Wednesday 13 February 2013

Away Draws For United & Dortmund

Both Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have come away from home in their first leg matches with away score draws. It's only the one away goal for United who travelled to the Bernabeu while Dortmund managed to get in the Ukraine against Shakhtar.

After David De Gea pulled off a couple of great saves, United took the lead after 20-minutes when a corner was smartly headed in by Danny Welbeck. But United knew that wouldn't keep a clean sheet against Real Madrid and their lead lasted for ten minutes. Angel Di Maria managing to beat Rafael before floating the ball in the air for, who else, Cristiano Ronaldo to brilliantly head home against his former team. The Portuguese was very respectful and refused to celebrate the equaliser and his seventh goal of the tournament.

United were more attacking in the second half but needed De Gea to continue to be at his brilliant best. Ronaldo almost brought the Bernabeu to life with an outrageous free-kick that just dipped on to the roof of the net. United's best chances to win the match fell to Robin Van Persie, but the Dutchman fluffed one attempted volley and Diego Lopez saved the others.

There was slightly more action in the other match in the Ukraine. The hosts took the lead just after the hour mark when Dario Srna's free-kick found the back of the net. But, just like United, Shakhtar's lead lasted for only ten minutes when Mario Gotze's ball found Robert Lewandowski who had no problem finishing from close range, his fifth goal of the tournament.

Shakhtar retook the lead on 68-minutes when poor defending allowed Douglas Costa to shoulder the ball before finishing well with a scissor's kick. But Dortmund managed to equalise once again, this time Mats Hummels escaped unmarked to head home a corner three minutes from time.

With both United and Dortmund getting away goals, it'd be easy to say that they now have the advantage. For Dortmund this may well be the case as Shakhtar are much better at home than they are away. But United's away goal will surely be cancelled out by Madrid at Old Trafford, leaving this tie tantalisingly open.

No comments:

Post a Comment