Manchester loses out on UEFA  

By Mohau Ramashidja

Real Madrid’s 3–2 aggregate win against Manchester United left many in question over referee’s decision in the 56^th minute. This follows when Nani was sent off with a straight red after his stats up on Madrid’s Arboloa’s ribcage.

With a man down from both sides, it was Madrid who had the upper hand of unleashing one of their rare talents Modric, to punish the unsettled Man United. Modric’s goal came in the 67^th minute when he curled in a shot out of the 18 yard to find the back of the net.

However this was not the case with Madrid in the first half. It was more of a rat and a cat chase game, with Manchester knowing it was going to get away with the cheese if they could increase the lead given their away goal at Santiago Bernabeu.

Both sides remained resolute of maintaining a clean sheet in the first half. But it was Manchester’s Rafael who proved to be more witter in defence when Madrid’s captain Sergio Ramos found himself mind boggled when he deflected Nani’s cross into an on-goal.
 

An emotional match for both teams, Ryan Giggs making his 1 000 appearance for the Red Devils and CR7 assigned to take out a team he once served in before moving to Real Madrid. Whatever emotional state both players were in, it all came down to who wanted to make it in to the next round more. And it was Cristiano Ronaldo who stood up to the occasion when he slid through a shot thanks to Huguain’s impeccable cross in the 68^th minute.  
         

With 20 minutes remaining on the clock, Manchester made three of its substitutions hoping for a comeback. Cleverly, Welbeck and Rafael made way for Rooney, Young and Valencia to revive the struggling side. Though intended to cause an upset for Madrid, it turned out to be a platform for Madrid’s keeper Lopez to prove to world that Cassillas wasn’t the only one who could perform world class saves, mostly when needed.

Match ended 2–1 in favour of Madrid.