VIEW: United vs Schalke (a). 2-0

Prior to the game, all the talk was understandably about United's poor form against, and failure to overcome, German opposition in the Champions League. So as the tabloids so delighted in reminding us: first came Borrusia Dortmund in 1996/97 - our first memorable appearance in the competition - where our heroic 4-0 performance against Porto in the Quarter Final was reduced to mere memories (firmly securing it's status in the now classic genre of 'great European nights at Old Trafford'). Fast forward to 2001 and it was Bayern's turn to do us and in turn seek revenge for '99 and all that. It was then the unfancied and underestimated Leverkusen the season after that, going through on away goals, and finally we look back just over 12 months ago to Bayern's second pop at destroying us in the Quarter Finals, although this time round it was that bit more painful.

It's fair to say therefore that the German's have a given us a good hiding over the years, delighting in the fact that they have prevented Ze English from progressing in Europe's premier competition.

So yesterday, with Schalke having won all of their previous home games in the competition - including the 2-1 victory over Inter in the Quarter Finals that completed their 7-3 demolition of the holders - as well as the German jinx that we had been instilled within the pre-match build-up, I was a tad sceptical of our chances of reaching a third final in four years.

However, what was witnessed yesterday was simply beautiful and baring in mind the above, slightly unexpected.

As I watched my United side dominate with 66% possession and 18 attempts on goal, embarrassing them on their home soil and disregarding the performance of every one of their players bar their 'keeper (did Raul even play??), I had failed to consider two things. Firstly, Schalke's impressive form in the competition is completely overshadowed by their awful domestic form, with their woeful show yesterday proving that they are 10th in the league for a reason.

And secondly, at this stage of the season, United's desire to win and overcome adversity in order to succeed is simply overwhelming, and too much for most teams to absorb.

We utterly dominated the game from start to finish, making the home side look like they had ridden their luck to make it this far. A case of one team who had everything to play for against a team who were simply 'happy to be here'.




Even when we saw one of our endless flows of attack either broken down or end up in an incredible save, Schalke wasted every chance they got - granting the ball back to United or being forced to shoot from distance, such was the intimidating nature of our performance. From Rio and Vidic at the back (their best performance as a pair of the season), to the energetic Park and Valencia and the composed, commanding Carrick in the centre, we completely dominated all over the field. As for our attacking trio of Giggs, Rooney and Hernandez? They each should have had a goal by half-time to reward their pressure and prowess in front of goal.

However at the break we shockingly found ourselves going in at 0-0. But beneath the surface and all-square appearance of the scoreline was an outstanding, match-saving performance from their number 1. Whoever Fergie has in line to replace Van der sar, he'll do well to find anyone better in the world right now than Neuer. In one-on-ones, coming out on corners and in his general, imposing appearance in the box - at one point as he made himself 'look big' I swear I saw a certain Mr. Schmeichel in their goal? - he did all he could to keep his poor side undeservedly in it and prove that the hype surrounding Bayern bound Neuer is warranted.

But he couldn't do it all on his own, as our constant pressure and harassment of their defence had to eventually take its toll. And after Giggs' opener on 67 minutes (now the oldest ever scorer in the Champions League), Rooney finished the game - and potentially the tie - two minutes later to take a thoroughly deserved and fair result back to Old Trafford.

Did Schalke play badly? Yes. But you need to ask the question why. Why did this team, so accomplished this season already in Europe appear lost in this competition, let alone this stage of the competition. The reason is because they couldn't even contemplate dealing with an experienced United side in this mood. We were dominant, desperate to win and in turn we produced a performance capable, and worthy, of winning the competition itself.




Full credit to Schalke for reaching their first ever Champions League Semi Final, but the excitement after their Quarter Final victory is now over. Yesterday, and unlucky for them again in seven days time, they faced up to real contenders: up against a side serious about success, serious about being Europe's best, and serious about eradicating German's out of European competitions. Especially if a place in the final is up for grabs.







Goals.