[R] - Manchester United - Besiktas
Real Mardin
Manchester United 0 - Besiktas 1
(Tello 20)
Manchester United paid the price for fielding a second string side
when they came up against a spirited Besiktas side.
Given that the Turkish Champions had in recent seasons lost 6-0 and
8-0 to Leeds and Liverpool respectively, perhaps Ferguson could have
been forgiven for thinking his team of kids and bench warmers wouldn't
have had too much difficulty tonight, but the Black Eagles turned out
organised, solid and spirited. Attractive, counterattacking football
was the order of the day, although the winner came via a deflected
Tello shot from mid distance. Following some nice build up play, Fink
squandered a great chance near the end of the first half to double the
Black Eagles' lead.
Besiktas shut up shop somewhat in the second half, Manchester United
created a number of decent chances and may have equalised or even
gone in front, were it not for some heroics in goal from the veteran
Turkish keeper Rustu Recber at the end of the game.
A few bits of trivia:
Besiktas are managed by Mustafa Denizli, who is looking very good for
his 60 years. Denizli is the only manager to have won the Turkish
League with Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. He also became the
first manager to take a Turkish team to the semi finals of a European
competition, namely Galatasaray in the 1988/89 European Cup (partly
thanks to *that* goal from Cevat Prekazi). However, he was somewhat
embarassed when, as manger of Fenerbahce, made a substitution which
inadvertently took the team over their permitted quota of foreign
players, causing Fener to lose the game in question 3-0 by default.
This lead to him being knicknamed " Professor Denizlistein" by
Galatasaray supporters.
Besiktas' victory was somewhat reminiscent of Fenerbahce's 1-0
Champions League win at Old Trafford in 1996. Not just because of the
scoreline and nationalities involved, but because the result brings to
an end a long undefeated home run for Man United. In 1996, a 40 year
unbeaten European home run was brought to an end by Elvir Bolic's
deflected chip. Tonight, Tello's deflected shot brought to an end an
eight year 24 game unbeaten home Champions League record.
The result also means that should they lose their next game to
Wolfsburg, United would qualify from the group in second place,
increasing the likelihood of hazardous draw for the second round.
RM
Jellore
I am not so sure that the 1st or 2nd place position has any advantage
at all at present.
SHUSSBAR
Playing the return at home if it is of any help. Other than that you
are right