Real Madrid came into Old Trafford, and walked out with
a 2-1 victory courtesy of a astonishing goal by Luka Modric, and a routine winning
goal from United’s former hitman, Cristiano Ronaldo, to advance to the Champions
League’s quarterfinals stage though Manchester
opened the scoring via an own goal by Real’s Sergio Ramos.
This was a game that won’t be remembered for spectacular
goals and intriguing tactics by both managers, it will be remembered for a call
made by Turkish referee Cuynet Cakir, who sent off Manchester’s Nani early in
the second half for a charge, studs high, into the midsection of Madrid’s Alvaro
Arbeloa.
Both managers expressed regret that the game did not
play out with both teams full complement of players. With Madrid manager Jose
Mourinho saying, “[United] were playing very well, they were aggressive and
they were compact, I am not speaking about the decision as I am not sure of it.
I do think the best team lost.”
The fact is that the decision distracted from what was a
riveting match, filled with some awe-inspiring play. Luka Modric’s goal, a
brilliant shot off the post, past a sprawling David de Gea. While United’s goal
came after a blistering spell of pressure that forced two stops from a frazzled
Madrid keeper Diego Lopez.
Some recognition, however, should go to Modric. Coming
on in the second half replacing Arbeloa immediately turned Real into a threat
combined with Kaka replacing the injured Angel di Maria. Gonzalo Higuain was used to fine effect to pry
United’s back line apart with Mesut Ozil, working off Modric, proved to be too
slick for United to handle.
