Sometimes when the wind of miracles blow in the world of football, skeptics like me always find it hard to attach these events to fate. In fact, it takes a lot for me to attach the concept of "Providence or Luck" to the outcome of a football match. I am of the school of thought that Life rewards everyone according to their efforts, I think it's time to be a bit more liberal. Wednesday night Second leg round of 16 clash between the undisputed French Champions PSG and Manchester United at Parc des Princes have left me searching for an explanation of how it happened.
When you talk of events that defy and unsettle scientific analysis, maybe this game could be a quintessential example. Well, that could still be debatable though, as some sports analysts will find something to describe what transpired, LOL. But that's by the way, let's take a look at how Manchester united turned the tables around, it was unbelievable. I think the bookies are always the top beneficiaries of these unbelievable stunts in football, this week is a favoured one for them. From the humiliation of Madrid by Ajax to the unforeseeable elimination of a cruising PSG side by a United team that have been wrecked somewhat by injuries.
It's about three weeks now or thereabout that a high flying Manchester united side under the leadership of Ole were humbled by an in form Paris Saint-Germain side. The first leg of that encounter at Old Trafford had ended 2-0 in favour of the visitors who played with so much confidence despite being without their two star players. Neymah Jr and Edison Cavani's absence didn't appear to be a worry for the French champions, who hard no difficulty in dislodging Ole's United in front of their home fans. That loss at Old Trafford raised lots of doubt on United's strength to extend their flying form in English football to Europe. Some said Ole will have to do more for the team to be at the European level.
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All hopes appeared lost and a possibility of staging a comeback or standing a chance to qualify to the quarterfinals of the Champions league seemed gone. Worsening the situation, Paul Pogba who has been the backbone of the team got a red card, therefore missing out in the second leg. With no glimpse of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard being fit for the second leg clash that took place yesterday night in France, Olé and Manchester united were heading for the impossible, at least majority of us thought towards that direction. However, the baby-faced manager went to France and conquered PSG in their second leg encounter. It was thrilling and United won 3-1 at the end. I think Ole has got the same lucky star that followed Zidane in Madrid, just saying though.
The Norwegian caretaker manager patched-up his team and marched blood for blood against against the favorites, and as wonders will be, he came out unscathed with his head held high. It was a moment like never before, a comeback of all comebacks. The result saw Manchester united distort the record books, as they became the first team in Champions League history to advance to the next round having lost by two or more goals at home in the first leg of a knockout match. No one saw it coming, not even me! Hahaha... Don't mind me, sometimes I see myself as a god. The Impossible! That's exactly what United did yesterday night in France. So I asked myself, will I be more surprised by football again? It's just a crazy game!
Well, it all started like a joke when Romelu Lukaku got the first goal in what could be the fastest goal in Champions league this season. The Belgium sharpshooter took advantage of a defensive shortcoming from Thilo Kehrer to round Buffon and put the visitors ahead. Thereby opening the game to what will later be a thrilling encounter. The Belgian forward has been having a difficult time in United since the days of Mourinho, but he has kept his head afloat. He proved his mettle in Wednesday night and I think Ole may begin considering handing him the starting spot. Well, he will have the VAR referee to thank for making his brace an instrumental feat.
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If not for the call of the Video official, advising Damir Skomina to have a holistic look at the deflection off Presnel Kimpembe's elbow, Lukaku's brace would have been lost in the fog of their elimination. But that single decisive call resulted in a late winning penalty that saw United through to the next round. I will not also fail to cut some slack for Marcus Rashford who stepped up in such pressured moment to fire in the spot kick. Thereby ending Buffon's dream of winning the Champions league this season and handing Ole a ticket to the quarterfinals. He struck the ball with aplomb and undiluted confidence. Even though Ole admitted his jittery in handing the spot kick to Rashford, but he did it anyway. Extreme moments calls for extreme decisions, and on this occasion, Ole was right in his choice again.
The 21 year old Rashford saw the worwld stood still when he wanted to take the spot kick. Prior to Wednesday's penalty kick, he had never taken a competitive penalty for Manchester united before. I can only imagine what was going through his mind when he was asked to step forward with a Champions League last-16 tie on the line against the French giants following Presnel Kimpembe 's handball. Initially, it seemed like it was gonna be a damn one side game, as PSG revelled in the space United were leaving at their right side. Bailly and Ashley Young appeared not in control of their wing, and PSG explored it with ease. It seems the introduction of Dalot added life to United's attack from that flank after Bailly was substituted for injury. Dalot brought more coordination to the side and Ole's side started making some strides.
The win also meant that Manchester united have won more games than any other club across Europe's top five leagues, with only Manchester City as an exception since Olé took control of Old Trafford in December. That ignominious defeat to United also meant that PSG has failed to qualify to the quarterfinals of the Champions league in the last three years. The Outcome of the game speaks volumes that Olé and Manchester united could be in a mission of regaining their lost status in European football, and trust me, with the way Olé is going, United is fast becoming a force to reckon with in this campaign. Olé's side now joins the likes of Tottenham, Ajax and Porto at the quarterfinals of the Champions league.
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