Ferguson thrilled by ageless, ‘amazing’ Giggs
Ryan Giggs’s breakthrough goal in Manchester United’s 2-0 Champions League semi-final defeat of Schalke 04 added another record to a collection that was already fit to bursting.
The 67th-minute strike, a neat finish between goal-keeper Manuel Neuer’s legs from a Wayne Rooney through-ball, broke the hosts’ resistance and made the Welshman the oldest goalscorer in the competition’s history. The 37-year-old, architect of all three goals in the 3-1 aggregate defeat of Chelsea in the quarter-finals, was once again one of United’s stand-out performers and coach Sir Alex Ferguson praised his astonishing longevity.
“It’s a strange thing because his peak seems to have lasted so long now,” said the Scot. “You’d think at 37 he’d show signs of waning but I see no evidence of that. He doesn’t show any signs of receding at all. He’s an amazing man.”
Giggs’s opener was followed just two minutes later by a goal from Rooney, as United belatedly found a route beyond the inspired goal-keeping of Germany international Manuel Neuer. The victory brings a third Champions League final in four seasons into view ahead of next week’s return leg.
Rangnick remains resolute
Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick refused to give up the ghost despite seeing his side outclassed by United. Rangnick vowed that his men would not throw in the towel in the second leg.
“Why give up? Of course we won’t do that,” he said. “The situation at the moment is that United have a better chance, but anything can happen in football and you never know.”
Neuer produced a string of jaw-dropping stops in the first half before finally being beaten by Giggs.
Ferguson said it was the best performance by an opposition goal-keeper since he took the United reins in 1986, and Rangnick conceded that he had been indebted to his goal-keeper.
Anything is possible: Raul
Schalke striker Raul insists that his side can overturn the deficit.
“In the return leg, anything is possible. A penalty for us, a sending off for them, nothing is impossible in football.”
Next Wednesday’s return leg could prove to be his final game in a competition that he has graced like few others.
“Finishing at Old Trafford wouldn’t be too bad,” said the striker.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2011.
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