Despite a Manchester United goal in the fifth minute by Gabriel Heinze--no, strike that! A goal by the twinkle-toed Cristiano Ronaldo--damn it! Okay, it was a blasted own goal by Milan's stalwart Brazilian keeper Dida--#&*%!
I guess it was Ronaldo after all. Unfortunately I still think Dida flicked it into his own net. No matter. A goal is a goal is a goal and Man U wasn't going to argue it. They were on the scoreboard and ready to fire more against a stealthy but aging Milan squad who looked a little unsure of themselves in those opening moments. Luckily for the supporters of the Rossoneri, the magnificently composed and dangerous Kaka generated some serious comeback thrills by scoring in the 22' and 37' minutes respectively, immediately lowering the crowd volume and expectations at Old Trafford and seemingly casting a divine light upon the veteran Italian team.
But the football gods are a fickle bunch and by the time Rooney awkwardly managed to fumble a ball past Dida in the 59th (thanks to a plucky Paul Scholes pass), it was becoming increasingly clear that Milan would be lucky to leave with a point. This was not the same goal-crazed Man U that dismantled Roma a few weeks ago with that 7-1 embarrassment, but they nevertheless managed to remain focused, patient, and deadly when need be. And in the 90th... with the clock ticking down... Rooney made sure that he would be the one to keep Man U's crusade to the Champions League finals divinely alight. I still think that Milan can pull off the win next week at the San Siro, but that dream of European victory for the controversial, battered, and weary squad looks a little dimmer. And though I would love to see a rematch between Liverpool and Milan in the finals, something tells me that this year may belong to Mourinho and The Blues after years of European disappointment.
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