Fergie goes for goals against Bayern
Sir Alex Ferguson will send his side out looking for goals
when Manchester United visit Bayern Munich on
Tuesday.
Although Bayern represent possibly the Red Devils' most famous
opponents given they were the victims of that amazing Champions
League final smash-and-grab in Barcelona 11 years ago, it does
represent the only time the German giants have been beaten by
United.
Aside from two drawn matches in the group stage of the same
season's competition, Bayern have emerged victorious on two
occasions, one of which was due to a crucial away goal at Old
Trafford.
History suggests there will be little between the teams again in
their eagerly-awaited two-legged quarter-final, which is why
Ferguson believes any advantage that can be prised out of the
Allianz Arena this week could prove crucial.
"A score draw or win is all you can hope for," Ferguson told
MUTV.
"It would give us a good chance."
It is the same philosophy that served United so well in Milan
for the last round, when despite falling behind to Ronaldinho's
early goal, they maintained an attacking mentality and ultimately
scored three times to put the tie well beyond David Beckham and his
team-mates even before they were massacred at Old Trafford.
"We would like to equal our performance in Milan," he said.
"If we get the same kind of performance and result we would have
a massive advantage coming back to Old Trafford."
United will encounter a different team, which relies on the pace
of wing duo Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.
Both men are well known to Ferguson given he has looked often
enough at the former, especially in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's
departure, and thought he had got the latter until Chelsea stepped
in to snap him up in 2004.
Although Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended, with the likes of
Mark van Bommel, Philipp Lahm and Miroslav Klose in their squad,
Bayern are not opponents Ferguson intends to take lightly.
"The history of Bayern and our games against them in past
European ties tells you it is going to be a very difficult game,"
said Ferguson.
"It will be a fantastic atmosphere, in a great stadium, with a
good pitch.
"They are an experienced team. But hopefully we get everyone we
need fit and we will have a good chance."
With Ryan Giggs back after a broken arm, it seems Ferguson has
got his wish, particularly given he brushed off any fears about
Wayne Rooney's knee yesterday.
If fit, Rooney would almost certainly be called upon to occupy
the lone striker's role that suits both the player and his team so
well.
The energy of Park Ji-sung and Darren Fletcher will probably be
required as well, leaving Giggs to scrap it out for one of the
remaining slots which, amongst others, Michael Carrick is hoping to
fill.
"The fact we reached back-to-back finals got lost a little bit
last year because of the result against Barcelona in the final,"
said the England midfielder.
"Of course, that hurt us a lot.
"We are looking to bounce back and to make it three in a row
would be a great achievement."
