United Fans, Boo Out Your Pressure!

C. Ronald may have missed the opportunity to sew up the tie, but Fergie's tactical shift worked really brilliantly.

To be honest, it is quite surprising to see Man United's setup in this match. It is strange, to say the very least, with Rooney playing in the right and Teves almost in the midfield area. However, Fergie's strategy of containment, so to speak, frustrated a Barcelona with all the possession for the whole match. Given the unconvincing records of United's away ties, we can take heart from a goaless draw with an equally impressive team.

Nevertheless, what strikes me most is the "twelfth man" of the match--the home fans. Camp Nou is well-known for its intimadating atmosphere. But United seems to have the previlege to get a more "special treatment". Just listen to it, the chorus of boos, hisses, jeers and whistles appears to be never ending when United got the ball. I thought I had been well-prepared to brace such a situation, but I was wrong. The noise was much higher and consistent than what I had expected--even than what they did to their archrivals Real Madrid. At one moment, the voices of the commentators were even drowned. At the other moment, the English announcement from the stadium was received with such an ocean of derision that I began to wonder how Barcelona would be treated in the Theatre of Dream in the return leg.

English football is often known for its infamous hooligans. But having watched the Premier League for more than a decade, I often ask myself why the English fans got the bad name they don't deserve? They are the most civil fans that I have ever seen. In fact, sometimes too civil to the point of being timid--they are good at cheering up their home team, but often fail to exert enought pressure on their opponents with their noise.

Old Trafford is arguably a case in point. The crowds there are too polite. In the wake of what we have witnessed in Camp Nou, what do you think you should do when you watch the second leg in the Dream Theatre?

In Ewood Park, I Semlt Arsenal

If I had any optimism for United to win the title after last match, it all but evaporated after this one.

Yes, we still have 3 points in hand--but that can change as we have to go to Stamford Bridge; yes, we have a massive goal difference advantage--but do you really want to count on that to win the trophy? No, at least for me.

In the last five minutes, Teves scored a precious goal, which may save United another league championship. However, some familiar scences kept rolling in front of my eyes, making me rather confused. I found a question was constantly banging my head: which team am I watching, United or Arsenal? That's not the United that I konw: collision in the backline, loose pass in the midfield, cursing bad refereeing, desperate to get an equaliser and especially, indecisiveness. Where is that United, who, although not getting the lion's share possession, play efficient, flowing, and decisive games?

I don't want to blame the players, because they all tried their utmost--look at Rooney, although his perfomance is below par. But I can't refrain from having a word or two on Fergie. Where is Pique? Where is Anderson? Where is Hargreaves? With Vidic just recovering from an injury, can't you just trust Pique once and give him a chance? The other two, you have to reserve them for the visit to Camp Nou? No, please, do you yourself believe it? Why not look at what happened when Anderson was on in the last weekend? And Rooney. He has already got a nasty knock, why not replace him earlier?

Yes, no one doubts the exceptional blocks from Friedl. He is phenomenal! If only for once, he could slip! Yes, the referee missed at least one undisputed penalty. So what? Are you going to emulate the whining Wenger, complaining everything but himself? Come on! Grow Up! The important thing is We Lost Two Points!

Perhaps the title really has to be fought out on Chelsea's turf. Until next week, reflect on what should have been...