In the quarter-finals of the Champions League 2000, most of the fans noted this was a classic match between two giants of European football. But experts have a much more pragmatic perspective when putting Real to a lower level than Man.
John Carlin commented on the Independent as follows: “If the spirit, skill and the smoothness in the organization decides the outcome, Real Madrid simply has no door to remove MU from the Champions League”.
Carlin’s point is very clear: “If MU loses, forget all the logic in football”. The MU’s forces overwhelmed Real Madrid completely. Compared to the team that won the treble 1 year ago, MU is no longer Peter Schmeichel in the wooden frame.
The foursome of midfielders Beckham, Scholes, Keane and Giggs on that day of MU has grown into superstars. The pair Dwight Yorke – Andy Cole is still playing smoothly and eating well.
Since completing the winning frame at the beginning of the 1998/99 season, MU has been upstream from losing to draw or win in 31 matches. Eight times took place in the European arena, including 2 classic games against Juventus and Bayern Munich. “I don’t think this team will ever lose,” said MU assistant Steve McLaren that day.
In the first leg at the Bernabeu, MU drew Real 0-0. “We have too much respect for Real,” admitted Raimond van der Gouw. MU then played moderately and could not finish Real right on the Bernabeu.
The leader and the best of MU, Roy Keane, was the first to be enchanted. In the 20th minute, Keane scored an own goal after the cross line on the right. In the remainder of the first half, MU attacked but it was impossible to score. Real still plays leisurely under the talented director of Redondo.