|
|
Edwin van der Sar: First Goal Crucial To Manchester United Beating AC Milan
Dutchman happy to have booked spot in quarterfinals...
11-Mar-2010 4:18:00 AM
By Gill Clark
Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar admitted that Wayne Rooney’s opening goal was the key to dumping AC Milan out of the Champions League.
The England international opened the scoring in the 13th minute at Old Trafford as the Red Devils cruised to a 4-0 win.
Rooney subsequently added a second after the break whilst Ji-sung Park and Darren Fletcher completed the rout, with the English champions completing a 7-2 aggregate victory.
Speaking to Italian television's RAI after the game, the United stopper pointed to Rooney’s opener as the crucial point in the match.
“The first goal was the turning point, as after that Milan had to score three at Old Trafford and that is very difficult,” explained the Dutchman.
“We are organised in defence and also strong up front. Milan had some chances in the first half, so we are happy to be in the next round.
“We discussed Milan, but the manager said it was more important the way we played. We needed to keep the tempo high for the first 15 minutes especially and that is how we broke through, making it very difficult for them.”
The veteran shot-stopper also claimed that Manchester United were not missing Cristiano Ronaldo, largely due to the superb form of Rooney.
“We play differently now. Milan also lost Kaka, another exceptional player, but Rooney has done better than last season and scored four against Milan,” he added.
“He even got three headers in the two ties despite not being very tall, so timing is crucial. Rooney has specific characteristics.
“I've played with Zinedine Zidane, Pippo Inzaghi and Ronaldo, but he has an immense hunger for football and wants to do everything in every game.”
The England international opened the scoring in the 13th minute at Old Trafford as the Red Devils cruised to a 4-0 win.
Rooney subsequently added a second after the break whilst Ji-sung Park and Darren Fletcher completed the rout, with the English champions completing a 7-2 aggregate victory.
Speaking to Italian television's RAI after the game, the United stopper pointed to Rooney’s opener as the crucial point in the match.
“The first goal was the turning point, as after that Milan had to score three at Old Trafford and that is very difficult,” explained the Dutchman.
“We are organised in defence and also strong up front. Milan had some chances in the first half, so we are happy to be in the next round.
“We discussed Milan, but the manager said it was more important the way we played. We needed to keep the tempo high for the first 15 minutes especially and that is how we broke through, making it very difficult for them.”
The veteran shot-stopper also claimed that Manchester United were not missing Cristiano Ronaldo, largely due to the superb form of Rooney.
“We play differently now. Milan also lost Kaka, another exceptional player, but Rooney has done better than last season and scored four against Milan,” he added.
“He even got three headers in the two ties despite not being very tall, so timing is crucial. Rooney has specific characteristics.
“I've played with Zinedine Zidane, Pippo Inzaghi and Ronaldo, but he has an immense hunger for football and wants to do everything in every game.”
Inside Goal.Com
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour
-
Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain
With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation
-
Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson
Ashley Young has also all but secured his place in the starting line up against France while Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Here's how the Belgium friendly affected the England player's chances of featuring in Euro 2012
-
Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday