A stunning goal from Paul Scholes gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over Barcelona on Tuesday to set up an all-English Champions League final against either Liverpool or Chelsea in Moscow next month. Scholes was suspended for United’s epic victory over Bayern Munich in the 1999 final, and Ferguson had already said he would play in the final if they qualified.
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard shrugged off mounting speculation about his future on Monday as he said his side had prepared for a penalty shoot-out ahead of their Champions League semifinal second-leg clash against Manchester United on Tuesday. The Catalan side held United to a goalless draw in last week’s first leg at the Nou Camp.
Manchester United return to Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium on Wednesday, the scene of one of their greatest victories, with the Champions League final again in their sights. The reigning English champions and Premiership leaders face the Catalan club, who won the 2006 Champions League, on Wednesday in the first leg of a semifinal tie.
No image available
/ 23 October 2007
European giants Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal can all take a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase if they win their respective matches on Tuesday. All three have a perfect six points from their first two matches and another victory will leave them virtually assured of progression.
No image available
/ 16 October 2007
Deprived of almost all its major stars, the Italian team to face Bafana Bafana in Siena on Wednesday night will look more like the national B-team line-up than current world champions. Even the inclusion of Paolo Cannavaro in the squad is misleading to the unsuspecting.