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Sir Alex Ferguson managed to efficiently preserve Lionel Messi at bay when Manchester United met Barcelona within the semi-finals of the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League. Now Wes Brown, who performed each video games, has revealed the legendary supervisor’s precise directions to cease the wonderful Argentinean.
Lionel Messi had scored six targets within the competitors that marketing campaign; so the Manchester United supervisor knew it was essential to preserve the Barcelona ace quiet to win the tie.
Wes Brown was handed that job, one the Englishman managed to hold out with exceptional aplomb. Regardless of Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty, Manchester United secured a goalless draw on the Camp Nou; a 1-0 win at Outdated Trafford took them via to the ultimate, which they received.
Talking to Stadium Astro, the previous Manchester United defender spoke concerning the one easy instruction he was requested to observe, revealing the way it helped him cease Lionel Messi within the two video games.
“I used to be truly marking him, so wherever he went, I needed to go together with him. It was superb, however I simply keep in mind the supervisor saying, ‘simply don’t dive in Wes, you’ll be superb, simply don’t dive in’. Then in the event you ever watch that recreation, the primary 10 minutes I dived in, and he took the ball previous me. Then after that, I did not dive in, and he type of at all times laid it off to someone else. That at all times makes me chuckle” reminisced Brown.
Lionel Messi did get his revenge a yr later, with Barcelona occurring to beat Manchester United in two Champions League finals within the subsequent few years.
Lionel Messi is unbelievable, however Manchester United managed to maintain him at bay: Wes Brown
Wes Brown additionally revealed how Manchester United have been excessive on confidence earlier than the 2 European video games however was fast to acknowledge Lionel Messi’s super skills with the ball.
“I believe at that stage the workforce was so good, everybody was so assured, not simply the defence, the midfield, the strike power we had with Tevez, Rooney, and Ronaldo – everybody was on a excessive. We have been assured going into the sport, particularly drawing the primary one on the Nou Camp, coming again to Outdated Trafford, we at all times thought, ‘we all know we are able to do it’” stated Brown.
The previous Manchester United participant continued on this regard:
“Messi, he’s unbelievable as a result of he’s bought full velocity with the ball – not many individuals can try this. For those who do dive in, he simply strikes it and strikes it once more, however we managed to maintain him at bay” stated Brown.
Revealed 27 Jan 2021, 23:57 IST
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