The Theater of Dreams
lived once again the ultimate drama and thrill of Champions League competitions
with its Boys making a one of a kind run against their group foes CSKA Moscow.
As a sold out Old Trafford,
saw their Red Devils impose their authority and all around dominance in the
whole course of the match, even though the clean sheet for Sergio Romero went
up in the 45 minute.
Sheer luck keep the visiting
Moscow blokes on the fight and dreaming despite their keeper Igor Akinfeev keep
at bay the United strikers in a first half given to the locals due to their persistence
all 45 minutes.
As the first score of
the visiting Russians came in the 45 going to intermission in what look a possible
dismay for the United squad coming back to fight on against a determined attack
of Red Army team returning for the second half with all its momentum.
After that horrifying
loss to Swiss side Basel that made it a bit difficult for the Manchester side,
these had a lot to prove in order to get to the next rounds, were the party
starts and elimination would been fatal.
Still you do not see
in this squad an inch of quitters in all of its players.
Despite the early lead,
the Russian sides endure on Manu with the combination of Vitinho and Alan
Dzagoev for the early lead, whatever Mourinho pep talk in the dressing rooms
gave to his side, became an uplifting one that once again United came poise for
everything.
The Russian defense
was very adamant at work and trying to protect the one goal lead and maybe putting
another one in the nets defended by the Argentinian who rise to the occasion and
despite allowing in what many saw as a controversial goal from CSKA.
At the end the decision
of the official stood.
Forget the first half
clear opportunities to goal Manu had with Rashord on a clear goal being denied
by the post, Luke Shaw and Lukaku almost pushing it in, as well as supposed
foul inside the area over Valencia and the ref did not made the call.
The second half was
to be a better one for the locals aided by their supporters.
We had the see the
magic and influence of Paul Pogba exercising in the field and when he is all
inspired and with a wonderful pass to Romelu Lukaku he making all sorts of acrobatics
and holding with the CSKA defender, he scores the equalizer in the 64.
More was to come and
not even two minutes passed by when finally destiny smile to Marcus Rashford
aided by Mata scores in what became the go-ahead goal in the 66 for the win.
Very well three
points of gold and now wait for a foe to award in the sweet sixteen and start
their battle upwards towards the grand finale, as manager Jose Mourinho
prepares his troops for the ultimate of challenges.
Alongside the win
that will be a motivator towards their league, compromise against Manchester
City in the so-called Manchester Derby considered vital and crucial for Mourinho
and company if these want to make a leap towards the top.
With a win they will
close in the Citizens as well stop their winning streak cold, still we are to
see the result of this match, but with the confidence and positive outcome in today’s
result and passing as first place in their group accompanied by Swiss side
Basel.
Anything can happen for
Manchester United!
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