SPAIN: SOCCER: Manchester United and Villarreal go through into the last 16 of the Champions League, after their fourth successive goalless draw

Record ID: 751672

  • Title: SPAIN: SOCCER: Manchester United and Villarreal go through into the last 16 of the Champions League, after their fourth successive goalless draw
  • Date: 27th November 2008
  • Summary: VILLARREAL, VALENCIA, SPAIN (NOVEMBER 25, 2008) (REUTERS) MANCHESTER UNITED COACH SIR ALEX FERGUSON ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CLOSE OF FERGUSON FERGUSON AT START OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED COACH, SIR ALEX FERGUSON SAYING: "It's unusual for four games to end up 0-0. But I thought tonight we were the better, bigger threat in the game. The more strikes to goal. Better opportunities in the match. At the end of the day we are satisfied we are into the next phase and that's what you hope you can do right away when you go through the groups." CAMERAMAN JOURNALISTS LISTENING TO NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED COACH, SIR ALEX FERGUSON SAYING: "Well we have great regard for Lopez as a goal keeper. And tonight his save from Ronaldo in the first half was fantastic. A marvellous save. Fortunately most of the shots went to him, straight to his throat. So he had no problems with them. But that save from Ronaldo and that save from Ronaldo from the free kick and the save from Rooney in the second half. So there are three outstanding saves in the match and that's why the 0-0." JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE FERGUSON LEAVING CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE VILLARREAL COACH MANUEL PELLEGRINI ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VILLARREAL COACH, MANUEL PELLEGRINI SAYING: "We always said our objective was to qualify to the second round. We continue tied to Manchester, with the same score, And unfortunately we couldn't win tonight because we really felt the absence of our attacking players." PELLEGRINI AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VILLARREAL COACH, MANUEL PELLEGRINI SAYING: "I think the group has already been decided. Manchester is going to be first. I don't think they are going to lose points at home against Aalborg. Aalborg is already third even if they lose and Celtic wins. And the goal difference is in Aalborg's favour. And we are in second place. We will play the last game for the sake of playing." JOURNALIST DURING NEWS CONFERENCE PELLEGRINI LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 12th December 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA23GA5MI7MI7RHJNM5HPSVZX4V
  • Story Text: Holders Manchester United and Villarreal cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League with a game to spare on Tuesday (November 25,) after sharing their fourth successive goalless draw.
    The top two have nine points from five matches in Group E, four points ahead of AaB Aalborg who beat Celtic 2-1 in Denmark.
    Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson said he thought the team had been the better side despite the draw.
    "It's unusual for four games to end up 0-0. But I thought tonight we were the better, bigger threat in the game. The more strikes to goal. Better opportunities in the match. At the end of the day we are satisfied we are into the next phase and that's what you hope you can do right away when you go through the groups," said Ferguson.
    Villarreal's Diego Lopez was the busier goalkeeper, turning a Cristiano Ronaldo drive on to the bar in the first half and saving a Wayne Rooney volley at close quarters in the second.
    "Well we have great regard for Lopez as a goal keeper. And tonight his save from Ronaldo in the first half was fantastic. A marvellous save. Fortunately most of the shots went to him, straight to his throat. So he had no problems with them. But that save from Ronaldo and that save from Ronaldo from the free kick and the save from Rooney in the second half. So there are three outstanding saves in the match and that's why the 0-0," said the Manchester United coach.
    Left back Joan Capdevila of Villarreal was sent off eight minutes from time for a dangerous high tackle on Ronaldo.
    It was a straight red card and United manager Alex Ferguson, who had spoken before the match of Ronaldo's need for protection from rough defenders
    Ferguson added that Villarreal, who also drew 0-0 with United in September and twice more at the same stage of the 2005-06 Champions League, looked happy to soak up pressure knowing a draw would be enough to progress.
    The visitors were twice caught offside in early attacks, one of which ended with Rooney putting the ball in the net.
    United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak made his first save from Santi Cazorla at the near post after a quarter of an hour.
    Four minutes before the interval Ronaldo received a layoff from Rooney outside the box and let fly with a stinging shot, Lopez plunging to his left to deflect the ball on to his bar.
    Lopez also dived to save at the base of his right post early in the second half after a free kick by Ronaldo, top scorer in the competition last season with eight goals but yet to open his account this campaign.
    United almost broke the deadlock 10 minutes from time when a low Rooney cross from the left was deflected towards goal and Capdevila headed off the line and over the bar.
    Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini said his team had achieved their objective.
    "We always said our objective was to qualify to the second round. We continue tied to Manchester, with the same score, And unfortunately we couldn't win tonight because we really felt the absence of our attacking players," said Pellegrini and added "I think the group has already been decided. Manchester is going to be first. I don't think they are going to lose points at home against Aalborg. Aalborg is already third even if they lose and Celtic wins. And the goal difference is in Aalborg's favour. And we are in second place. We will play the last game for the sake of playing."
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