Beckham’s Heroics Lead Manchester
Making full use of the kicking techniques learned in recent days from Coach Alex Ferguson, David Beckham on Wednesday provided two perfect passes, both leading to goals, as Manchester United defeated Juventus, 2-1.
The match was one of four European Champions League games that drew a combined crowd of 227,762, with 66,703 of them showing up at Old Trafford in Manchester to see how the ongoing Ferguson-Beckham drama would unfold.
According to the coach, Beckham’s inclusion in the starting lineup was never in doubt, the cut above his eye accidentally inflicted by Ferguson in a locker room burst of temper in no way hampering the England midfielder.
“Why did you think he would not be picked?” Ferguson asked reporters afterward. “You misunderstand. My best team picks itself.”
Beckham picked out Wes Brown with a pass in the fourth minute and Brown put United ahead. Five minutes from the end, Beckham repeated the feat, this time finding Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the Dutchman doubled Manchester’s advantage.
Juventus, missing six starters because of flu or injury, got a consolation goal from Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved two minutes into stoppage time.
Manchester United needs only to tie one of its remaining three games to clinch a place in the quarterfinals.
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Maldini Ties Record
While one Italian club was losing in England, another was winning in Italy. AC Milan, spurred on by a restive crowd of 72,028 at the San Siro, was unconvincing but edged Lokomotiv Moscow, 1-0, on a 62nd-minute goal by Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson after Filippo Inzaghi’s initial shot had been blocked.
“At times we played well, but it was a tricky match for us,” said AC Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“We need to play with a higher tempo.”
Former Italy national team defender Paolo Maldini started the match for AC Milan and thereby tied former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi’s Italian record of 117 games in European competition.
Maldini, 35, who made his debut for AC Milan in 1985, can break the mark in the team’s next Champions League encounter, also against Lokomotiv, in Russia on Tuesday.
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Ronaldo Saves Real
Defending champion Real Madrid, going through a lean time in the Spanish league, came from behind at home to defeat Borussia Dortmund in front of 60,000 at Santiago Bernebeau stadium and thus revived its hopes of remaining Europe’s top team.
Czech striker Jan Koller gave the German champions the lead in the 30th minute, but Raul tied the score just before halftime and Ronaldo scored the game-winner in the 56th minute with his first Champions League goal for Real Madrid.
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Basel Flying High
Unheralded Swiss club Basel remained in contention for a place in the final eight by shutting out Deportivo Coruna of Spain, 1-0, in Switzerland, with midfielder Hakan Yakin scoring the only goal on a 25-yard shot.
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A Win for Cruz Azul
After tying five and losing one of its first six games in the Mexican league season and also losing its first Copa Libertadores game, away to Corinthians of Brazil, Cruz Azul finally has a victory.
The Mexican team defeated The Strongest of Boliva, 3-2, in Mexico City on Tuesday night, with Uruguayan striker Sebastian Abreu scoring two of the goals and Daniel Baldi the other.
