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Champions League: United’s Ronaldo vows to score in the second leg against Barcelona
Thu. April 24, 2008 05:15 am.- By Bonny Apunyu. -
(SomaliNet) After missing a penalty in the 0-0 first-leg draw at the Nou Camp, Cristiano Ronaldo vowed to score in the second leg of Manchester United's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
The Portugal international failed to notch his 39th goal of the season on Wednesday night but is determined to make amends on Tuesday.
:"I didn't change. I scored a few penalties in that side but today I didn't score - no problem Ronald said Insisting he did not alter his penalty-taking technique.
"Now I'm going to score in Manchester."
Ronaldo also claimed that he should have been awarded a second penalty later in the first half when he was bundled over by Rafael Marquez.
He said: "I think he touched me. But the referee didn't give a penalty. I don't know why, I don't understand."
As for the contest itself, Ronaldo said: "It was a tough game. Barcelona played very well, they kept the ball a lot. But I think we defended well. We played well as well. 0-0 is a good result."
"They kept the ball a lot but they didn't create great chances.
"We created more chances than Barcelona."
Of the second leg, he said: "Now, we're playing at home. I think we're going to win."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to blame Ronaldo for his side's failure to score an away goal.
The Scot revealed he thought the winger would score, but added: "He's a bit unlucky. Maybe it's come too early."
Of the second penalty incident, he said: "You're doing well to get one penalty kick. To ask for another one... I wasn't surprised."
Ferguson was pleased with his side's defending but felt they could have created more at the other end.
Describing United's performance as "professional", he said: "We sealed off the areas where teams don't normally do well against Barcelona.
"They didn't make a lot of chances. Our concentration defending the space was very good.
"We should have done better with our possession. We had opportunities to counter-attack and gave the ball away too easily."
But he added: "0-0 gives us a marvellous chance."
Ferguson singled out midfielder Paul Scholes, making his 100th Champions League appearance, for special praise.
"I thought he was one of our best players. His reading of the play outside the box was terrific. His interceptions were marvellous and he never gave the ball away."
Barca striker Samuel Eto'o said his team were disappointed at failing to press home their advantage but he was confident they would be able to get an away goal at Old Trafford.
"It was a shame not to score at home but we are capable of scoring at any ground and we can do it in Manchester too," the Cameroon international said.
Coach Frank Rijkaard agreed and said the tie remained delicately poised.
"It was an evenly balanced game," said the Dutchman. "The team played well and didn't give them too many chances."
"We wanted a win but on the other hand the tie is still open and they know we are capable of scoring a goal away from home.
"In terms of football it wasn't our best game but the team played well and the fans responded to that. It isn't a good result but it is going to be hard for them."-Reuters
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