Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs was a relieved man after his team was through to the last-16 of the Champions League with a win over Braga.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side crashed out of the group stage last season, the third time in the last 16 years, but beat Braga 3-1 to become the third club to reach the knockouts.
Needing just a point to assure their qualification, United fell behind to a penalty from Alan just after half-time but strikes from Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez ensured the Red Devils maintained their perfect record in this year’s competition.
“I think we were all disappointed [we didn’t progress from the group stage last year],” Giggs told the BBC. “It was not good enough and we knew we had to do something about it and we have. Long may it continue.”
Giggs declared the arrival of Van Persie as the spark which lit the fuse on United’s dramatic comeback victory.
“The tempo wasn’t really there in the first half. They made it difficult, and they were probably the better team with better chances.”
However, the Dutchman needed only one half-chance to haul United level with a crisply-taken finish, and Giggs conceded that United’s new recruit is brimming with confidence after a scintillating run of form.
“It wasn’t until we went one-nil down – probably when Robin came on – that we started to play a little bit better.”
Chelsea avoid humiliating exit
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said that they were lucky to beat group leaders Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Champions League holders were outplayed for long spells but Victor Moses headed home with seconds left to seal a 3-2 victory, keeping their hopes alive and avoiding the humiliation of becoming the first champions to go out at the group stage.
“I think in terms of the timing of the goal you could agree there was an element of luck,” said Di Matteo. “But when you get a win against such a good team as this you deserve it.”
“They are a very good side. Now it’s probably going to go down to the last kick of the last game in this group.”
Juventus, who demolished Nordsjaelland 4-0, will provide equally tough opposition for Di Matteo’s side later in the month and the Italian side’s assistant coach Angelo Alessio admitted it would be crucial as to which of them progressed.
“We must beat Chelsea at home in the next game if we are to earn our place in the next round,” said Alessio. (With additional information from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2012.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ