Manchester United is considered to be one of the main newsmakers of the current Champions League draw. In 1/8 final wards Ole Gunnar Solskher sensationally beat one of the main favorites of the tournament - “Paris Saint-Germain”, and the return match of this confrontation went down in history. Only in the fourth minute of compensated time, the “red devils” pulled out a ticket to the next round, and the outcome of the meeting was decided by a penalty, appointed after using the VAR system.
In the next round, MJ was waiting for an even more serious opponent in the face of Barcelona. In favor of the Spaniards spoke not only the presence in the legendary Lionel Messi, but also a solid advantage in personal meetings. The teams overlapped eight times in the Champions League, but only once the success was accompanied by the British. It happened in the semifinals of the 2008 tournament. It is worth noting that subsequently the wards of Sir Alex Ferguson won the main trophy, beating Chelsea in Moscow.
In turn, the Catalans twice won their rivals in the main match of the tournament. It happened first in 2009, and then in 2011. The meetings ended with a total score of 5-1 in favor of Barcelona, and Messi was the author of two goals. At the moment, Lionel is the main specialists in English clubs: he has 22 goals scored against the teams from Misty Albion - more than anyone else.
In addition, the first meeting was held at Old Trafford, which was also in favor of Barcelona. According to statistics, blue-garnet in 79% of cases passed to the next round, if the first match was played away. It was much more difficult for them to start the two-legged series at the Camp Nou (33% wins).
From the first minutes, a team from Spain took over the initiative and showed that it is not going to repeat the fate of PSG. “Barcelona” by large forces moved to another half of the field and began to systematically stretch the defense of the opponent. This had an effect on the 11th minute. Sergio Busquets performed a delicate transfer into the penalty area to Messi, who moved the ball to the far post. Luis Suárez, who was left without guardianship, powerfully punched his head, and the ball from the hip of Luke Shaw flew into the goal.
Thus, the Uruguayan celebrated his 50th match in a career in the Champions League. Only four Argentines had more games in the main club tournament of the Old World. 57 meetings on the account of Paolo Montero and Maxi Pereira, two more from Diego Godin and Edinson Cavani.
It is noteworthy that over the past two seasons, Barcelona’s opponents hit their own goal six times. More often the goalkeeper of the opposing team upset only Messi, who counted 14 goals. The third place is occupied by Usman Dembele - four exact blows. As for Manchester United, he became the leader in the number of own goals in the Champions League matches. At the moment there are eight of them.
Missed goal a little awaken the hosts. The Red Devils began to use high pressure and more than once forced the central defenders of the guests to err. Uncompromising struggle and constant pressure led not only to dangerous moments at the gates of the Catalans, but also to the cut on the nose of Messi. The Argentinian was hit in the face by Chris Smalling, but after providing assistance he was able to continue the meeting.
Sir Alexei acted selflessly, and by the end of the half and became bolder. True, it almost cost them a second goal conceded. Victor Lindelef scored the ball in his own penalty area, and Philip Coutinho powerfully struck the bottom after the discount Suarez. Gates saved David de Gea, parried kick.
The beginning of the second half of the meeting was marked by harmonious choral singing performed by English fans. During the first half, they silently watched what was happening on the field, after the break they began to drive their players forward. This has the effect, albeit short-lived. Manchester United organized a dangerous attack, and it was completed by the most active footballer Marcus Rushford. The forward struck up the mistake of Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the exit, but inaccurately broke through.
“Barcelona” reacted to the surge in the activity of the enemy and dried the game. The hosts desperately continued to put pressure, but at crucial moments they sinned with inaccurate passes. The guests acted with an eye on defense, confidently controlled the course of the meeting, but also managed to tickle the nerves of their rivals. So, in the 64th minute, Suarez could have scored his first away ball in four years. Nelson Semedo gave the cutting transfer into the penalty area, but the Uruguayan did not hit the target.
Every minute, Manchester United controlled the ball less and less and almost did not create dangerous episodes at the gates of Barcelona. The last quarter of an hour of the meeting was remembered except for the abundance of hard violations - Vidal and Lingard, as well as Chris Smalling, got a yellow card.
The match ended with a minimal victory for Barcelona, which for the first time in its history beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Catalans almost doubled their rival in the percentage of possession of the ball (62:38) and the number of passes (780: 401). The ratio of the number of exact passes was 709 by 320.
In more than 90 minutes, Sir Alexis didn’t ever hit the opponent’s goal, which was the last time 14 years ago. In March 2005, “Manchester United” was unable to disturb the goalkeeper of “Milan” Didu and gave away away with a minimum score.