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What is the story?
After a narrow defeat at the Theater of Dreams against FC Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie, Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that they could turn things around in the second leg at the Nou Camp, where United will be welcomed by the Catalonian giants next week.
In case you didn't know...
Manchester United faced FC Barcelona in the quarterfinals of Champions League 2018-19. The match started as the Catalan side showed early dominance over the Red Devils. The deadlock was broken in the 12th minute of the match following an own goal by United's left-back, Luke Shaw.
In the second half, United came out strongly. Barcelona somehow managed to win the match with a slight 0-1 scoreline. The United defenders did a brilliant job by keeping Lionel Messi quiet throughout the 90 minutes.
The heart of the matter...
In the post-match interview with BT Sport (via manutd.com)Solskjaer said,
"There are pluses and negatives. I thought we started sloppy and we were a bit nervous on the ball. We didn't really get the pressure on them. After their goal, we settled a bit and we played well. We had some very good performances from some individuals as well, in midfield there – I thought they did really well."
”At times it felt like a proper Man United team. The crowd was behind us, we got wide, we put in crosses. Sometimes those crosses end up with a header on goal and sometimes you miss them.“
Ole also claimed that they were the second best from the start of the match.
"We didn't start great, but it was a great goal with great movement by Messi and Suarez, I have to say. They're a little bit fortunate that it comes off Luke and changes direction, so of course that's a blow. But then we settled well. You could see straightaway when they scored, the team gathered together and said let's stay in this game. Not like PSG and go another goal behind. We're still in this tie."
The Norweigan then praised Scott McTominay, who played brilliant football at the heart of United's midfield.
“It was a fantastic game for Scott. Every time he plays for us he is improving. He's a great athlete, he can run all day long. He wins challenges, he's quick on his feet. He was composed, brought the ball down a few times. He started settling us to be fair."
At last, Solskjaer talked about the tactics he used to keep Messi quiet throughout the ninety minutes at Old Trafford.
"He's a fantastic player and you see the cross for the goal, his awareness and his technique. We did as well as we could against him and we kept our shape well at times. It could have gone both ways.
It wasn't the night for chances, I don't think we hit a shot on target once and that's one of the disappointments because Rashy had a decent chance, Diogo had a chance there. When Anthony came through towards the end normally he takes a touch but he toe pokes it.“
When he was asked whether it would be another comeback at Camp Nou, the boss replied,
“We'll go there with work to be done, but with a chance. Of course we're playing against a great team here. It's a tough one. But we've done it before. We'll go there with the knowledge we can score over there.
Of course, the PSG performance away gives us hope and belief that we can do it but we know we’re playing against probably the favourites in the tournament and we’re going to the Nou Camp.
”It’s a challenge and it would be a greater achievement, winning that one with the history of Barcelona as well. They are not used to losing at home but we can do it, no doubt. We can carry a goal threat. Ant, Rom, Rashy... whoever is playing up there, we just have to provide a bit more ammunition and create chances for them."
“We need to hit the target. We created a couple of very good opportunities. Rashy had a volley after a cross was punched out and Dalot had a great chance at the back post. You have to take your chances. We must be very effective and efficient over there.
We know we’re not going to create loads of chances so we have to take the ones we get. We have to soak up the pressure, we expect them to want to kill the tie and put the sword into us, but you have to soak it up and break and, at times, keep the ball better than we did tonight.”
What is next?
Manchester United who are in 6th position with 61 points from 32 matches in the Premier League, will host West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.
