and
only their second win - the first was also 3-2, at Old Trafford last
season. Incredibly, it was the first two-legged European Cup tie the
Italians had lost for 13 years. Ironically, elsewhere on that day,
Manchester United named a certain Mr A.Ferguson as their new
manager.
However, although everything turned out alright for the Old Trafford
side, it looked as though it would be anything other than a glory
night after an incredible opening from Juventus. It's widely accepted
that the golden rule to be followed for the away leg of a European
tie is to keep things tight at the back for the first 20 minutes and to
try to silence the crowd. Unfortunately, if that was United's game
plan, it was blown apart inside a stunning first 11 minutes.
There were just six minutes on the clock when the first meaningful
attack of the evening ended with Juventus forcing a corner.
Zinedine Zidane - the French ace whose wife has been making more
headlines in Turin than him this week - played it short to Angelo Di
Livio, before collecting the return pass and whipping in a cross
towards the far post. Gary Neville got himself into a hopeless tangle
and it was left to Filippo Inzaghi to provide the simplest of finishes
from four yards out.
United responded with a skilful overhead kick from Cole, which sadly
for them flew straight at Angleo Peruzzi, but within five minutes
they were rocked by a second goal from Inzaghi. This time the
Italian international collected Didier Deschamps' ball with his back to
goal, but after turning past Jaap Stam he got the stroke of luck he
was looking for as his shot bounced off the Dutch defender's foot
and over the despairing leap of Peter Schmeichel.
It was a sensational start and looked certain to signal the end of
Ferguson's European dream for another year but, incredibly, it was
merely the start of a simply unforgettable night. United showed that
they would not lie down without a fight when Yorke volleyed over
after 18 minutes, following a neat exchange of passes with his
strike partner Cole.
That was a warning to the Italian giants that they would not have
things all their own way, but if they failed to heed that one, there
was no way they could ignore what followed five minutes later.
David Beckham whipped a left wing corner into the near post where
Roy Keane met the ball with a flashing header into the far corner to
give the visitors real hope and reassure their travelling fans that
they would not have to suffer a night of total humiliation.
However, Keane's joy turned to agony just nine minutes when he
collected the yellow card which will rule him out of next month's
final when he chopped down Zidane after the Frenchman had
robbed him of possession in midfield.
But that setback did not knock United out of their stride and they
were rewarded two minutes later with an equaliser. Cole and Yorke
had failed to set the world alight in recent weeks, and there were
even suggestions that Teddy Sheringham would replace one of them
in the starting line-up, but the pair combined superbly to fashion
the second goal, with Cole crossing for his strike partner and Yorke,
spinning away from his marker Ciro Ferrara, placing his header firnly
wide of Peruzzi.
There was no sign of the pace of the game letting up as half-time
approached and Cole's drive was saved by Peruzzi after a sharp
turn, while at the other end Inzaghi was denied a hat-trick when
Schmeciehl saved with his legs after the Italian had, worryingly for
United, again turned Stam inside the box.
But it was United who finished the half stronger and they were
within inches of claiming the goal which would have left Juve
needing to score twice in the second period when Yorke crashed a
shot against the post with Peruzzi well beaten.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the second half failed to start in the same
dynamic fashion as the first had ended, but it was the home side
who threatened first after 51 minutes. Gianluca Passotto threaded a
delightful through ball into the path of Inzaghi, but the striker's first
time shot was expertly saved by Schmeichel with his legs.
A minute later, Edgar Davids became the second player on the night
booked, and therefore would have been ruled out of the final if his
side had made it there when he crunched into Beckham on the
halfway line. But the England star proved there were no ill effects
from that challenge two minutes later when he crossed invitingly for
Cole, but the United striker's touch let him down terribly and the ball
bobbled through to Peruzzi and a glorious chance had gone.
Inzaghi then had his hat-trick 'goal' disallowed for offside after he
turned home Antonio Conte's cross-cum-shot from almost on the
goalline, before United were again denied what surely would have
been the winning goal when Denis Irwin cut inside Di Livio and drilled
a superb shot across Peruzzi which cannoned back off the inside of
the goalkeeper's far post. The rebound ricocheted back to the
Irishman but he could only steer his follow-up wide of the post.
By now, Paul Scholes had been introduced into the action for the
ineffectual Jesper Blomqvist but the little midfielder's first meaningful
contribution was to pick up a yellow card for a foul on Deschamps.
That booking means that he, like Keane, will miss the final against
Bayern Munich in Barcelona next month.
Yorke again went close to sealing victory ten minutes from time
when he met Beckham's corner with a firm header but saw his effort
cleared off the line by Daniel Fonseca, who had been on the pitch
only a matter of seconds as replacement for Di Livio. The Uruguyuan
had obviously been brought on to have more effect at the other
end and just a minute later his flashing cross evaded every body
and was cleared by Iriwn at the far post.
But, although they had to survive some anxious moments, United
held firm to set up Cole's grandstand finish and complete one of the
most dramatic comebacks in European Cup history.
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: Juventus 2 - 3 Manchester United United vault the final hurdle [Guardian]
Michael Walker at Stadio delle Alpi sees Ferguson's heroes fight back from
two goals down in Italy
Thursday April 22, 1999
On a night of unrelenting, escalating and scarcely credible football drama
at a packed, intense, evocative stadium at the foothills of the Alps,
Manchester United conquered the highest summit yet in Alex Ferguson's
triumphant 13 years at Old Trafford.
Last night United planted a glorious red flag on one of Europe's most
prestigious peaks and it is their vivid colours that will fly high over the
Nou Camp in Barcelona next month. They are in the European Cup final for
the first time since 1968.
Sadly they will be without their on-field leader Roy Keane - and Paul
Scholes - a second yellow card for both meaning a cruel automatic
suspension. It is a fact all the more regrettable as it was Keane who
instigated the United fight-back after Filippo Inzaghi has seemingly felled
Ferguson's men with two goals in the first 10 minutes.
Concussed, United were in danger of being embarrassed as well as floored
but Keane's remarkable spirit produced a wonderful headed goal from him
midway through the first half. It was followed by a similarly precise
header from Dwight Yorke 10 minutes later and, with five minutes to go,
Andy Cole delivered the scintillating winner. United had done what they
needed to: made their goals count.
In seeking to address Ryan Giggs's absence which was expected, Ferguson
elected to retain United's natural shape by fielding his understudy Jesper
Blomqvist. It had been thought that in wanting steel Ferguson might play
Nicky Butt wide on the left but that option was declined, although Butt
still started, Paul Scholes's attacking creativity being sacrificed.
There was some heartening information from the Juventus line-up for United,
however. Paolo Montero, their seemingly indestructible Uruguayan
centre-half, was just a substitute, though Juve, in replacing him with Ciro
Ferrara, were making a statement about their quality in depth. A further
reminder of that arrived soon after.
Zinedine Zidane and Edgar Davids had already offered fresh evidence of
their incisive passing before the two crushing early blows and David
Beckham was forced to concede the corner that led to Inzaghi's opener
because of it.
With United regrouping in the area, Zidane exchanged a quick pass with
Angelo di Livio before arrowing a fierce centre across Peter Schmeichel's
six-yard box. The velocity of the cross took it past everybody, but not
Inzaghi, who rushed past Gary Neville to stab the ball in at the far post.
The United players must have been dumbstruck and yet things were quickly to
worsen. Five minutes later, prompted by another slick pass from Davids,
Juve went upfield and scored again.
Again it was Inzaghi delivering the final strike although, as he twisted to
shoot, closely marked by Jaap Stam, the last touch was off Stam's boot. It
sent the ball in a dispiriting arc over Schmeichel and in. It was
breathtaking stuff and United were the ones having their breath taken. But,
moti vated by their captain Keane, they staged a staggering resuscitation.
In the 24th minute Keane himself rose like Tommy Smith had 22 years
previously for Liverpool in Rome to spear in a header from Beckham's
inswinging corner.
That was invigorating but 10 minutes later it was to get even better when
Yorke hung in the air to steer in an Andy Cole centre with fantastic
assurance. Two-two and suddenly United were through if the score remained
that way.
But not many were taking that bet as Stam, with a header off his own line,
and Angelo Peruzzi, with a fingertip save that diverted Yorke's diagonal
shot on to the woodwork, prevented further first-half goals.
In the midst of the recovery the only bad news for United was a booking for
Keane that ruled him out of any possible trip to Barcelona.
Eight minutes after half- time Davids found his name in the same book and
himself in the same boat as Keane. Sixty seconds earlier Inzaghi looked
about to book Juve's passage to Spain but found his ticket - and his
hat-trick - rejected by a giant sprawl of a save from Schmeichel.
Typically, in a ding-dong contest, Cole almost immediately had a golden
chance to score at the other end, but his control of Beckham's pinpoint
cross was poor and the opportunity lost. But Cole was to redeem himself at
the last. Brilliantly, inspirationally, United's dream lives on.
Juventus (4-4-1-1): Peruzzi; Birindelli (Amoruso, h-t), Ferrara, Iuliano
(Montero, h-t), Pessotto; Conte, Deschamps, Davids, di Livio (Fonseca,
80min); Zidane; Inzaghi.
Manchester United: (4-4-2): Schmeichel; G Neville, Stam, Johnsen, Irwin;
Beckham, Butt, Keane, Blomqvist (Scholes, 68); Yorke, Cole.
Referee: U Meyer (Switzerland).
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: manutd.com report (official site) Report
NOU CAMP FINAL FOR COMEBACK KINGS UNITED
To win a competitive match in Italy was considered Manchester United's
Mission Impossible, and the task seemed even harder when Ryan Giggs –
scorer of two crucial semi-final goals this month – failed to recover from
his ankle injury.
The Welsh wizard did not even make the bench, although Alex Ferguson did
have three potential match-winners in reserve, namely Solskjaer, Scholes
and Sheringham.
Peter Schmeichel was called into early action in the 3rd minute, racing to
the edge of the box to smother a promising Juve attack which pitted Ronny
Johnsen against Filippo Inzaghi. Then, moments later, Johnsen's partner
Stam had to contend with the same Italian striker, and to United's relief,
the big Dutchman won the duel.
In the 6th minute, David Beckham had to track back with opposing left-back
Gianluca Pessotto, and sliding in, the England man conceded the first
corner of the match.
French playmaker Zinedine Zidane took the setpiece short to Di Livio,
received a return pass and then swept a curling cross to the far post where
Inzaghi eluded Gary Neville and stabbed the ball home first time from only
a few yards out. The home fans in the Stadio Delle Alpi roared with
delight, as the Juve players celebrated the early goal they had so badly
wanted. 1-0 to the Italians, 2-1 on aggregate.
In the following minute, Neville tried to make amends for United, hoisting
the ball across the Juve box to Andy Cole, who performed the perfect
bicycle kick on the penalty spot, only to find the arms of Angelo Peruzzi.
United's challenge became all the more daunting in the eleventh minute when
Inzaghi stunned them with his second goal of the game, and his sixth in
this season's competition. The finish was fortunate, as Pippo's shot struck
Stam for a wicked, looping deflection over Schmeichel, but the way he
collected Di Livio's probing pass and turned his man oozed continental
class. 2-0 to Juventus and United were in grave danger of being outclassed.
The Reds needed a rapid response but they took another six or seven minutes
to muster another decent chance. Cole and Yorke linked up well in the area,
but the Tobagon could only blaze his shot high and wide. Still, the
movement sent a message of hope to the United bench where manager Ferguson
and his assistant Steve McClaren watched anxiously.
The staff and subs thought for a moment they were back in the game when
Yorke breached the home defence and carried the ball into the box. He fell
under a challenge from Ciro Ferrara, in for the injured Paolo Montero, and
in the ensuing melee, as some players appealed for a foul, both Cole and
Beckham had their shots blocked. Sadly the incident did not end in a
penalty for United, but in a Juventus free-kick, awarded for offside.
If the pendulum was swaying slightly towards the visitors, it took one
heavy swing in their direction in the 25th minute, when Beckham fired in a
lethal corner from United's left and captain Roy Keane rose to glance a
header past Peruzzi into the far side of the net. 2-1 now to Juve, 3-2 on
aggregate, but with the away goals crucially evened out.
Frustrated by their lack of possession and United's persistence, Juve's
fans began to whistle, especially when Yorke was teed up by Cole for
another shot at goal. He dragged the effort wide, but the home fans were
perturbed by the amount of space he had found.
Juve's reply was again effective, forcing Jaap Stam to make a vital save.
Di Livio's cross tempted Schmeichel to rush from his goal, but the Great
Dane lost out to Inzaghi in the air and he could only watch in hope as the
ball looped towards the net. Fortunately for the Reds, Stam was in
position, almost under his own cross bar, to head it away.
In the 32nd minute, captain Keane ruled himself out of the Champions League
Final with a crude foul on Zidane close to the halfway line. It was a
bitter blow for the Irishman, having scored such an important goal minutes
earlier.
This incredible match took another twist in the 34th minute when Cole
crossed from the right and Yorke, pulling away from Ferrara, headed United
into the driving seat at 2-2, 3-3 on aggregate. Fergie jumped in joy from
the bench. What a difference less than half an hour can make!
Inzaghi's efforts had almost been forgotten by now but he posted a reminder
in the 37th minute, turning Stam once again to shoot with menace. This
time, Schmeichel made a good save.
At the other end, Yorke – suddenly back on form – drove another shot past
Peruzzi but agonisingly for the United man, the ball cannoned back off the
post and the rebound eluded Blomqvist.
After such a breathtaking first half, it was no surprise that the second
half started a little slower.
Juve coach Carlo Ancelotti had seen his team snatch and then throw away a
place in their fourth successive Champions League Final and he needed to
make changes. He replaced Mark Iuliano with Paolo Montero at the heart of
his defence, took off right-back Alessandro Birindelli and brought on a
strike partner for Inzaghi in Nicola Amoruso. Zidane dropped in behind the
front two.
United kept the same team and nearly made the same mistakes as they did in
the early part of the first half, when they again allowed Inzaghi to steal
some space in the area. With 51 minutes on the clock, Schmeichel made
another important save to deny the Italian dangerman.
Edgar Davids – who was so impressive in the first leg – followed Keane's
example in the 54th minute and with a bookable foul, crossed his name off
the squad list for the final.
In the 56th minute, Davids' victim, David Beckham whipped in a low cross
which bounced in front of Cole on the penalty spot but the striker prodded
the excellent chance wide of the target. A goal at that point, with Juve
starting to dominate, would have been so, so crucial.
Five minutes later, Juve thought they were back in front, but Inzaghi was
clearly offside when he slotted the ball into an empty net, with Schmeichel
beaten. The score remained even, on the night and on aggregate, although
United remained in front on away goals.
With the World Footballer of the Year in their ranks, Juve were in no mood
to lie down, and Zidane it was who threaded a neat pass through to Amoruso
in a threatening position. Just as the substitute prepared himself to
shoot, Stam closed him down and swept away the problem. A very timely
challenge.
Alex Ferguson maybe sensed the need for another goal, as he sent on Paul
Scholes in the 67th minute for Blomqvist, who'd worked hard to fill the
shoes of Ryan Giggs on the left wing.
In fact, the goal nearly came from a more unusual source in the 72nd
minute. On a rare foray forward, Denis Irwin was able to cut inside on the
edge of the Juve area and shoot sweetly with his right foot. For the second
time on the night, the ball struck the woodwork, and when the rebound
reached the Irishman, he tucked a second effort into the side netting.
In the opposite area, Stam had to make another superb tackle, this time on
Zidane, to keep the home team at bay. After the early minutes when Inzaghi
outmanouevred him, United's Dutch colossus had regained his composure and
was by now in command.
Scholes should have followed Stam's example but instead he made a rash
tackle in the 76th minute, and was penalised with a yellow card – and
another suspension from the final. The bookings rule was threatening to
spoil what looked like a great night's work for United.
Juve threw on a third forward with eleven minutes left but Daniel Fonseca's
first touch came in the wrong area as far as he was concerned, steering a
Yorke header wide of Juve's goal as Beckham tested the home defence with
three corners in a row.
Zidane went for the jugular again in the 81st minute when he weaved his way
to the byline on Juve's left but his low cross eluded Inzaghi who was a
whisker away from a hat-trick.
United pieced together an excellent move in reply, but Cole, set up by
Yorke, could only shoot straight at Inzaghi.
However, the former Newcastle United striker only had to wait for another
minute for another chance which he buried with aplomb. Yorke again was the
creator and he might have won a penalty as he burst through to be pulled
down by Peruzzi.
Just as the referee contemplated his whistle and the red card, Cole saved
him the bother, slotting the loose ball in from a tight angle. Yes – 3-2!!!
United were in front, heading for their first win on Italian soil and a
first appearance in the Champions League Final under Alex Ferguson.
It was nearly signed, sealed and delivered in the 87th minute when Beckham
tried his luck with a volley but it flew wide.
It mattered not because within a few more minutes, the final whistle was
blown, and United were celebrating with thousands of loyal fans who'd
travelled to Turin to witness this great event.
Bayern Munich are next for the Reds, in a mouthwatering Champions League
Final at the Nou Camp in Barcelona on 26 May. We can't wait.... can you?
Manchester United - The Legend - http://manunited.net
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: Armchair Personal report from DA in USA
So we are finally through!
Does anyone realise that the last time we appeared in a European Cup
final, City won the 1st Division Championship, has it really been that long?
Tonight was very special, regardless of whatever happens the rest of the
season, we Reds can tuck this match away in our memories, I classify them
in my own mind as 'one of those special nights' Being a United fan for over
40 years there have quite a few of these such nights, but tonight is right
up there with them all Forgetting the fact that I had to endure the idiotic
rantings of Tommy 'onion bag' Smyth I can't remember enjoying an 'armchair'
match like this before
I had no problems getting away from work for this one, I am home on sick
leave, so I had plenty of time to prepare, new United cap on, the new black
shirt (we are unbeaten when I have worn it) the chair fully reclined, the
only thing that would have made it perfect would have been a can of
Boddies, but since I am rehabing the Doc said that was out!
I won't go into the actual match here, but will comment on individual
performances, and what performances they were!
Every match when I try to figure out my MOM, the name of Stam comes to
mind, this man is simply unbelievable, he is the best defender in the
World, bar none, and whatsmore he fits right into the way we play, but
tonight he was surrounded by similar magnificent play. I doubt I have seen
Dennis Irwin have a better match, what a great pity that his run into the
Juve penalty area wasn't rewarded with more than just a rebound off the
post, some will blame Gary Nev for one of the Juve goals, but I lean more
to the side that says it was an incredible goal, lets face it we knew these
Italians could play!
Ronnie Johnsen was superb partnering the 'rock' our two central defenders
are simply 'World Class' In midfield, there was our leader, hard as nails
and leading by example, did anyone notice the look of sheer determination
on Roy's face as he flicks our first goal home, he bloody KNEW we were
going to win this one, the only tears of the night are that he won't be
afforded the honour of leading us out in Barcelona, Nicky Butt now has a
heavy task on his young shoulders in future weeks, but we know he is 'up
for it'
David Beckham did what we expected, he buzzed around the whole match, was
creative and outshone the 'bald one' That brings me to Blomqvist, and
contrary to some opinions, I feel he filled Ryan's shoes very well, his
check backs into defense were excellent, and at times his tackling looked
superb Now for the forwards..
Yorke was a constant thorn in Juve side, Davids had said that our two
'soul brothers' were easy to defend, well he got a lesson this evening!
And that brings me to Andy Cole, how fitting that he should crown this
glorious match with his late goal, his cross for Yorke's goal was spot on,
and he ran and chased allnight, just like he has since he first joined United
And no, I didn't forget the big daft sod, he was as magnificent as ever,
and it will be fitting to see this great man lead our team into battle
against Munich, what a perfect way to conclude a fantastic career!
Kathy (my Wife) wants to know how a grown man can spend an afternoon at
home alone watching Footie, and end up with a hoarse throat.....but she knows!
God Bless everyone, the Red Flag Flew high this evening!
DA
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: Devils cloud Agnelli's heavenly vision clouded
By Jim White in Turin Thursday April 22, 1999
Alex Ferguson is fond of saying that his club never take the easy route,
that his players love to push his heart to its outer limits, ensuring that
the entire annual output of Wrigley's Spearmint is gummed in the process.
But this night in Turin makes their run past Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal
to the FA Cup final look like the smoothest of four-lane motorways.
There is no underestimating United's achievement. To dispense with Juventus
on their home turf was epic enough, to do it when apparently staggering
punch drunk to the ropes was beyond anything even the wildly optimistic
Ferguson could have envisaged.
Gianni Agnelli, Juventus's septuagenarian owner, reckons that his side's
performance at Old Trafford in the first leg was `the most beautiful' he
had ever seen in his time with the club. Which is saying something, as he
has been a fan since the days when Mussolini tried on a black shirt at his
local tailors and liked the cut of it so much he ordered 10,000 to go.
`There was only one thing wrong with that game,' said the man who, since
his remarks about Zinedine Zidane's wife, is unlikely to be high on
Germaine Greer's Christmas card list. `It went on a minute too long.'
To beat his side, everyone was agreed, and reach their first European
Champions Cup Final since the days when Manchester City were League
champions (yes, that long ago), Ferguson's team would have to play better
than ever.
At least the visitors could not carp about the conditions. The weather had
been distinctly Mancunian all day, torrents running off the Alps. And the
Juve pitch, covered in what looked like giant strips of clingfilm until
half an hour before kick-off, was a patchwork of shades of green every bit
as dreadful as Old Trafford's.
The sense of expectation, of the certainty of forthcoming victory among the
home fans, was astonishing to behold. At the mention of each Juve player's
name over the public address system, fountains sprayed and danced behind
each goal, giant flags swung in the stands, firecrackers boomed. In
response, the banner passing over the pocket of United fans read ing,
bizarrely, `Carrickfergus Reds'' looked isolated, provincial. A bit like
Carrickfergus, in short.
By the seventh minute, you could tell why the home camp was so confident:
it appeared this was not to be a night on which expectations, form or
history were to be overturned. By then Filippo Inzaghi had already driven
United's defence to such distraction they had conceded two goals, provoking
a noise which suggested the Juve fans wanted to demolish this much-disliked
stadium on the spot. If Old Trafford had been beautiful, up in his stately
box, Senor Agnelli must have been scouring his Thesaurus.
But what a spirit Ferguson has built. United would not stop running; the
warrior spirit Edgar Davids so derided has much to commend it. And before
half an hour had elapsed, a breath of life was restored to the corpse of
United's ambition by the indomitable Roy Keane, the restoration continued
by Dwight Yorke's clinical header.
You wondered how these two teams could top one of the finest 45 minutes
seen in the senior European competition, but they resumed as if fresh from
their beds. As the end drew near, the Juve fans began brawling amongst
themselves. Presumably someone had dared to suggest that when it comes to
things of beauty, it would be hard to top this United performance.
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: BBC Match Report: United's glorious comeback
Wednesday, April 21, 1999 Published at 20:41 GMT 21:41 UK
Juventus 2-3 Man Utd (aggregate 3-4)
Manchester United are through to their first European Cup final in 31
years after a night of great drama in Turin.
They came back from 2-0 down after just 11 minutes in the
second-leg of their semi-final in Turin.
Despite the poor start, the English side were ahead on away goals
within 34 minutes, after goals from Roy Keane and Dwight Yorke
pulled them back into the tie.
And after withstanding the Italian side's pressure, Andy Cole added
the finishing touch to make sure with seven minutes to go.
United's only regret on the night were bookings to Keane and Paul
Scholes, which will rule both out of the final against Bayern Munich
next month.
The match in Turin began with news that the injured Ryan Giggs
was not fit enough to even take a place on the bench, and it got
worse for United as soon as the action began.
Filippo Inzaghi scored both goals, the first after just six minutes,
when the Italian side won a corner.
It was taken short by Zinedine Zidane to Angelo Di Livio, who
clipped the ball ball back to the Frenchman.
He fizzed a cross to the far-post where Inzaghi finished after
shaking off Gary Neville's desperate challenge.
Inzaghi's second was a shot from the Juventus left, which
deflected off Jaap Stam and looped over Peter Schmeichel.
United come forward
United knew before the game that they would have to score at least
once to get through to a first European Cup final in 31 years.
Now the task was to score twice, and the English team were not
slow to come forward in search of those goals.
The 24th minute a corner brought them their first, as poor marking
allowed Keane to score a header past Angelo Peruzzi.
Juventus were rattled, although Zidane continued to be influential, a
fact recognised by Keane, who brought him down during one run
and was inevitably punished with a yellow card.
Then it was Yorke's turn to hit the target to level the scores as he
met Cole's right wing cross with his head and beat Peruzzi with
ease. Again the Juve marking was poor.
Yorke almost made it two minutes later when he hit the post after
more good work with his strike partner.
A thrilling game was now more open than anyone could have
imagined, and Stam had to clear a high bouncing ball off the line
after Schmeichel came for a cross and missed his punch.
Juve changes at half-time
Half-time saw Juventus making the first changes as striker Nicola
Amoruso replaced defender Alessandro Birindelli to provide Inzaghi
with a strike partner.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti also brought on semi-fit defender Paolo
Monterofor Mark Iuliano.
Juve soon started to threaten and United's central defensive pairing
of Stam and Ronny Johnsen were forced to stay alert whenever
the Italian side came forward.
Cole wasted a glorious chance to give United an aggregate lead
when Beckham played him in from the right, but the unmarked
striker could only stab the ball wide, when he should have scored.
Inzaghi did have the ball in the net again on 61 minutes, but a
linesman's flag correctly denied him his hat-trick.
The pressure from the Italian side was slowly building but Johnsen,
Schmeichel and Stam in particular were equal to just about
everything they could create.
Irwin hits post
United were able to break occasionally and might have scored on
70 minutes, when Dennis Irwin hit the post.
Substitute Scholes, who had replaced Jesper Blomqvist, soon
received his yellow card for a two-footed challenge.
Uruguayan striker Daniel Fonseca was the next new arrival, and
his first touch was to clear a Cole header off the line at a corner.
There were just 10 minutes left and Juve clearly planned to play
three up front with Fonseca replacing Di Livio.
The Uruguayan made a second immediate impression by cutting a
ball across the goal, which no one could meet with the goal gaping.
But United were not just hanging on, and were enjoying plenty of
posession to deny the men in black and white.
And they made sure of their night in Barcelona in May when Yorke
ran clear as Juve pushed forward.
Yorke was brought down by Peruzzi but the referee played the
advantage and Cole was able to run through and tap the ball into an
empty net.
The Italian side knew they were beaten and their fans streamed out
of the ground as the party started for the travelling supporters.
Juventus: Peruzzi, Ferrara, Di Livio, Conte, Inzaghi, Iuliano,
Deschamps, Birindelli, Pessotto, Zidane, Davids. Subs: Rampulla,
Montero, Fonseca, Amoruso, Tudor.
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin, Johnsen, Stam, Beckham,
Butt, Blomqvist, Keane, Yorke, Cole. Subs: Van Der Gouw, May,
Sheringham, P. Neville, Scholes.
Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland)
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: Minute-by-minute report
Juventus 2 - 3 Man United
Inzaghi 6, 10 | Keane 24, Yorke 34, Cole 85
Juventus
Peruzzi, Ferrara, Di Livio, Conte, Inzaghi, Iuliano, Deschamps, Birindelli,
Pessotto, Zidane, Davids. Subs: Rampulla, Montero, Fonseca, Amoruso, Tudor,
Tacchinardi, Esnaider.
Manchester United
Peter Schmeichel; Gary Neville, Dennis Irwin, Ronny Johnsen, Jaap Stam;
David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Roy Keane; Jesper Blomqvist, Andy Cole, Dwight
Yorke.
1st minute Juventus attack down their left but Stam clears long.
2 Davids controls play in the centre of midfield. Throw to United deep in
their own half.
3 Cole caught offside.
4 Inzaghi and Zidane attempt a one-two but the ball rolls through to
Schmeichel.
5 Stam beats Inzaghi to a long ball over the United defence, clearing for a
throw.
6 Beckham slides to deny Pessotto a chance on the Juve left. Corner to the
Italians.
7 Juventus 1-0 Man Utd Zidane sweeps a low cross low to the back post,
Inzaghi finishes before Schmeichel can make up the ground.
8 An overhead kick from Andy Cole raises spirits but it goes staight to
Peruzzi.
10 Davids breaks down the right but Neville tidies up.
11 Juventus 2-0 Man Utd Inzaghi slides ahead of Stam and a wicked
deflection sees the ball clear Schmeichel into the back of the United net.
13 Scrappy play with neither side establishing any real possession.
15 Keane brings down Davids in central midfield.
16 Brilliant dummy from Yorke lets the ball run to Cole. His return pass
again finds Yorke but he blazes over from ten yards.
17 Beckham swings in a long free-kick from the United right flank but Juve
clear easily.
19 Good possession from United but the move lacks penetration and Zidane
wins the ball back for the Italians.
21 Scramble in the Juve box ends with an apparent foul on Cole. United
penalty appeals turned away.
22 Ferrara slices through Yorke for the second time in a minute - another
free-kick to United.
24 Juventus 2-1 Man Utd Beckham corner. Keane climbs highest and leaves the
Juve keeper for dead with a perfectly weighted glancing header.
25 Strong defending by Stam who sees the ball back to safety.
27 More scrappy play in the middle of the pitch. United enjorying the
better possession.
29 Cole and Yorke again string passes together in the Juve half but Yorke
drags a shot well wide from the edge of the box.
30 Stam clears off the line after Schmeichel is beaten to a deep cross.
32 Schmeichel claims the resulting corner.
33 United control the pace of the game in midfield. Stam brings the ball
into the Italian half but Yorke loses the ball.
34 Yellow card Keane for a late tackle on Zidane.
35 Juventus 2-2 Man Utd Beckham crosses and Yorke's diving header beats
Peruzzi to his left.
37 Snap shot from Cole on the edge of the Juve box, straight to Peruzzi.
38 Inzaghi turns in the United area but Schmeichel smothers the shot and
the ball goes out for a goal-kick. United have recovered well and now have
Juventus on the back foot after early horrors.
39 Yorke hits the post with Peruzzi beaten to his right.
42 Zidane caught offside when clean through on Schmeichel's goal. Replay
suggests a bad decision.
43 More frantic play in midfield. Di Livio crosses from the Juve left but
Inzaghi is caught offside.
44 Juve keep the ball in midfield before needlessly giving the ball away
and Schmeichel collects.
Injury time Cole is denied by Juliano at the near post after a low cross
from Blomqvist.
Half-time
Juventus 2-2 Man Utd
46 Juventus get the second half under way. Beckam wins the ball down the
United right.
47 United give the ball away on their left but Conte over-hits a cross and
it falls to Schmeichel.
48 Steady build up by the Italians but Johnsen wins the ball back for
United. United have a throw deep in Juve territory. Butt slices a volley
well wide of Peruzzi's right post.
49 United win another throw in the last third. Neville launches it deep
into the box but and Italian head clears.
50 Amoruso finds space in the United box but Stam gets the ball away at a
stretch. Inzaghi caught offside from a Zidane through-ball.
51 Inzaghi one-on-one with Schmiechel but the Dane saves with his legs.
52 Yellow card Beckham scythed down by Davids.
53 Inzaghi attempts to slip a ball through the United defence but again
Schmeichel gets there first. Stam clears another cross from Zidane.
54 Beckham swings in a trademark cross to an unmarked Cole but he fails to
control the ball and it goes out for a Juve goal-kick.
55 Juve enjoy the better possession with United conceding a series of fouls
in midfield.
56 Zidane caught narrowly offside on the Italian's left flank. Yorke wins
another long ball in the air but the attack comes to nothing.
57 United build menacingly but Beckham plays a weak ball into Peruzzi's
penalty area.
58 Another Zidane cross, this time from the left, but it is again Stam who
clears.
59 Keane breaks into the Italian box resulting in a United corner. Yorke's
header is claimed easily by Peruzzi.
61 Disallowed goal Inzaghi ruled offside after a scramble in the United
six-yard box.
62 United tackle valiantly to deny Juve time in midfield.
63 Beckham flights an aimless freekick into the Juve box. Yorke breaks down
the United right but he too wastes the final ball.
64 Juventus build patiently but the ball is eventually hung up in the
United box and Stam claims comfortably.
65 Stam heroically clears for United after brilliant interplay from the
Zidane and Inzaghi.
68 United substitution: Paul Scholes for Blomqvist
69 Johnsen just gets back to deny Inzaghi at the final moment.
70 United again work hard to pressurise the Juve player in possession.
Johnsen wins a timely header after a cross from the Italian right.
71 Irwin hits Peruzzi's left post after controlled build-up play from
United. The Irishmen finds the side-netting from the rebound.
73 Zidane and Stam go shoulder-to-shoulder on the edge of the United box.
The Dutchman wins the ball for United.
74 Keane wins a freekick on the half-way line.
75 Di Livio's cross from the right it caught waist-high by Schmeichel.
Ferrara pushes Cole in the face.
76 Another scramble in the United box but Johnsen stoops to head clear.
77 Yellow card Scholes for a foul on Deschamps.
78 Juve resort to throwing long balls into the United penalty area. Conte
wastes another.
79 Corner to United - Beckham swings it deep. The ball is charged down and
its another corner.
80 Juventus substitution: Fonseca for Di Livio. Fonseca straight into the
action, clearing off the line from a Yorke header. Beckham crosses from the
right but Peruzzi cliams easily.
81 Schmeichel punches away a Juve corner. United break but Montero gets
back for the Italians.
82 Zidane feeds Fonseca but his inviting ball into Schmeichel's six-yard
box cannot find a striped shirt.
84 United build steadily. Yorke finds Cole but his right-foot shot is tame
and Peruzzi saves to his left.
85 Juvenus 2-3 Man Utd Yorke bundles through the last line of Juve's
defence before being brought down by Peruzzi. The ball rolls on for Cole to
ram home into an empty net.
86 Desperate attacking from Juve - they need to two goals to reach the final.
88 Irwin bursts down the United left flank. His deep cross finds an
unmarked Beckham but he volleys just wide of Peruzzi's right post.
89 Stam again stands in the way of the Italians. This time he blocks a shot
from Amoruso.
90 Juventus know their dream is over. The pace of the game drops
considerably.
Injury time Inzaghi receives the ball to his feet on the edge of
Schmeichel's penalty area but Neville robs him.
Full-time
Juventus 2-3 Man Utd
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Subject: Juventus 2-3 Manchester United: Reds book the dream ticket
By Graham Hunter
Thursday, April 22, 1999
When the Juventus crowd, to a man, rose and applauded Manchester United off
the pitch at the end of this momentous victory, it was almost as
significant as the fact that United's 31-year wait for another European Cup
final is over.
This was the moment when Juve, the club which has dominated European
football for the last five years, graciously handed their mantle over to
the team which might just do the same for the next few seasons.
By turning a gaping two-goal deficit into a 3-2 victory in this lion's den
of a stadium, Alex Ferguson's team equalled every achievment of Matt
Busby's 1968 side - bar the one which now lies in wait in Barcelona next
month.
No wonder these proud Italians clapped until their hands were sore; this
was one of England's, never mind Manchester United's best-ever performances
in Europe.
It came to a climax when Andy Cole finished crisply after Dwight Yorke had
barged through the Juve defence and been brought down by Angelo Peruzzi.
Referee Urs Meier allowed the advantage and that was all United needed to
reach out for the confrontation against Bayern Munich. That they are there
at all is nothing short of miraculous.
The first 10 minutes had been disastrous. The early jitters in the Juventus
defence which had offered faint hope disappeared like snow in Spring
sunshine.
United first lost concentration, then they lost a goal and finally seemed
to have lost their way totally.
Once again, Ferguson's men were completely bamboozled by the tactics which
Juventus mockingly call 'Formula Manchester'. The ploy of using Pippo
Inzaghi alone up front and the mercurial Frenchman Zinedine Zidane looks
simple in construction and not quite a Mensa test to block.
But Zidane roamed freely, Inzaghi caused panic and before the match had
properly taken its shape, Juventus were 2-0 ahead on the night and 3-1
ahead on aggregate.
The first blow came in the sixth minute when the United defence were caught
napping. Zidane's corner was allowed to be returned to him because Angelo
di Livio was left unmarked and when the World Player of the Year drove the
ball piercingly across goal, there was Inzaghi at the far post to steal in
to score.
If there were questions to be asked about the defensive organisation, then
Peter Schmeichel's decision not to challenge the cross required equal
interrogation.
Of course, the stadium was in bedlam at that point, but so were Ferguson's
players. Carlo Ancelotti's side suddenly thought that they were invincible.
Within four minutes there seemed little doubt of that. Edgar Davids punched
a pass into the penalty box and found Inzaghi 12 yards from goal.
With a twist, he was suddenly facing the right way and the shot he
unleashed took a looping deflection off the unfortunate Jaap Stam so that
poor Schmeichel was left utterly marooned. The ball nestled in the net and,
for a second, it looked as if no United player was going to retrieve it.
Then, perhaps, the prospect of betraying Ferguson's confidence in their
recuperative powers sunk in.
Confidence flooded through their veins and the jitters were invisibly
passed from United to Juventus.
The fightback started with Denis Irwin's fine run and cross which Yorke and
Cole dummied between each other only for Yorke's eventual volley to fly
just over.
Then, as Yorke raced away from the Juventus defence, Mark Iuliano hauled
him back for what was a clear free-kick about four yards outside the box.
Very little advantage accrued to United from the loose ball, indeed an
offside flag quickly went up, and it seemed a cruel moment.
But this brave side did not falter. Within four minutes, Cole had won a
corner, David Beckham had floated the kick in beautifully and Keane had
glanced a superb header beyond Peruzzi. To anyone who has seen United in
Europe this season, it was instantly apparent that Juve were in danger.
Perhaps the Italians did not realise quite how much peril they were in
because Irwin, Yorke and Cole cut open the penalty box in the 28th minute
as Juve visibly wilted.
United weathered one stormcloud in their box, when a mistake between Stam
and Schmeichel from Zidane's cross nearly allowed Inzaghi his hat-trick,
but the Dutch defender headed away from under the bar.
Then a mistake from Nicky Butt put Keane in sufficient trouble that he
fouled Zidane and was booked for his trouble. A hush fell on the English
contingent in the stadium when it sank in that their captain was out of the
final... should they make it.
Instead of crumbling, United went straight back up the pitch and scored.
Gary Neville's long ball was challenged by Beckham and when Alessandro
Birindelli's loose header fell to Cole, he instinctively crossed to the far
post. There lurked Yorke, who scored what offered to be the most important
action of his entire footballing career.
Yorke, enjoying himself deliriously, danced around Iuliano and crashed a
shot off the post, something which Irwin repeated in the middle of the
second half.
Either chance would have sealed the triumph but, instead, the two teams
strung things out to a dramatic and emotional climax on this astonishing
night.
If the attacking play with which United hauled themselves back into the
tie, and to the verge of the final, had been startling, what followed was
much, much more significant.
Stam played the match of his life, Beckham had the most mature, intelligent
performance of his already golden career and when he was called on,
Schmeichel made save after vital save.
The best was when Inzaghi, who barely deserved to be on the losing side,
broke through on to Gianluca Pessotto's clever pass. The Dane slid, used
his feet and turned the game in that instant.
Stam was an utter rock, winning every 40-60 tackle, inspiring the men
around him and finding that this was his and United's night.
Inzaghi had a goal ruled out, quite correctly, for offside; Paul Scholes
tinged the night with some disappointment by joining Keane on the banned
list for Barcelona and then came Cole's final seal.
A classic performance on a classic night.
Juventus (4-4-1-1): Peruzzi; Birindelli (Amoruso, 46 min), Iuliano
(Montero, 46), Ferrara, Pessotto; Conte, Deschamps, Davids, Di Livio
(Fonseca, 79); Zidane; Inzaghi.
Manchester United (4-4-2): Peter Schmeichel; Gary Neville, Jaap Stam, Ronny
Johnsen, Denis Irwin; David Beckham, Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Jesper
Blomqvist (Scholes, 67); Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke.
Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland)
Booked: Davids, Keane, Scholes
Click on The Italian Job for full match coverage
Pic Link today is http://www.red11.org/miva/matchreports.mv
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