1999 - Manchester United 2 - 1 Bayern Munich
After their heroics in the semi-final against Juventus, I was a little unsurprised that Manchester United started this final a little flat. Nervy comebacks in semi-finals often take a lot out of teams and United are no exception. Credit must be given to Bayern though who played a very disciplined game upto the very last bit. Basler's opener seemed carefully rehearsed as Bayern took an early lead before settling into starve United into submission.
Fergie had switched Giggs and Blomqvist up on the flanks but got away with it in spectacular fashion when his replacement for an ineffectual Blomqvist, Solskjaer, actually scored the winner.
Bayern harried United at every opportunity and it surprised me how little space they afforded United. It was a complete performance, cutting United off every avenue but they undid it all with some uncharacteristic sloppiness in injury time. When Kuffour conceded a late corner I had this feeling that United would score. They did. Sheringham's header was spot-on. As often happens, a torrent turned into an downpour, and Bayern conceded another corner that led to the winner. I will say this, Giggs volley back into the danger area after the corner had been partially cleared was crucial - more so than the actual winner from Solskaer's lucky, lucky, outstretched boot.
Fair play to United, for having the belief to soldier on, but poor Bayern were truly robbed.
2000 - Real Madrid 3 - 0 Valencia
The most annoying thing about the Champions' League format is that sometimes terrible teams actually win the whole thing. For large parts of the 1999-2000 season, Real Madrid was rubbish, limping home in 5th place domestically. For large parts of the 1999-2000 final Real Madrid were brilliant.
When Roberto Carlos teed up a free kick, I thought "Bloody hell he's never gonna socre - he never does anyway". He didn't score but in the ensuing melee Moreintes tucked in and scored. I was most surprised at the ease with which he did it. To make things worse I could not believe the space afforded Raul when he broke clear for the second. I think he was beyond the last defender, in his own half ! In keeping with the theme of limited talents making the most of their chances - McManaman volleyed home a flukey shot late.
2001 - Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Valencia (Bayern wins on penalties, both regular time goals were also penalties and I think another penalty was saved)
Despite the penalty shootout this was the most boring final ever - with all respects to the Italia 90 final- whatever I remember of that.
I had an exam to study for the next day and decided to plump down in front of the TV with my books (never a good idea). So dull were the proceedings, that I was actually turning away from the football game to read up on chapter 12. I guess some of it was down to the disappoinment of not seeing Arsenal make it to the final - they lost on away goals to Valencia in the quarterfinals - Carew supplying the sucker punch. But the truth is - the game was abysmal, an apology to football purists everywhere. It was this massive grindfest. Bayern kept their date with footballing Karma, overcoming the Ches in a penalty shootout. I turned the TV off in disgust. Even Leeds United would have been more fun to watch.
2002 - Real Madrid 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen
What a goal from Zidane. Wow. The cheek in trying it was only surpassed with the sumptuous ease with which he completed it. I have tried it on the playing field and have never come even close to matching the majesty of that strike. Zinedine, we salute you.
Raul's goal was very lucky though, capitalising on a poor throw from Basturk - but that's what he is - a nippy finisher and a tricky poacher. Lucio's equaliser was dogged - his Jesus loves you T shirt underneath would come out for the first time that summer during a football match.
Spare a thought though for Ballack, Neuville, Ramelow and Schneider. This was the third club competition they would finish 2nd in that season. But that's not the end of it - they would go on to lose the World Cup final as well.
After their heroics in the semi-final against Juventus, I was a little unsurprised that Manchester United started this final a little flat. Nervy comebacks in semi-finals often take a lot out of teams and United are no exception. Credit must be given to Bayern though who played a very disciplined game upto the very last bit. Basler's opener seemed carefully rehearsed as Bayern took an early lead before settling into starve United into submission.
Fergie had switched Giggs and Blomqvist up on the flanks but got away with it in spectacular fashion when his replacement for an ineffectual Blomqvist, Solskjaer, actually scored the winner.
Bayern harried United at every opportunity and it surprised me how little space they afforded United. It was a complete performance, cutting United off every avenue but they undid it all with some uncharacteristic sloppiness in injury time. When Kuffour conceded a late corner I had this feeling that United would score. They did. Sheringham's header was spot-on. As often happens, a torrent turned into an downpour, and Bayern conceded another corner that led to the winner. I will say this, Giggs volley back into the danger area after the corner had been partially cleared was crucial - more so than the actual winner from Solskaer's lucky, lucky, outstretched boot.
Fair play to United, for having the belief to soldier on, but poor Bayern were truly robbed.
2000 - Real Madrid 3 - 0 Valencia
The most annoying thing about the Champions' League format is that sometimes terrible teams actually win the whole thing. For large parts of the 1999-2000 season, Real Madrid was rubbish, limping home in 5th place domestically. For large parts of the 1999-2000 final Real Madrid were brilliant.
When Roberto Carlos teed up a free kick, I thought "Bloody hell he's never gonna socre - he never does anyway". He didn't score but in the ensuing melee Moreintes tucked in and scored. I was most surprised at the ease with which he did it. To make things worse I could not believe the space afforded Raul when he broke clear for the second. I think he was beyond the last defender, in his own half ! In keeping with the theme of limited talents making the most of their chances - McManaman volleyed home a flukey shot late.
2001 - Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Valencia (Bayern wins on penalties, both regular time goals were also penalties and I think another penalty was saved)
Despite the penalty shootout this was the most boring final ever - with all respects to the Italia 90 final- whatever I remember of that.
I had an exam to study for the next day and decided to plump down in front of the TV with my books (never a good idea). So dull were the proceedings, that I was actually turning away from the football game to read up on chapter 12. I guess some of it was down to the disappoinment of not seeing Arsenal make it to the final - they lost on away goals to Valencia in the quarterfinals - Carew supplying the sucker punch. But the truth is - the game was abysmal, an apology to football purists everywhere. It was this massive grindfest. Bayern kept their date with footballing Karma, overcoming the Ches in a penalty shootout. I turned the TV off in disgust. Even Leeds United would have been more fun to watch.
2002 - Real Madrid 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen
What a goal from Zidane. Wow. The cheek in trying it was only surpassed with the sumptuous ease with which he completed it. I have tried it on the playing field and have never come even close to matching the majesty of that strike. Zinedine, we salute you.
Raul's goal was very lucky though, capitalising on a poor throw from Basturk - but that's what he is - a nippy finisher and a tricky poacher. Lucio's equaliser was dogged - his Jesus loves you T shirt underneath would come out for the first time that summer during a football match.
Spare a thought though for Ballack, Neuville, Ramelow and Schneider. This was the third club competition they would finish 2nd in that season. But that's not the end of it - they would go on to lose the World Cup final as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment