Barcelona 0 - 0 Manchester United Semi-Final Highlights

Manchester United saw Cristiano Ronaldo miss a penalty after just two minutes but still held Barcelona to a 0-0 draw in a surprisingly cagey Champions League semi-final, first leg at Camp Nou. * Related Stories * Barcelona v Man Utd stats&ratings * Opta Investigate: Barca without Puyol * Jordi Cruyff still a Barca fan * Messi not focused on RonaldoGabriel Milito handled in the box after just 90 seconds and United were awarded a penalty at the very end where, nine years ago, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham ensured the most dramatic of conclusions to the most glorious season in the club's history.So much expectation has been placed on Ronaldo's shoulders and so much praise placed at his feet as the foremost talent of this new United generation, but the occasion proved too much for the normally so self-assured forward as he punted the ball wide and held his head in his hands.United's display for the remainder of the 87 minutes was largely unspectacular, if determined and disciplined, and Barcelona enjoyed the vast majority of the chances. At 0-0 though, the tie remains firmly in the balance ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford.Sir Alex Ferguson's side were gifted what looked like the perfect start after only 90 seconds when Milito conceded a penalty for using his arm to block a Ronaldo header from a corner. The Argentinian knew little about it but his hands were high enough to leave referee Massimo Busacca with an easy decision.Ronaldo looked confident when stepping up to the ball, but his strike was misdirected and flew wide of the left-hand post to hit the stanchion and give Barcelona a huge let-off.While you feel an early goal could have shattered Barca's fragile confidence, they revelled in their second chance and settled into a familiar stride with Messi, Andres Iniesta and Deco all drifting elusively and spreading the ball around with consummate ease.The three combined after 11 minutes after Messi drove out to the left with a lovely run and slipped the ball through to Iniesta, but the Spain international's cutback was just behind Deco and United were relieved to clear.Iniesta proved far less assured in possession just before the half hour mark though, as his awful and unnecessary square ball found Ronaldo on the edge of the box. The United star darted into the area but went down after a messy body check from Marquez.His appeals for a penalty were as strenuous as they were predictable, but to no avail as Busacca waved play on after seemingly spotting intent to go to ground on Ronaldo's part and after seemingly deciding that awarding two penalties in one half against Barca was unpalatable.Mexico international Marquez proved to be Ronaldo's tormentor in chief throughout the first half and a trip on the 38-goal forward just before half time earned the Barca bruiser a yellow card that rules him out of the Old Trafford leg.Barcelona emerged from the break with intent, and especially in the figure of Eto'o who pounced on some hesitant defending from Brown, kept on his feet despite a reckless slide from Ferdinand in the box and waited just too long to try and find Messi with a cut-back.Just minutes later the Cameroon star should have rounded off a gorgeous move when collecting Iniesta's backheel, but he snatched at his shot and could only rifle the ball into the side netting when a more composed finish would have brought one of the goals of the tournament.The tempo of the tie had visibly heightened and it was quickly United's turn to find the side netting as Carrick slinked his way into the box and pulled the trigger from a tight angle.An hour was enough for Messi on his first start since February and the Argentina international was withdraw for the prodigious Bojan Krkic -- just 17 and the second youngest goalscorer in Champions League history.With United looking increasingly sloppy in possession, Ferguson shook things up when introducing Nani for Rooney, but Barca were also ready for change and Thierry Henry came on for the tiring Deco.The former Arsenal man scored a goal every other game against United during his time in England, and the France star almost embarrassed Van der Sar when the keeper unconvincingly parried a vicious shot from the left.The Dutch international was also forced to keep out an Henry free-kick before the game was brought to an end in a suitably low-key manner.

Channel: Sports
Uploaded: April 23, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Author: AdolfHit1er

Length: 03:56
Rating: 5.00
Views: 127920

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