Benfica 0 - 1 Manchester United
Tuesday 26th September 2006
Estadio de Luz, Lisbon
Sir Alex Ferguson took a cautious approach into the game, slotting five into midfield, even if those five did include the attacking threesome of Ronaldo, Rooney and Paul Scholes! Carrick and O'Shea were asked to simply drop adn become almost extra defenders for the night. It was this formation change that perhaps led to the confusion and lack of positional sense and play throughout the first half, with a lesss than composed United side losing the ball and failing to pressure for it back time and again.
Vidic and Heinze both kept their places in defence, after successful 'season-debuts' on Saturday in the draw with Reading.
At least neither Richardson or Fletcher made the first team, although the latter did enter the game on 85minutes when Rooney was taken off.
United's cautious approach was not greeted by many cheers from the fans, and neither was Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite being a Portuguese hero he was booed on every touch (like at Reading!) this time it was simply because he had played for Sporting, Benfica's main rivals, oh, and the fact that he made 'hand gestures' at the corwd last year!
The Reds didn't look like they were ever going to hit full throttle, and the closest they came was when a Ronaldo shot ricoched of goalkeeper Quim and into Saha's path. The frenchman failed to control it, and the ball was gone.
The second half at least started a little brighter, with Man Utd enjoying more possession, having been defending for the majority of the last 10 minutes of the first.
It was a lucky break that saw United pull a goal ahead - Saha's lightning fast break saw him and Ronaldo run out of the United area at pace. Saha passed to Ronaldo, and the Portuguese superstar waited until just the right moment to set Saha free. Saha cut inside as he neared the edge of the box and fired a stunning shot home from 16 yards into the top left hand corner of the goals.
With confidence and momentum returned, United could have had another, when a Gabriel Heinze free-kick was blasted at the keeper who fumbled it to Fletcher's feet. Fletcher could only hit the 'keeper, as could Michale Carrick, who missed the next rebound.
