Scholes puts the team
first
Paul Scholes will not let the possibility of missing a second
Champions League final cloud his approach to Wednesdays semi final
second leg clash with AC Milan at the San Siro.
The 32-year-old midfielder missed 1999s European final in
Barcelona through suspension. Now, one booking away from a
heartbreaking repeat of that scenario, everyone is hoping that,
should United overcome Milan, Scholes will be available to take on
either Liverpool or Chelsea in Athens.
But, for the straight-talking Salfordian, it is not an issue and he
is solely focused on getting United there above all else.
"I won't let the bookings situation bother me, he said. Its just
another game and another chance to get to a Champions League
final."
There is seemingly no time to be mawkish about his predicament. "I
don't think of it being more important to get through because of
what happened to me last time, he adds.
"It is a major tournament, one that every team in Europe wants to
be involved in. It still feels the same as the semi-final was in
1999. We all want to get there and we all want to win it if we
do."
The tolerance for Scholes self-confessed inability to slide-tackle
is met with distinctly different responses from referees at home
and abroad, which is why Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson has
specifically told Scholes not to dive in to challenges.
The advice to him is not to slide in, thats where he gets all his
bookings, said the Reds boss. In Europe, they dont accept it. If
he stays on his feet hell be OK. If anyone deserves it, its him.
Were all hoping that is the case.
Scholes, though, is focused on team duties rather than personal
interests.
"It will help having been there before," he said. "We know what we
are facing. What happened a couple of years ago in Milan was a big
disappointment. But the likes of Ronaldo and Rooney are a couple of
years older now.
"The goal we scored in the last minute of the first game certainly
gave us a boost and I suppose there is a possibility it might have
disheartened Milan a little bit.
"I can't really see that, though. It is going to be a very tough
game. I just hope we can do a bit better than we did last
time."
