Carlo Ancelotti and Sir Alex Ferguson meet this Sunday for what could be the title decider, with the race opening up at the final furlong.
And these big-name managers have history when it comes to epic match-ups.
As they enter a game that may be vital for each of their reputations, we look back at five thrilling clashes between the two titans.
Trophy hunters: Managers Sir Alex Ferguson
Juventus 2 Manchester United 3; agg 3-4
(Champions League semi-final, second leg, April 1999)
After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Ancelotti's Juventus looked set to do him proud in his first season at the club, steaming ahead with two early goals from Filippo Inzaghi in the second leg. But Ferguson's men came powering back through Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke, and Andy Cole to boost United en-route to their Treble-clinching victory against Bayern Munich.
AC Milan 3 Manchester United 0; agg: 5-3
(Champions League semi-final, second leg, May 2007)
Ancelotti may have felt nervous ahead of another Champions League semi-final run-in with Fergie, especially with Milan trailing 3-2 after the first leg. But the Italian had far more luck than eight years earlier. Ferguson's men had no reply to goals from Kaka, Clarence Seedorf and Alberto Gilardino, and the Milan manager lived out United's dreams by going on to win the final 2-1 over Liverpool.
One night in Turin: United celebrate their memorable victory over Juventus
Manchester United 2 Chelsea 2 (Chelsea won 4-1 on penalties)
(FA Community Shield, August 2009)
In a thrilling encounter following Ancelotti's arrival on British shores, Nani opened the scoring for United but Ricardo Carvalho made it even just after the interval. Frank Lampard struck a bitterly disputed goal when Patrice Evra was injured, only for Wayne Rooney to equalise in injury time. But it wasn't enough. Ryan Giggs and Evra both had penalties saved, with only Michael Carrick firing home for United, and Salomon Kalou's penalty sealed the victory and a trophy for the new Chelsea boss.
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0
(Premier League, November 2009)
Ferguson and Ancelotti linked arms on their way to the dug-out before the match, but their friendship was tested when John Terry's header from a Frank Lampard free-kick put Chelsea five points ahead of United. It was the Blues' 10th straight home win of the season, and they had not let in one goal at Stamford Bridge since the campaign began. Wayne Rooney twice went close in an excellent display from United, but Chelsea prevailed, as they did in the race to the title.
Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1 (agg 3-1)
(Champions League quarter-final, second leg, April 2011)
United's big dreams took flight last month, largely thanks to Ancelotti's error in playing his struggling £50million signing Fernando Torres instead of Didier Drogba. Ferguson's side were one goal up after the first leg, and Javier Hernandez doubled that just before half-time. Drogba pulled one back for Chelsea when he came on after the break, but Ancelotti was a man down after Ramires had been sent off for a foul on Nani and Park Ji-sung was able to add another for United, confirming Fergie's dominance.
-thanx to dailymail.co.uk
Hahaha..best gak tengok pertarungan EPIK antara Sir Alex dgn Ancelotti ni..!! Yang paling BEST of course la semifinal '99 yg mana Man Utd menang 3-2 kat Turin..and yg KEDUA lak baru jer terjadi last month!! Man Utd knocked Chelsea out of Champion League tu..yg menang agregat 3-1!! Memang EPIK sungguh la..korang ingat lagi tak yek?? GGMU...
No comments:
Post a Comment