For all the attacking prowess the four remaining teams in the Champions League posses the first legs produced just one goal between them. In the tie between Barcelona and Chelsea this was due to a combination of poor finishing, good goalkeeping and Chelsea’s excellent defensive tactics. In the Manchester United and Arsenal fixture United ran riot over the Gunners and should have won by a far greater margin but one man stood in their way – Manuel Almunia.
I’ve criticised the Spanish stopper before, but on Wednesday night at Old Trafford he produced one of the finest goalkeeping displays I’ve ever seen. The Arsenal keeper was called into action straight away, as he tipped Wayne Rooney’s looping header away at full stretch.
It was a sign of things to come as United lay siege on the Gunners goal. Ronaldo saw a driving shot well saved before Almunia produced an outstanding shot to deny Carlos Tevez when it looked an almost betting certainty the Argentine would score.
He was beaten by John O’Shea in the 18th minute but in fairness to Almunia there was little he could have done about the Irishman’s strike. His defence failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to O’Shea with the goal gaping.
United continued to press but were unable to find a way past Almunia as he pulled off save after save to deny the United attack. His performance was reminiscent of Iker Casillas’ display against Bayern Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final, except Almunia suffered the onslaught for the entire game rather than the final 20 minutes.
The Arsenal defence were frankly below-par for such a big occasion and holding midfielders Alex Song and Abou Diaby were simply outclassed by the United attack. If Arsenal do defy the betting odds and make it to the final in Rome they will have Almunia to thank for keeping them in the tie.
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