VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) - Manchester United squandered the chance to win their Champions League group on Wednesday after a lacklustre display got what it deserved in a 2-1 defeat to Valencia.
Already through to the last 16, Jose Mourinho made eight changes at the Mestalla, including a return for Paul Pogba, but United were largely outplayed by their Spanish opponents, who sit 15th in La Liga.
Carlos Soler's driven shot and a Phil Jones own-goal put Valencia two up early in the second half before United came alive in the final minutes after Marcus Rashford's header gave them brief hope.
Perhaps Mourinho and his players had assumed Juventus would win away at Young Boys but the Italians' surprise 2-1 loss meant United had first place within their grasp.
Instead, they go through as runners-up into Monday's draw for the last 16, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Porto all potential opponents.
Porto would probably be the favoured pick but on this evidence, they might feel the same about United. After all, Valencia also made changes, eight of them, with their fate resigned to dropping into the Europa League.
They had failed to score in six of their last eight Champions League games while poor form in La Liga has their coach Marcelino fighting for his future.
After drawing against Sevilla last weekend, their fans swung white handkerchiefs in the air to demonstrate their dissatisfaction.
Pogba, left out against Arsenal and Fulham, started here but contributed little, save for a glaring miss in the first half. Eric Bailly also came in but his partnership with Jones was rocky all night.
United made Valencia look like world-beaters in the opening 45 minutes. They were slow in possession and just as sluggish out of it. Frustration bubbled and burst, as a handful of tackles flew in and missed.
Valencia were excellent. Geoffrey Kondogbia and Dani Parejo both went close early on before another pinball session in the penalty area saw the ball land at the feet of Soler. He looked up, picked his spot and drove into the far corner.
Michy Batshuayi should have made it two but headed over and Mouctar Diakhaby could have had a penalty when denied a simple finish by the clambering Marouane Fellaini.
United had the occasional opening, the best of them falling to Pogba, who somehow stabbed wide after Fellaini's header offered him a tap-in from two yards. The flag of the assistant referee spared his blushes but replays showed he was onside.
Jones marched off at half-time shaking his head, having berated his midfield for failing to track back, but the interval brought no relief.
Almost as soon as they restarted, Romelu Lukaku misread a Bailly pass. Just as others had before, Bailly threw his arms up in frustration.
Soon after it was two, Soler's pass landing between Sergio Romero and Jones, with Batshuayi on the chase. Jones panicked, met the ball on the slide, and pushed it past his approaching goalkeeper and into his own net.
There were 43 minutes left but a United comeback never looked likely until Rashford, on as a substitute, headed home in the 87th minute. Jesse Lingard had done well to keep the ball alive before Ashley Young supplied the cross.
Juan Mata could even have equalised. Pogba's scooped ball over the top left him alone in front of goal but he missed the ball as he tried to volley on the turn. A point would have been more than United deserved.
Jose Mourinho is heading back to Real Madrid - and could be in charge within a month, according to the club's former president. Ramon Calderon says there is "no doubt" that manager Mourinho
Feb 26, 2019 · Leicester had long viewed Rodgers as an ideal successor to Claude Puel but there were doubts as to whether he could be persuaded to leave Celtic in the middle of the season, with the Scottish
Brendan Rodgers at Leicester: The main challenges he will
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a new benchmark in global stadium design, offering one of the finest spectator experiences in the world and, by incorporating a fully retractable pitch, becoming the first purpose-built home for the NFL in Europe.
Tottenham Hot Spurs at Amazon | Top Songs from 59p
AD
Football: Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia 3-1 in Europa League LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in the first half and fellow striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang snatched a last-gasp third goal to secure a 3-1 win over Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday (May 2).
Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia - Cyprus Mail
These tools should be struck only with hammers of lesser hardness. DO NOT strike this tool with a steel sledge hammer- the hammer or sledge could explode and/or fragment causing severe injury or death. USE A BRASS OR COPPER HAMMER WHEN STRIKING A PUNCH. We have added a couple of brass hammers to this page that should work fine.
Black Ops 2 Zombies: Pack A Punch 13 Times! - YouTube
My San Antonio Spurs, the class of the NBA, are primed and ready for another run. Winners of 9 straight and set to get #6.
Spurs prevail again in rematch with Lakers - San Antonio
Lionel Messi collected a record fifth Golden Shoe award on Tuesday for finishing last season as the top goal scorer in Europe. The striker scored 34 goals in 68 games for Barcelona, putting him
Soccer Shoes Messi Sold Direct - eBay | Fantastic prices on Soccer Shoes Messi
AD
Klopp calm for the run-in LONDON • The Premier League title race is the most competitive it has been for years, but Jurgen Klopp is not having a "heart attack" whenever he hears nearest challengers Manchester City have won.
John Barnes urges calm from Liverpool fans in title run-in
United Spurs Juve And Inter Ready To Heat Up Icc Singapore. Singapore Spurs Tottenhamhotspur. Manchester United Supporters Club Singapore The Official.
Spurs, Man United, Juventus and Inter heading to Singapore
SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - Brazilian soccer great Pele had a successful operation to remove a kidney stone on Saturday (April 13), doctors in Sao Paulo said. Football: Pele recovering well after
Pele recovering well after kidney stone operation - Football
LEICESTER CITY 0 CARDIFF CITY 1. Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa strike at Leicester. 3 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Cardiff City - King
Football: Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa
sportstons.com/soccer/football-cardiff-earn-first-away-win-with-late-camarasa-strike-at-leicester/
Football: Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa strike at Leicester LEICESTER, England (REUTERS) - A 92nd-minute goal from midfielder Victor Camarasa and a penalty save from goalkeeper Neil Etheridge ensured Cardiff City beat Leicester City 1-0 for their first away victory of the Premier League season on Saturday (Dec 29).
Footballl news - Cardiff earn first away win with late
Soccer: Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash
David de Gea has made three errors leading to goals in his last four games in all competitions for Manchester United, as many as in his previous 123 matches for the club As Manchester United lined
Man Utd: David de Gea ridiculed for blaming wind for howler v
Football: Spalletti leaves Inter Milan despite securing Champions League spot, Conte set to take over MILAN (AFP) - Luciano Spalletti has left Inter Milan, the Serie A club announced on Thursday (May 30), with former Italy manager Antonio Conte set to be announced as the club's new coach.
Football: Spalletti leaves Inter Milan despite securing
virginiabus.info/sports/football-spalletti-leaves-inter-milan-despite-securing-champions-league-spot-conte-set-to-take-over/
MILAN (AFP) - Luciano Spalletti has left Inter Milan, the Serie A club announced on Thursday (May 30), with former Italy manager Antonio Conte set to be announced as the club's new coach. "Luciano Spalletti is no longer head coach of the first team," Inter said in a statement.
Spalletti leaves Inter Milan with Conte set to take over
0 comments:
Post a Comment