Messi display worthy of Ballon d´Or

November 30, 2009

Lionel Messi is poised to collect the Ballon D’Or accolade on Tuesday and the Argentine showed why with a mesmerising display to help Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 1-0 in a sizzling ‘El Clasico’ at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the winning goal on 56 minutes but with the world watching on Messi stole the show with his his mazy runs, clever turns and incredible close control all the more impressive given that he was a doubt for the match with a thigh injury.

Messi, still only 22, scored in the previous two Clasicos – which finished 2-0 and 6-2 in Barca’s favour – but could not cap his stellar display with a goal with Iker Casillas denying him with a wonder save in the closing stages.

“I came off against Athletic Bilbao as a precaution but came back tonight and fortunately we got the right result,” said the softly-spoken Messi.

“We couldn’t find space in the first half but in the second half we got better and the result we wanted.

“The win over Inter Milan (2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday) was important for us to stay in the competition and now we have beaten Real Madrid who are a top side.”

Champions Barca now lead Real by two points at the summit and can stretch that to five points with victory over Xerez on Wednesday in a match brought forward due to Barca’s World Club Championship commitments in Abu Dhabi in mid-December.

Treble winners Barca are unbeaten in the league since the penultimate day of last season and lie top of the table but goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who produced a crucial save from Cristiano Ronaldo, said there was no room for complacency.

“Real played on the counter attack at times but with real quality,” said Valdes.

“The Spanish league is the best in the world and complicated to win. It is not just Real Madrid there are other such as Sevilla.”

Midfielder Xavi, one of four Barca players shortlisted for the Ballon D’Or, paid tribute to Real and saluted his team-mates for a determined defensive display.

“It was a physical game but a great spectacle,” said Xavi. “Real have a great team as well and a lot of talent up front.

“Madrid are always a competitive team. In all my years in football they have always had a team that can compete at the highest level.

“It was a great defensive display from the whole team to keep them out and get a very important win.”

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: abu dhabi, accolade, Argentine, athletic bilbao, Barcelona, Bilbao, camp nou, Casillas, clasicos, close control, complacency, five points, inter milan, lionel messi, MADRID, mazy, Milan, real madrid, ronaldo, SEVILLA, spanish league, team mates, thigh injury, treble winners, victor valdes, world club championship, xerez, zlatan ibrahimovic

Kaka calls for real calm

September 30, 2009

Recent Champions League winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka have sought to temper the growing anticipation that this is going to be Real Madrid’s year in Europe as their side prepare to host Marseille.

Madrid have failed to get beyond the first knockout stage of the Champions League in any of the last five seasons, but few believe it will be a similar story this time around following a record-breaking summer spending spree and a flying start to the new campaign.

Buoyed by the arrival of superstars such as Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso, Madrid have won all six of their competitive games so far, scoring 21 goals and conceding just four in the process.

That has increased expectations that Madrid can seriously challenge last season’s treble winners Barcelona this term, and it is the Champions League that is attracting most interest.

Madrid have long been hunting for a record 10th European Cup crown, and with this year’s final being held at their Bernabeu home, that quest has taken on extra significance.

However, speaking ahead of the new-look Madrid’s first European home match of the season, Kaka has attempted to inject some realism into the situation, saying: “It’s not easy to win the European Cup, everyone is talking about it a lot and it seems as though Real Madrid are already in the final – the team still has to grow and improve on many things.

“We are thinking about winning and making history with Real Madrid, but we have to have a little calm,” added the Brazilian, who won the competition with AC Milan in 2007.

Ronaldo, who also has a Champions League winner’s medal after helping Manchester United to glory in 2008, echoed those thoughts, adding on his club’s website: “The fans are understandably excited about this new project, but as Kaka has said well we have to take it step by step, thinking about things game by game.

“The Champions League is a very difficult competition. We want to win it, but success doesn’t happen overnight.”

Madrid, who yesterday announced the renewal of their sponsorship deal with bwin, which has been extended until 2013, will be looking to make it two wins out of two in Group C having beaten FC Zurich 5-2 away in their opening match.

France midfielder Lassana Diarra, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Christoph Metzelder and Alvaro Arbeloa all miss out for Manuel Pellegrini’s side due to injuries.

The Spanish giants could come up against a couple of familiar faces in the Marseille squad, with Fernando Morientes and Gabriel Heinze both now at the French club and included in Didier Deschamps’ 20-man travelling squad.

Spaniard Morientes won three Champions League medals in eight years at Madrid, while Argentinian Heinze spent two years at the Bernabeu before moving to Marseille this summer.

Morientes told www.om.net: “This will be a special moment, very special. I’m going to play against Real Madrid, a club where I spent nine years, but I prepared like any other match.

“To get motivated against teams like Real or Milan is easy.”

Marseille lost their opening Group C match 2-1 at home to AC Milan but Morientes believes a win at the Bernabeu is possible if they can hit Madrid on the break.

He said: “I think their weakness is, especially at home, when they attack, because they attack with four or five players and it is precisely then that the opposing team can find the space to score.

“I think we can hurt them like that.

“This will be terribly difficult, but I have complete confidence in what we can do.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: ac milan, Alonso, anticipation, Barcelona, champions league, christoph metzelder, Europe, five seasons, France, gabriel heinze, home match, kaka, Karim Benzema, knockout stage, league winner, league winners, MADRID, manchester united, Marseille, Milan, Morientes, real madrid, realism, ronaldo, spending spree, superstars, temper, thinking about things, treble winners, xabi alonso

Villa, the Spanish goal machine, stuck in the Europa League

September 6, 2009

It’s hard to believe Spain striker David Villa will not be playing in the Champions League again this season.

The Valencia frontman was in irresistible form against Belgium in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday when the European champions romped to a 5-0 victory in La Coruna.

Villa won and then missed a first-half penalty, before making amends by scoring two and setting up another two as Spain maintained their 100 percent record in qualifying to all but assure themselves of a place in South Africa next year.

Villa was already Spain’s second highest scorer of all time and now has 33 goals from 51 appearances –- just 11 short of Raul’s national record of 44.

What makes his tally even more impressive is that the former owner of Spain’s number seven shirt, Raul, bagged his total over 102 appearances.

Villa has time on his side, he turns 28 in December, and is on course to set a new Spanish benchmark at the World Cup finals.

But at club level, Villa will only be playing in the Europa League after Valencia finished sixth in La Liga last season.

It isn’t as though his talents have not been noticed by Europe’s leading clubs. He was tournament top scorer at Euro 2008, and has averaged almost 20 goals a season in La Liga with Real Zaragoza and then Valencia over the last six years.

Financially-troubled Valencia said they would consider offers that were “scandalously scandalous” over the summer as the big clubs circled.

But reports said Villa was keen to stay in Spain, which left big-spending Real Madrid and treble-winners Barcelona as his only possible destinations.

Real and Barca landed Cristiano Ronaldo (94 million euros) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (66 million euros) respectively, but neither were willing to stump up the money for one of the world’s most complete strikers, despite both clubs registering their interest.

For Real president Florentino Perez, who came closest to landing Villa but baulked at paying more than 40 million euros, the reasoning was thus:

“(Ronaldo and Kaka) are players that have won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA world player of the year awards, who I describe as ‘investment’ players because they have an international reach which others maybe haven’t reached,” he said in June.

Villa could be accused of a lack of ambition by wanting to stay in Spain, but Real or Barca may live to regret not signing him come next May.

PHOTO: Spain’s David Villa celebrates a goal against Belgium in Coruna, Sept.5 REUTERS/Juan Medina

Source

Tags: benchmark, champions league, DAVID VILLA, euro 2008, Europe, european champions, florentino perez, frontman, Juan, kaka, la coruna, MADRID, making amends, number seven, raul, real zaragoza, ronaldo, South Africa, Spain, striker, strikers, top scorer, treble winners, world cup finals, world cup qualifier, Zaragoza, zlatan ibrahimovic

Real remains a work in progress after sneaky 3-2 win

August 31, 2009

Real Madrid’s expensive new team boasts an awesome array of attacking talent and huge goal-scoring potential but their defence looked worryingly porous in their opening match of the La Liga season on Saturday.

President Florentino Perez spent 250 million euros ($359 million) to bring excitement and spectacle back to the Bernabeu after two barren years and judging by Saturday’s 3-2 win over Deportivo Coruna, when Real twice surrendered the lead and created a host of chances, the fans will not be disappointed.

The return of the suspended Pepe and injured pair Christoph Metzelder and Sergio Ramos may help to eradicate the errors that blighted their performance.

However, Real’s hopes of mounting an effective challenge to treble-winners Barcelona seemingly rest on the ability of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and their team mates to score more goals than are inevitably conceded.

Sports daily Marca said in an editorial on Sunday that Real were following a script against Depor that the fans had become well used to over the years.

“An opponent with a solid back line who refuses to be intimidated by so many star players and knows how to exploit the whites’ defensive weakness but who ultimately yields to massive firepower,” the paper wrote. “This (Real) promises excitement.”

Perez’s latest creation resembles the band of “galacticos” he assembled during his first stint in charge in 2000-2006, who included Zinedine Zidane, Figo, David Beckham and Brazilian striker Ronaldo.

DYNAMIC SIDES
El Pais soccer correspondent Jose Samano said that coach Manuel Pellegrini was under orders from Perez to focus on attack because the president had grown up watching dynamic Real sides including players such as Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas in the 1950s and 60s.

“Over time soccer has become more conservative but not in the mind of (Perez),” Samano wrote.

“Manuel Pellegrini has no other option than to field as many defenders as attackers, a gamble that almost got them into trouble against Depor,” he added.

“Madrid were struggling to dictate the game and obviously won’t be a balanced and well calibrated side anytime soon but their box of tricks is limitless.”

Writing in El Mundo, Orfeo Suarez said that the new-look Real side were “terrific going forward and vulnerable at the back“.

“That’s the conclusion to be drawn from the start of the second Florentino Perez era; understandable because it’s a project under construction,” he said.

“Madrid kept Depor’s hopes alive because they are not yet a team and perhaps never will be, and some of the stars are still not firing on all cylinders.”

PHOTO: Real Madrid’s Raul celebrates his goal against Deportivo Coruna with Karim Benzema (L) and Kaka (C) during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid August 29, 2009. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Source

Tags: Alfredo, alfredo di stefano, attackers, Barcelona, bernabeu, christoph metzelder, David Beckham, depor, Ferenc, florentino perez, galacticos, Jose, jose samano, Karim Benzema, MADRID, manuel pellegrini, massive firepower, metzelder, puskas, real madrid, ronaldo, sergio ramos, star players, Stefano, Susana Vera, team mates, treble winners, zinedine zidane

Real fans wait for stars to take Spanish League stage

August 29, 2009

Real Madrid fans are tingling with excitement at the prospect of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and company strut their stuff as their new-look ‘Galactico’ team host Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday in the curtain-raiser to the 2009/10 Spanish league season.

It has been an unforgettable summer with Real splashing around 250 million euros to build a star-studded team and there are likely to be a number of debutants against Depor with Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol all expected to start.

French striker Benzema has been firing in the goals in pre-season while Ronaldo has been installed as chief free-kick taker as he was at Manchester United.

It will also be Manuel Pellegrini’s first competitive game in charge of Real and everyone will expect the former Villarreal coach to have Real playing attractive winning football.

“We have to play a game of two or three touches to play attractive football,” explained Pellegrini. “We have to take it a game at a time but a club of Madrid’s stature has to aspire to win all the competitions.”

Pellegrini will be without centre-back Pepe who is suspended for the first four matches as his ten-match ban for stamping is carried over into the new season.

Depor will hope to gatecrash the first outing of the Galacticos and Real should be wary as they lost the opening fixture of last season 2-1 against Depor at their Riazor Stadium.

Due to European Super Cup commitments treble winners Barcelona begin their title defence on Monday at home to Sporting Gijon.

Sporting were beaten 6-1 and 3-1 last season so it looks a good game for Barcelona’s 69 million euro club record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make an impact.

Striker Ibrahimovic has to convince Barca fans that he is a worthy replacement for the departed Samuel Eto’o and shrug off his reputation as someone who often flatters to deceive.

“Ibrahimovic has been adapting to our style of play and I am happy with him,” said Barca coach Pep Guardiola. “He is so tall that sometimes he doesn’t seem so dynamic but he has proven it in the past and will do in the future.”

Last season Barca lost their opening game 1-0 to promoted Numancia before clicking into gear as they won a league, Kings Cup and Champions League treble.

The big game of the opening weekend is on Sunday when Valencia host Sevilla in a duel between two teams aiming for a top four finish.

Valencia had a disastrous finish to last season missing out on the Champions League but managed to hang onto Spanish internationals David Villa and David Silva amid strong interest from Europe’s top clubs.

“We are one of the best teams in the league going forward but conceded too many goals last season,” said Villa.

Sevilla, third last season, should test Valencia’s suspect backline with striker Alvaro Negredo giving them more firepower following a 15 million euro move from Real Madrid.

Atletico Madrid go into the new season with wind in their sails after defeating Panathinaikos 5-2 on aggregate in their Champions League qualifier.

Atletico travel to Malaga on Sunday as they start their bid for a first piece of silverware since 1996.

Atletico have been quiet in the transfer market with promising Spanish goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, 20, the only big name arrival from Valladolid.

Villarreal begin a new era after losing coach Pellegrini to Real and his replacement Ernesto Valverde makes his bow on Sunday at Osasuna.

Pellegrini achieved a lot in his five seasons at Villarreal so Valverde has big shoes to fill and he will hope record 12 million euro Brazilian signing Nilmar delivers the goods.

Elsewhere Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is poised to make his debut for Espanyol in Sunday’s match at Athletic Bilbao.

Nakamura, 31, has arrived on a free transfer from Celtic and Espanyol fans can look forward to some spectacular free-kicks from the dead-ball specialist.

Fixtures

Saturday

Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna 20:00 (1800 GMT), Real Zaragoza v Tenerife 22:00 (2000 GMT)

Sunday – all 15:00 GMT unless stated

Malaga v Atletico Madrid, Real Mallorca v Xerez, Racing Santander v Getafe, Osasuna v Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao v Espanyol, Valencia v Sevilla (17:00 GMT), Almería v Valladolid (1900 GMT)

Monday

Barcelona v Sporting Gijon (2000 GMT)

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: curtain raiser, debutants, depor, free kick, galacticos, kaka, Karim Benzema, la coruna, manchester united, manuel pellegrini, pep guardiola, samuel eto o, spanish league, star studded, team host, title defence, treble winners, worthy replacement

Move over U2, now Real’s Ronaldo rocks

July 8, 2009

Watching Cristiano Ronaldo getting the rock star treatment at a packed Bernabeu stadium on Monday night, I found myself thinking back to the U2 concert I had been to at Barcelona’s Camp Nou last week.

At a record $130 million, the Portuguese winger has cost Real considerably more than the Irish band’s entire world tour, which kicked off in the Catalan capital and is reported to be their most expensive to date at an estimated $100 million.

Industry publications believe the 360 tour could earn Bono & co. as much as $400 million, while Real president Florentino Perez is banking on Ronaldo and fellow new signing Kaka shifting enough shirts and other merchandise to maintain the club’s place at the top of the rich list.

He also hopes to use his new signings as bargaining chips to help him negotiate lucrative contracts for marketing and audiovisual rights.

Bono donned a Barcelona shirt midway through last week’s concert and praised the club for being the only one to carry the Unicef logo.

But at the Bernabeu on Monday it was all about showing off the most expensive and glamorous player in the world, reportedly on an annual net wage of 13 million euros.

“I have always said that if a club wants the best players it has to pay,” a beaming Ronaldo told reporters at a post-presentation news conference. “I am happy to be the world’s most valuable player and I feel proud.”

Perez the showman has successfully stolen the headlines from arch rivals and last season’s treble-winners Barcelona in recent weeks.

He has also managed to deflect attention from the fact that his previous attempt to build a team of superstars ended in failure and he abandoned the club in early 2006 as they headed towards a third straight trophy-less season.

We’ll have to wait until the next campaign begins to see whether his latest attempt will prove more successful.

The signings of Ronaldo, Kaka and France striker Karim Benzema have created a spectacular forward line but the rest of the side still looks rather ordinary.

Writing in Marca newspaper on Tuesday, former Spain coach Javier Clemente said Real needed to strengthen their central midfield and defence.

“If they don’t build a stronger and more stable defence than last year I don’t know if the magnificent players they have bought will be much use,” he wrote. “The great teams are built from the back.”

He added that it was odd that Barcelona had remained so quiet in recent weeks and had yet to make any forays into the transfer market, but noted that they did not really need to make any changes.

“Luckily for Barcelona, these recent victories for Real Madrid are not sporting results and don’t bring points in the league table. They (Barca) are still the team to beat.”

PHOTO: Real Madrid’s new Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo greets the crowd during his presentation at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, July 6, 2009. REUTERS/Juan Medina

Go to Source

Tags: arch rivals, bernabeu stadium, camp nou, entire world, forward line, France, industry publications, irish band, Javier Clemente, Juan Medina, kaka, Karim Benzema, LA Liga, lucrative contracts, MADRID, new signings, rich list, rock star, ronaldo, Santiago, showman, Spain, star treatment, treble winners, u2 concert, unicef, unicef logo, winger

Tamudo hat-trick gives Montjuic the perfect farewell

May 31, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Espanyol bid farewell to their Montjuic stadium in style with captain Raul Tamudo scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over 10-man Malaga on Sunday.

Tamudo, the club’s all-time top-scorer and an icon after spending his entire career at Espanyol, scored twice in the first half and completed his treble with a 56th minute penalty to give the Montjuic the perfect send-off.

Espanyol fans probably thought they would be struggling to fill their new Cornella-El Prat stadium in the second division but the club produced a sensational late run to beat the drop.

With 26 games gone Espanyol were bottom of the table, seven points from safety, but Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino turned things around and an incredible run saw the club win eight out of the final ten games.

Promoted Malaga, reduced to ten men after the sending off of Weligton on 54 minutes, finish a respectable eighth and can be proud of a season when they knocked on Europe’s door, briefly flirting with the Champions League spots.

In Sunday’s other early match Sevilla defeated relegated Numancia 2-0 in a game with little at stake.

Sevilla already had a Champions League spot wrapped up before the game and coach Manolo Jimenez tested fringe players with next season in mind.

Jimenez was recently rewarded with a contract extension until 2010 after getting Sevilla into the Champions League with third place and now has the task of trying to close the gap on the top two of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Numancia prepare for life in the second division with the highlight of their campaign the memories of beating treble winners Barcelona 1-0 in Soria on the opening day of the season.

Later on Sunday five teams fight to stay in the division in a tense relegation finale.

Numancia and Recreativo Huelva are already down leaving one unwanted spot left to fill.

Osasuna currently occupy third from bottom and must defeat Real Madrid, who have lost their last four games, in Pamplona to guarantee their safety.

Sporting Gijon are level on 40 points with Osasuna and face already relegated Recreativo at home.

Real Betis, a point above the drop, host a freefalling Valladolid in Sevilla with both teams capable of going down.

Getafe, level on points with Betis, are at Racing Santander needing a win to ensure their survival.

Tags: Argentine, Barcelona, captain Raul Tamudo, champions league, contract extension, cornella, Cornella-El, el prat, Espanyol, Europe, four games, gap, hat trick, LA Liga, MADRID, Malaga, Mauricio Pochettino, montjuic stadium, opening day, pamplona, raul tamudo, Real, real madrid, recreativo huelva, relegation, santander, seven points, SEVILLA, soria, sporting gijon, top scorer, treble winners, valladolid

Where should Perez splash Real cash?

May 31, 2009

Florentino Perez is on course for an unopposed return to the Real Madrid presidency on Monday, and is promising to set in motion a major spending spree to build a “spectacular sporting project.”

Speculation on who might be arriving has reached fever pitch in the Madrid-based media, and the architect of the ‘Galacticos’ policy has done everything he can to stoke their enthusiasm, short of naming names.

“We are going to have great players to continue increasing the club’s income in as short a time as possible,” he told sports daily Marca.

“We will go a bit further into debt because I think we have to make up for lost time by doing in one year what should have been done in two or three.”

He told radio station Cadena Ser he expected to make five or six signings.

With a war chest of up to 300 million euros being spoken about in the Spanish media, they have moved quickly to fill in the gaps.

With Arsene Wenger, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho slipping off the radar, Villarreal’s Manuel Pellegrini has now emerged as a surprise front runner for the coaching role.

As for players, all the usual names are present. Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, AC Milan’s Kaka and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery top the shopping list, along with Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, and Valencia trio David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata.

But where do Real really need strengthening if they are win back the initiative from treble-winners Barcelona, and bring the spectacle back to the Bernabeu?

Iker Casillas will continue between the posts, but Fabio Cannavaro’s departure for Juventus leaves them short of a partner for Pepe in the centre of defence. The injury-prone Christoph Metzelder cannot be relied upon.

Left back has also been a problem position with first-choice Gabriel Heinze struggling.

The area where they have suffered most this year is in midfield, where they have lacked the quality and pace to open up defences in the big games.

Arjen Robben spends too much time on the treatment table, the ageing Guti flickers only intermittently, while Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Marcelo and Royston Drenthe have failed to step up when needed.

In attack, Ruud van Nistelrooy missed most of the campaign with a knee injury and will be 33 by the start of next season. Raul will be 32. Gonzalo Higuain and Klaas Jan Huntelaar are not yet finished articles.

Where would you splash the cash?

PHOTO: Perez speaks during the presentation of his presidential candidature for Real Madrid, May 28, REUTERS/Susana Vera

Go to Source

Tags: Alonso, arsene wenger, Barcelona, Bayern, bayern munich, carlo ancelotti, christoph metzelder, cristiano ronaldo, David Silva, DAVID VILLA, Drenthe, fabio cannavaro, fever pitch, florentino perez, franck ribery, gabriel heinze, Jose, Juan, juan mata, kaka, klaas jan huntelaar, LA Liga, Liverpool, MADRID, Manchester, manuel pellegrini, Milan, naming names, Rafael van der, raul, ronaldo, ronaldo ac milan, spanish media, spending spree, Susana Vera Go, treble winners, Valencia, war chest, Wesley Sneijder, xabi alonso

Ferguson relishing United, Arsenal clash

April 16, 2009

PORTO, Portugal (AFP) – Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson predicted a “terrific” all-English Champions League clash with Arsenal after his team disposed of Porto in the quarter-finals Wednesday.

The reigning European champions became the first English team to win in Porto and will now meet Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal for a place in the Rome final after the London team swept past Villareal.

“It would be tough no matter who we played, but the fact it is another English side gives it a different type of spice,” Ferguson said.

“Our game earlier in the season was fantastic. It was the way football should be played.

“We are two good footballing sides, so it should be a terrific semi-final and we are looking forward to it.”

United were grateful to returning Portugal superstar Ronaldo whose stunning 35-yard strike gave United a 1-0 win on the night and 3-2 victory on aggregate.

Ferguson admitted he would settle for a low scoring victory when the Gunners visit Old Trafford in the first-leg on April 29.

“The first leg is at home, so 1-0 would be perfect for us. But it is not going to be easy,” he said.

Although the Scot had generous words for his opponents, the two clubs have not always seen eye-to-eye recently with many fixtures boiling over.

The most famous incident was the so called “pizzagate” affair in 2004 when an Arsenal player splattered Ferguson with pizza after United had controversially brought the London club’s 49-match unbeaten run to an end.

The return fixture saw a tunnel fracas between then captains Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira after the Arsenal man had squared up to United defender Gary Neville.

However, the two clubs have since made peace efforts and their games have become more memorable for the quality of football on show.

If they succeed in beating Arsenal in Europe and Everton in this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final, United will be confident of becoming the first team to win a quintuple of trophies in the same season.

The boss of United’s treble winners in 1999 remained cautious, but saw the return of his defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand, who had been out with a groin injury, and Nemanja Vidic as key to his team’s pursuit.

“We had the Bruce and Pallister partnership for six or seven years which was fantastic and with these two it’s exactly the same, they balance each other very well,” said Ferguson.

“Ferdinand’s return made the difference and it gives us the foundation on which so much of our success in the past has been built.”

After a rocky month, in which United slumped to a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool, Ferguson feels his team are now fresh enough to maintain an assault on all fronts, especially with his team back on top of the Premier League, with a one point lead and a game in hand.

“Coming to the tailend of the season, and with the quick nature of English football, you come to a point where you say ‘where can I freshen the team up?’,” he said.

“Today I was able to call in six players who did not play on Saturday and we looked fresh.”

Although ultimately unsuccessful, the Portuguese champions emerged from the tie with an enhanced reputation, especially after their superb attacking display at Old Trafford.

Assistant coach Jose Gomes refused to be downcast and predicted the experience would send his team to future success.

“We wanted more but our opponents were Manchester United and they are the best team in the world,” he said.

“We should remember it is very rare to see any team play at Old Trafford the way did last week and the second-half to today, we should all be proud.”

Tags: arsenal player, Bruce, english champions, English Premier League, european champions, everton, eye to eye, FA Cup, Ferdinand, Ferguson, fracas, generous words, gunners, Jose Gomes, LigaBwin, Liverpool, london, london club, Manchester, manchester united, old trafford, patrick vieira, peace efforts, PORTO, porto portugal, quarter finals, Rio, ROME, roy keane, Scot, sir alex ferguson, treble winners, UEFA Champions League