SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-CSK-MNU/NEWS CONFERENCE Van Gaal happy with point as United held to CSKA draw

Record ID: 135228

  • Title: SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-CSK-MNU/NEWS CONFERENCE Van Gaal happy with point as United held to CSKA draw
  • Date: 21st October 2015
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (OCTOBER 21, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MEDIA NEWS CONFERENCE BEGINNING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED COACH, LOUIS VAN GAAL, SAYING: "In the first half we could not play in a higher tempo because it was too slow in my opinion and that is what I have said in halftime, that we have to improve in switching also, the game, from side to side, and that w
  • Embargoed: 5th November 2015 12:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAZXPLAZ06P8A69P4EB966D1SU
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was happy after his team fought back from a goal down to secure a point against Champions League rivals CSKA on Wednesday (October 21) in Moscow.
    CSKA's Seydou Doumbia scored first when a penalty bounced off goalkeeper David de Gea's legs in the 15th minute.
    Manchester United's Anthony Martial headed in a cross in the 65th minute to equalise.
    And van Gaal said his team needed to improve in the second half after a sluggish start.
    "In the first half we could not play in a higher tempo because it was too slow in my opinion and that is what I have said in halftime, that we have to improve in switching also, the game, from side to side, and that we have done in the second half better than in the first half, and in the second half we have created also more chances. We could have won I think but at the end I think it is a deserved draw," he said.
    Van Gaal added that he thought Manchester United were on schedule to qualify from Group B.
    "I know that we have now two home matches and you can say that we are at home very strong, so I hope that we can win these games then you are nearly qualified or you are already qualified. It depends on all the reports of course. But then we have still an away match against Wolfsburg, so, we are on schedule I think," he said.
    United were looking to improve on a disappointing run away from home in the UEFA Champions League proper, having lost their last three away games.
    CSKA, meanwhile were unbeaten at home in Europe this season, including their 3-2 Group B victory over PSV.
    CSKA coach Leonid Slutski said it was understandable there were problems in the second half.
    "If the first half was high quality and we achieved a lot and we can even expect more, then the second unfortunately there wasn't a counter attacking game. I think that first of all, regarding Eremenko and Dzagoev, it's well known they have problems because they feel tired, so it's natural that they make more mistakes. They were finding defending in the middle of the park increasingly difficult," he said.
    Manchester are now second in Group B behind Wolfsburg with CSKA third and PSV bottom.
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