Happy Vals day from Madrid with United..

There is a certain degree of awareness you always take to a different country. As the saying goes ..when in Rome,do as the Romans do....but other than blending in and acting like the locals,in sports you go to the oppositions territory knowing your strengths and using them in trying to win the game. The nature in which Manchester United went to Madrid was one of acceptance,knowing there were particular areas they couldn't match Real Madrid in,nevertheless,they went with no intention to blend in with the locals.

 
Jimmy Murphy (only coach to take Wales to the worldcup) told Sir Bobby Charlton that as a football player you represent your club and the fans,the fans come to watch you,putting aside their worries and issues for you to take that pain away.Win,draw or loose,they only want to know you tried your very best and you have 90mins to prove just that. Real Madrid were not out played by United  but United would be happy with their game plan. Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo scored against his old team but the united fans take pride in the fact that when he wore the red jersey,he was the worlds best player and not second best to Messi.
 
Mourinho described this game as a game the whole world was waiting to see and it certainly lived up to expectation. Matches like this was the reason that the small boy in RVP was screaming and shouting and Ronaldo against his old team mates added to the recipe of an already sweet meal. The match certainly lived up to its hype as both managers certainly went for the win. There was a high spread of tension as both fans kept holding their faces as the game went end to end but through it all Man United have taught  the world 3 very important lessons

 
1.Draw,win or loss...play your best.

On paper, Real Madrid had won the game. With the arsenal in terms of players they have anybody would have picked them to win. United showed strength in their defending and still took the game to Madrid .As a fan this is a performance you will be happy to see.

2.Recognise more than your role
 
Undeniably, there are certain players that can't and won't play beyond their role but in this case,every player was ready to put in their best. RVP was everywhere,defending very well and even had a couple of chances...in such occasions,you should recognize that you can do more than just what you are cut out for.

3.Pray your goal keeper has an A game.

There was sanctimonious joy for a lot of United fans knowing that Casillas was going to miss this fixture but Madrid acted quickly to find themselves an able replacement. He had some good saves and kept the game level. De Gea was outstanding and showed his critics there is more to him than pilfering a doughnut.

 
Before the game there was a lot of talk about Ronaldo and RVP. They certainly lived up to the talk but the two men most fans will remember especially Man United  fans will be Danny Welbeck and David de Gea. They kept the tie alive...and we all wait in anticipation for the 2nd leg...the song don't stop believing is still playing loudly...
 
For those of us that have no one to spend vals day with....united and madrid have shown us love,should last us till the 2nd leg...happy vals day.


In more words to come......Sabi Boi