One of the greatest matches in the history of the Champions League is the match between Real Madrid and Manchester United. As a fan of the Champions League, I still remember it very well. Right today, April 23, 17 years ago, Real Madrid striker from Brazil, Ronaldo Luiz Nazario De Lima, scored three stunning goals against Manchester United that were guarded by Fabien Barthez, at Old Trafford Stadium. It is said that Ronaldo was the first opponent to create a hat-trick at the Dream Theater against MU under the legendary Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Ronaldo himself said he would never forget that night.
The match was the 2003 Champions League quarter-final leg-2, led by referee Pierluigi Collina, a fierce referee from Italy. In leg-1 MU surrendered 1-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid. It is very hard to catch up on two goals from teams like Real Madrid, the defending champions filled with the best footballers: Zinedine Zidane, Luiz Figo, Raul, Roberto Carlos, and of course ll Fenomeno, Ronaldo, the star who brought Brazil to the 2002 World Cup.
But as long as MU is still being handled by Alex Ferguson, he is always optimistic in even the most difficult situations. They still believe they will hit back at Los Galacticos with the support of 70 thousand red devil fans. Many media and fans agree that MU opportunities are still wide open. The original plan had been arranged by Fergie, winning 2-0 without reply, so that winning goal away with agrerat 3-3. Very simple mathematics. But only minutes ’12, Fergie’s plans had fallen apart. Ronaldo’s first goal, started from a very tactical scheme.
At the edge of the midfield line, Zidane controlled the ball with the right skills to outwit two opposing players, then thrust at Guti who was free standing in the big circle of the field. Guti saw the MU defense off guard because it was eager to pursue a quick goal, immediately releasing measurable breakthrough bait between the two MU defenders, Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea.
Ronaldo, ran after him and tried to be intercepted by Rio Ferdinand, the most expensive defender in the English League. Rio is a fast defender, tough, and good at reading the game actually, but this time he was escorting Ronaldo. Rio missed a step or two and did not do a sliding tackle for such a position, giving Ronaldo some space to fire from 16 meters into Barthez’s goal.
Ronaldo dribbled the ball to the near post with a low flat shot that could bounce off the surface of the grass before nesting. Barthez, who was on standby, reacted but was only a fraction of a second late. Very quickly the goal process, just six seconds when the flow of the ball at Zidane’s feet to Guti and to Ronaldo, and it makes Old Trafford shocked, silent and amazed at Ronaldo’s deadly finishing. Ferguson shook his head while chewing candy with a red face in a sign of disappointment, as well as admiration.
MU far behind, 1-4. Fergie’s initial plan failed. His team now needs at least three goals to play extra-time. MU must win 4-1 that night. Once again, for Alex and MU fans, hope is still there, no matter how small. The match is still exciting and far from over.
We already know that the MU character can turn things around. Ruud van Nistelrooy evened the score before the interval, 2-4 agrerat. Two goals are still within the reach of MU squad, because there are still 45 minutes. The bitter part, Fergie’s second plan was again destroyed. In the ’50 minutes Ronaldo scored the second goal through a well-designed attack. Again, through the creation of Zidane, who plays one-two in the style of Play Station with Left Back Roberto Carlos.
Carlos feeds Zidane and Zizou with the genius feeds back Carlos who is already in the penalty box. Zizou’s bait is very classy, devastating MU. Eight MU players in the defensive line seemed dumbfounded watching the actions of Zidane and Carlos. Ronaldo with sharp instincts is ready to welcome the bait Carlos pulling assistance, he easily struck the ball in the mouth of the goal.
The score is 2-5. Big mountain to climb for MU because the next plan will be more difficult because they now need to score four goals without conceding again. Once again, Manchester United have not surrendered, then shortened the score due to Ivan Helguera’s own goal, 3-5. But not long ago, Ronaldo’s third goal in the ’60 minutes “ended” the game early. The third goal is also amazing. From the center of the pitch Luis Figo dribbled and then gave a close pass to Ronaldo, with his trademark whipping approaching the penalty box.
Strangely, MU survived too far back. From a distance of 25 meters and in front of four opposing players building walls, Ronaldo fired hard right foot sliding in the corner of the goal. I was so hard, the ball tore the net rolling out into the penalty box. A score of 3-6 is what makes players, Alex Ferguson and MU fans in the “end” make them feel “enough already”. Fergie breathed in, no more plans. The dream of winning the Champions League, where the final will be held at Old Trafford in May 2013, is buried by the monster Ronaldo – the phenomenon.
We only see David Beckham coming in as a substitute – with eyebrows from the stitches of Ferguson’s stray shoes. Becks last match with MU on the European stage. The same applies to Vicente Del Bosque, the Real Coach, with a different perspective, he claims that excellence is guaranteed, so it’s time to relax the tempo, and pull out Ronaldo by including Santiago Solari in the ’70th minute.
MU fans generously gave him a privilege by standing up and clapping to Il Fenomeno. As Ferguson said in his book, Alex Ferguson, My Autobiography: “MU fans can understand what is called talent.” After Ronaldo was pulled out, the rest of the game for about 20 minutes became cold and tasteless. Although MU could turn around 4-3 with two goals, the result of Beckham’s free kick and suicide Fernando Hierro.
Nobody remembers Manchester United’s victory at that time. Only Ronaldo’s hat-trick continues to be remembered. He was the most shining star of the night. UEFA on its official website gives two headings: First, Legendary Moments: Madrid’s Ronaldo earns standing ovation; Second, Magic Moment: Ronaldo hat-trick for Real Madric v Manchester United in 2003.
The impact of this fight was so great for European and English football especially. Still in his book, Fergie recounted: ‘The match was terrible, it was very crowded that night. It was a test of heart in the big game in Europe. And he said, Roman Abramovich, who was impressed with our 4-3 win, and also the Brazilian striker Ronaldo’s hat-trick, wanted to get involved in a global football drama and buy Chelsea. “
ASL
