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Villarreal 0 - Manchester United 0 Villarreal: Viera;
Kromkamp, Quique Alvarez, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Arruabarrena; Héctor
Font (Roger 70'), Marcos Senna, Josico (Tacchinardi 46'), Sorín; Guayre
(Figueroa 65'), Diego Forlán. 4-4-2. Goals: None. A good debut for Villarreal in the Champions League, although in the end they could only share the points in a 0-0 draw with Manchester United. Missing the inspirational Riquelme through injury, Pellegrini gave a start to Guayre and Font and also drafted in new keeper Viera. And they were all in action early on, Guayre coming close with a long shot, Viera saving from a Silvestre header and Font putting through Diego Forlán only for him to lose out in a challenge from Ferdinand. The best chance for the Spaniards in the first half though fell to Arruabarrena after Sorín flicked on Guayre's cross, Van der Sar flinging himself to his left to keep out the full back's shot. But in the end they were lucky not to be behind at the interval, Gonzalo Rodríguez somehow hooking the ball off the line as Van Nistelrooy closed in on a ball which Viera spilled following a free kick. Forlán had a chance to score against his old side soon after the restart but shot just wide, but after that the visitors pushed forward, Viera saving at the feet of Van Nistelrooy and Rooney shooting just wide. But soon afterwards Rooney got himself sent off in the most stupid possible way, picking up a second yellow card after applauding in the face of referee Kim Nielsen after he had booked him for a foul on Quique Alvarez. After that Sorín shot straight at the keeper when free in front of goal, and substitute Roger (making his first appearance in many months) sent a long shot wide. And Marcos Senna almost won it in the dying minutes from a set piece free kick, his long shot being headed back by Ferdinand on to his own crossbar. In the end a good performance by the "Yellow Submarine", and on this display they should do well in the tournament. |
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