PARIS • Manchester United travelled to Paris yesterday without 10 first-team players and facing a two-goal deficit, but the odds are not insurmountable for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose players "feel invincible".
The Red Devils will be boosted for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie by the presence of former manager Alex Ferguson, who was on the same team plane, with Solskjaer's men seeking to invoke the spirit of their European Cup-winning campaign in 1999 against Paris-Saint Germain today.
Such is the squad's self-belief after a run of 12 wins in 15 games in all competitions since the Norwegian took over on an interim basis in December, and they now "feel that every game we are in with a chance to win".
And, after a club-record eight straight away victories, the caretaker boss believes his short-handed team, who will also be without the suspended Paul Pogba, are "not going to go out without giving a fight".
In an interview posted on the club's website, he said: "We can't write games off, we've been fantastic away from home.
"We're going to go out there and enjoy the game. We know it's (Parc des Princes) a difficult place to come and they played really well at Old Trafford, so it's a great challenge for our players to go out there and show what they can do.
"They go into away games now knowing that we can defend well and we've got pace on the counter. They've been very confident away from home so hopefully, we can take that to Paris because we have to - we're playing against top, top players."
NOT SITTING BACK
We'd rather win 4-2 than try to get a 2-0. We've got to get to half-time better off than we are now. If you can get to 1-0 at half-time, then anything can happen in the second half.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, Manchester United interim manager, hinting that his team will attack from the start.
PLAYING WITHOUT FEAR
With the injuries we've got, the position we're in, going to Paris is a tough place to go... but the really impressive performances have been away from home. The players they've got are suited to playing away from home.
RYAN GIGGS, United legend and Wales manager, on his former team having what it takes to beat PSG today.
Pinpointing his aim to at least pull back a goal in the first half, Solskjaer added: "We'd rather win 4-2 than try to get a 2-0. We've got to get to half-time better off than we are now. If you can get to 1-0 at half-time, then anything can happen in the second half.
"They are confident going into the game, even knowing that we are 2-0 down... we have got loads of injuries, but there's a few boys here that will want to be part of it.
"Certainly, for our players, they know what we are capable of and we have spoken about it. They know that they are part of a special club that can do something like this.
"We have got to go for it. We have a mountain to climb, but we have quality players."
While United have been forced to bring along five academy players after a growing casualty list including Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian, Anthony Martial, Phil Jones and Alexis Sanchez, club great Ryan Giggs thinks a comeback win is "not impossible".
Speaking at a Champions League trophy tour event in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Wales manager backed calls for Solskjaer to take the reins on a full-time basis, saying: "I can't see anyone past Ole at the moment. The record they've had in the league has been phenomenal.
"It's a tough league and to put together the run that he's done, it's impressive.
"With the injuries we've got, the position we're in, going to Paris is a tough place to go... but the really impressive performances have been away from home.
"The players they've got are suited to playing away from home."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
PSG V MAN UNITED
Singtel TV Ch110 & StarHub Ch214, tomorrow, 3.55am
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 08, 2019, with the headline 'Malcom shines in absence of other Barca stars'.
Malcom shines in absence of other Barca stars
Podcast: Offseason plans to fix the Charlotte Hornets - At
Football: Saudi Arabia show title credentials with 4-0 win
Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Newport County AFC v Manchester City - Rodney Parade, Newport, Britain - February 16, 2019 Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez scores their fourth goal Action Imag
Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarterfinals
Watford brought West Ham United's streak of Premier League success to an abrupt halt with a surprise 2-0 win at the London Stadium on Saturday thanks to a first-half Troy Deeney penalty and a
Deeney and Deulofeu seal Watford win over West Ham and raise
Alaves, also on 17 points, are third, with Sevilla in fourth and Atletico Madrid in fifth. Espanyol's win also means two teams from Barcelona occupy the top two places in La Liga for the first time since December 2004. Second-bottom Rayo Vallecano were beaten 2-1 at home by Getafe, while Eibar and Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 in a Basque derby.
Burnley boosted their Premier League survival hopes with a hard-fought 2-0 win over a lacklustre Wolves at Turf Moor on Saturday. The hosts made a dream start in the Lancashire sunshine by opening
Burnley boost survival hopes with 2-0 win over Wolves - Reuters
Football: Hougang United seek Fifa resolution after new signing Rafael Ramazotti quits and joins Mexican club Rafael Ramazotti (left) in action for Bruneian side DPMM in 2016. NEW PAPER FILE PHOTO
Latest RAFAEL RAMAZOTTI | The Straits Times
Published Mar 16, 2019 09:41pm Bangladesh detains FIFA official for 'defaming' PM AFP Bangladesh authorities jailed a senior member of football's world governing body on Saturday, hours after she was arrested for allegedly defaming the country's leader.
Bangladesh detains FIFA official for 'defaming' PM
As Singapore legend Kadir Yahaya looks to guide Tampines first-team head coach Gavin Lee to a successful season, he urged all local football coaches to show more respect and dedication to their role. The Stags started their 2019 season with a bang after sealing a 3-1 comeback victory away to Yangon United in the AFC Cup […]
Jesus saves Man City with last-gasp winner | Daily Nigerian
Solid and smart Bayern hold Liverpool at Anfield Champions League experience and quality organisation as they held Liverpool to a goalless draw in the first leg of their last 16 match at
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich: Solid Bayern hold Liverpool to 0
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 12, 2019, with the headline 'No pats on backs for City after rout: Pep'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
No pats on backs for City after rout: Pep - theworldnews.net
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has vowed that his team will attack Valencia in the second leg semi-final clash as they bid to reach the Europa League final. The Gunners travel to Spain next week for the second leg after winning the first leg 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
Arsenal, Chelsea in strong positions in Europa League semis
Baihakki Khaizan is eager to get reacquainted with former national teammate Noh Alam Shah who has been brought in as player mentor for the Singapore Lions and reckons the latter "brings something to the team that has been missing for years."
'Bye, 'bye, Baihakki! - SPORTS247.MY | The Ultimate Malaysian
Geylang International hope to crash Albirex Niigata's title-winning party on Friday to be sure of finishing fourth in the S.League above Warriors FC.
Home United must be tactically wise against Albirex Niigata
0 comments:
Post a Comment