Madrid masterclass

Manchester United 4 Real Madrid 3 (Agg: 5-6)

The disbelieving fans were left shaking their heads in amazement as United came from behind to win the game. But despite their spectacular and spirited effort they could not regain equality over the two legs.

The genius of Ronaldo enriched a memorable occasion and his hat trick of goals was decisive. His incredible finishing ability gave Real’s football a focus and a meaning and United failed utterly to contain him. The reception both sets of fans gave him when he departed after his extravagant contribution was memorable in itself.

Every credit to United who gave everything in a vain attempt to match the Madrid magicians. They were always struggling to catch up from the 12th minute when Ronaldo confirmed Real’s superiority from the first leg with an opening goal that put them 4-1 ahead on aggregate and negatived United’s away goal. But with a superb contribution by substitute David Beckham in the closing 20 minutes, United succeeded in overhauling Real on the night and their win in the second leg did much to restore pride and offer some compensation.

Happily for United John O’Shea came through his late fitness test to take his place at left back but a surprise was the absence of Beckham.

Real created a surprise of their own by including former Liverpool player Steve McManaman. Manager Del Bosque left midfielder Flavio Conceicao on the bench in one of two changes from the first leg game. He brought Guti in to replace Raul with McManaman lining up in midfield.

United’s selection of Veron was a particular surprise given that he had not played for United for seven weeks and had only returned from receiving treatment in Rome at the weekend. He made little impression in the opening half when Real played some spectacular football in the middle of the pitch.

The goal that United conceded after 12 minutes underlined Real’s sparkling football in the opening half hour. This was a testament to their superb technical skill and also to the success of manager Del Bosque’s astute approach.

He used the artistic Guti in the play-making role just in front of his two centre backs with McManaman and Makelele operating just in front of him and Zidane in the free role behind Ronaldo.

Clever movement and accurate passing gave the confident Madrid a stranglehold on the early exchanges. They dictated the pace and denied United’s possession and the manner in which they cut the United’s defence open for their opening goal suggested United would struggle to contain them.

Real broke on the edge of their own penalty area through McManaman and Guti took possession from Zidane to open a wide path to goal for Ronaldo breaking from the right wing. The Brazilian centre forward held off Ferdinand and drove a shot inside the near post, though Barthez must accept some responsibility.

United were clearly guilty of affording Real too much respect, a fault that limited their ability to match Madrid in the first game as well. Gradually however they built up an element of momentum and backed by the capacity attendance they succeeded in generating a degree of passion that meant they gave Madrid problems especially in the 20 minutes before half time.

Van Nistelrooy was always a danger to Real and his powerful running and close control ensured that he always commanded respect.

The equalising goal that had been flagged by United’s growing influence finally arrived after 43 minutes. A miss placed attempted clearance by Hierro saw the commanding Real centre back head the ball backwards and Veron and Solskjaer combined to drive a low cross beyond Casillas to give Van Nistelrooy a simple goal.

Clearly United’s hopes rested in their ability to play at a higher tempo. While Real controlled possession and played at their sedate tempo they looked a team of all stars.

Real showed just how effective they could be once again with a magnificent goal after 57 minutes. Zidane, a much more authoritative figure in the early minutes of the second half, timed his pass to Roberto Carlos to perfection and the full back drove the ball low across the penalty area beyond Barthez for Ronaldo to apply his trade mark finish. It was significant that the United possession had initially been lost by Brown on the edge of the Madrid box.

Once again the goal was a huge motivation for United and they brought the spectators to their feet with the vigour and determination of their comeback. They were level again within a minute.

The goal stemmed from an error by centre back Helguera. He looked to have the situation under control when Veron drove a ball in from the left of the penalty area but with Helguera and goalkeeper Casillas caught in a moment’s confusion, Helguera only succeeded in deflecting the ball into his own net.

There was no doubting the superior class and method of Real’s skilful team however.

They survived United’s concerted pressure and broke away to snatch a third goal after 59 minutes.

The goal highlighted the deadly finishing power of Real’s Brazilian hotshot Ronaldo. Makelele won a tackle in midfield to link with Figo and he rode the ball in front of Ronaldo 25 yards from goal. The Brazilian took a touch to set himself and then exploded a glorious shot beyond Barthez.

The introduction of David Beckham for Veron again enlivened United and after the peerless Ronaldo had taken a bow and departed it was Beckham who dragged United once again into the match with a classic goal from a free kick. There were 71 minutes gone when he struck the free from 25 yards around the wall to beat Casillas and raise the unlikely hopes of a United comeback.

To their credit United refused to accept what seemed inevitable and Beckham embarked upon a one man campaign that seemed driven with an intensity that smacked of a man railing against the refusal of his manager to include him from the start.

It was significant that it was Beckham who recovered a degree of pride for United with a goal five minutes before the end. A quick fire United move between Solskjaer, Giggs and Van Nistelrooy ended with Hierro deflecting the centre forward’s cross beyond his goalkeeper and it was Beckham who followed up to force it over the goal line. Victory on the night, however thrilling, will be little compensation to United.

MANCHESTER UNITED: (4-5-1) Barthyez, Brown, Ferdinand, Sylverstre (P Neville 79 mins), O’Shea, Solskjaer, Keane (Fortune 82 mins), Butt, Veron (Beckham 63 mins), Giggs, Van Nistelrooy.

REAL MADRID: (4-5-1), Casillas, Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Figo (Pavon 87 mins), Makelele, Guti, Zidane, McManaman (Portillo 69 mins), Ronaldo (Solari 66 mins).

Referee: P Collina (Italy).