Barca 99: Dancing with Tears in Red Eyes! Part One of Two

The time was way past midnight when the last light was dimmed in the Nou Comp. High above the Barcelona skies glittered with stars. Across the city riotous celebrations occurred. The unmistakable tones of Mancunian accents rang out in tribute to the memory of the man acknowledged universally as the father of their football club. For 26th May was the birthday of Sir Matt Busby and in his honour thousands of bleary eyed, drunken ecstatic United fans sung boisterous renditions of 'Happy Birthday' to Sir Matt. Many were convinced it was divine intervention on his part that finally brought the Germans to their knees. For make no mistake, that night in the Nou Comp a footballing miracle occurred.

'We'll score over there; there is no question about that'. If Alex Ferguson was concerned that his team had only managed to draw 1-1 at home to Juventus in the European cup semi-final first leg he was doing a grand job of hiding it. In the post- match press conference Ferguson exuded confidence. The Italian journalists appeared non-plussed at the United manager's attitude. He puzzled them?

After seeing Juve serve the Mancunians a footballing master class they had expected the Scot to be at least a little down. Far from it, the man from Govan was shrewd enough to send out the right type of message to both his players and opponents. Ryan Giggs'last gasp equalising volley from close range had almost ripped the Old Trafford roof off as the stadium erupted with relief. An exasperated crowd watched on frustrated for the first hour as Didier Deschamps, Zinidane Zidane and Edgar Davids ran United's much vaunted midfield ragged. Their movement exhilarating and deadly.

The general consensus before the game was Juventus were ripe for the taking. Well nobody bothered to inform their players for 'The Old Lady' came to Manchester and in the opening half outclassed the home team. Antonio Conte gave them a well deserved lead at the break: scant reward for their total superiority. Ferguson appeared a man deep in thought as headed off towards the tunnel at half time. His team were being overrun. In an effort to stem the black/white tide he moved wide-man David Beckham into a central position alongside Roy Keane.

United appeared for the second half on fire. In typical, swashbuckling style they stormed forward. But Juve continued to hold them at arms length. Their great experience showing throughout. It was only after a Teddy Sheringham header was controversially disallowed that a breakthrough finally came. With time almost up Giggs lashed home a Beckham lob from eight yards. 1-1, but would it be enough? The Italian goal-scorer Conte claimed afterwards that the tie was already over. 'Manchester United must accept that we are the better team and that it will be 'The Old Lady' who go to Barcelona for the final'.

Dangerous words considering their opponents. For this was team whom had shown throughout the season that they never gave in. Ferguson's newly appointed right hand man Steve McClaren had commented, 'This United team are never beat, they just run out of time'. Never more was this exemplified than a recent FA Cup tie against bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. United were trailing at Old Trafford to an early Michael Owen header.

After laying siege for almost the entire game without success it appeared to be Liverpool's day. Then with only moments remaining Dwight Yorke struck from close range to level and surely set up a replay down the East lancs in a seething Anfield bear pit. But then again maybe not for as the referee glanced at his watch, substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took aim and from twelve yards broke Scouse hearts to electrify a frenzied Old Trafford. Solskjaer was the substitute from heaven, utterly capable of scoring from anywhere. At anytime.

Whilst events in the European cup first leg had unfolded at Old Trafford, far away to the east in Ukraine, Bayern Munich launched a resilient comeback against a formidable Dinamo Kiev team to grab a precious 3-3 draw. Coming from 3-1 down Bayern resembled a team on a mission as they clawed back the Ukrainians' lead. After such a courageous performance the Germans became convinced their name was already ensconced upon the trophy and prepared to finish off Kiev on Bavarian home ground.

Now all thoughts turned to the Stella delle Alpi in Turin and the return game against Juventus. But before United partook in yet another epic FA cup classic, this time against another of their fierce domestic rivals. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. After a drab 0-0 draw at Villa Park battle recommenced four days later in what turned out to be one of the great footballing occasions. On an unforgettable evening of epic drama and passion United edged past the Gunners in extra time with arguably the finest ever FA Cup goal.

With Ferguson's team reduced to ten men after the dismissal of Captain Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs set off on a mazy run that saw him slice through the legendary Arsenal rearguard and fire an astonishing rising shot past David Seaman. The young Welshman's celebrations were equally memorable as he tore off his shirt and swirled it above his head before disappearing amidst an invasion of United supporters on the pitch. Giggs even recognising old school friends amongst them. All this after United goalkeeper Peter Schmerichel had saved a Denis Bergkamp last minute penalty!

At the final whistle the United hordes again came onto the field to raise high their heroes. Suddenly a remarkable treble loomed large although Alex Ferguson refused even to contemplate such talk, for he knew well the pitfalls that still lay ahead. A season that promised untold glory still possessed the potential for heartache and humiliation. The league title with Arsenal would be a last day shootout, whilst an FA Cup final against Newcastle still awaited. As for the European Cup, Juventus on home soil were ready to end United's interest in that competition. This was not a season nearing its end. It was just beginning.

In his ten years as Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson never ceased to be amazed at how difficult his club made life for themselves. The early stages in Turin proving again Ferguson's point. With only eleven minutes showing on the Stella delle Alpi electronic scoreboard, Juve had struck like lightning, not once but twice to lead 3-1 on aggregate. Amidst a blazing red mist of raging flares and thundering smoke bombs the Italian supporters went wild. It had taken only six minutes for Zidane to curl in a wickedly deceptive cross for his centre-forward Inzaghi to sweep home from six yards. Worse followed moments later for the visitors when Davids fed the on-fire Inzaghi, whose shot took a frightful deflection off Jaap Stam to beat a helpless Schmeichel. Barring a miracle Manchester United were out.

As the Italians celebrated and already planning travel arrangements for Barcelona, United fought back. This team moulded in its managers' image shook off their horrendous start and in search of salvation poured forward. Juve appeared content to defend and strike on the break, for one more would have surely killed the game stone dead. Another goal was shortly forthcoming but it came for Manchester United. A Beckham corner headed in by a flying Roy Keane that flew past goalkeeper Peruzzi. A Captain's leap by the Irishman making it 2-1 and game on.

By now Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were terrorising the Juventus defence with their inter-passing, and lightning movement. On thirty four minutes United deservedly equalised. A typically devastating combination between the two United strikers saw Yorke smash a crashing header into the net to send the thousands of travelling Mancunians ecstatic. Now the cards were stacked in Manchester United's favour. If the score remained 2-2 it would be Fergusons' team heading to Barcelona on away goals.

As half-time approached Dwight Yorke almost scored again, only for his effort to rebound off the post. Then disaster for United when Roy Keane was booked for an innocuous looking challenge on an over-acting Zidane. This meant a suspension for their Captain, if his team made it to the final. Such adversity only served to fuel Keane's desired to ensure that situation would arise as his performance that evening rightly entered Manchester United folklore.

The interval came, went and still United charged at a wilting home defence. Many could hardly bare to watch as defender Denis Irwin marauded forward and crashed a low drive against the inside of Peruzzi's post. Sadly more misery transpired for a United player when substitute Paul Scholes was booked for a clumsy tackle that meant he too would be suspended if they reached the Nou Comp. It had been a courageous and hugely skilful performance by the Manchester men and they received just reward four minutes from time. Again Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke combined brilliantly to bypass the bedraggled Juve rearguard.

As Yorke ran clear he was dragged blatantly down by Peruzzi who watched in horror as the ball fell to Cole who coolly finished off. For the first time in thirty one years 'The Old Lady' had been defeated on home soil in the European Cup. Manchester United were back in a European Cup final. Not since 1968 had the club managed to reach such a peak and the celebrations that followed the final whistle in Turin would live long in the memory. The United players raced across to salute the thousands whom had travelled from Manchester to roar them home.

The chants of ' Keano Keano' roared out in praise of their beloved Captain whom though falling on his own sword had produced a performance unmatched by any United player since. Sadly Roy Keane would be absent when his team-mates strove to bring back to Old Trafford the most coveted of trophies. One that had saw this club give blood. Literally. A full hour after the match finished the United supporters remained locked in the ground singing and dancing for all their worth. Many unable to comprehended the manner of their team's victory. Surely it couldn't get any better?

Their loud pleas for Alex Ferguson to reappear and take a bow were finally heeded when the Scotsman strode across the Turin turf to applaud their magnificent backing. It was an inspiring moment and a fitting way to conclude a magnificent evening for all concerned with Manchester United football club. History beckoned in the hills of Catalonia.

Courtesy of a Mario Basler wonder strike and a superlative Oliver Kahn goalkeeping display, Bayern Munich survived by the skin of their imperial teeth the wrath of a rampaging Dinamo Kiev. On three occasions Kahn's bravery prevented certain goals as Kiev's wonderful attacking duo of Shevchenko and Rebrov repeatedly carved open the German defence. The final whistle was greeted with huge relief by the Bayern supporters whom throughout the match kept one eye on the scoreboard as the giant electronic screen flashed up the ever changing scorelines from Turin. Looks of incredulity and indeed admiration were etched on German faces as Manchester United fought tooth and nail to stay in the European Cup.

Bayern Munich and United had already faced each other in the opening qualifying group. After a hugely entertaining 2-2 draw in Bavaria the return game at Old Trafford ended in utter farce when with ten minutes remaining and the scores level, word from elsewhere reached that a point apiece would see both safely through. Hardly surprisingly the match finished 1-1 and as Alex Ferguson and Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld left the field Hitzfeld remarked to Ferguson, half joking/serious that 'He would see him in the final'. Prophetic words.

With their place in the European Cup final assured Manchester United concentrated on wrapping up domestic matters. The Premiership title was clinched with a victory over Spurs at Old Trafford on the final day of the season. Once more Roy Keane raised the gleaming trophy in front of a delighted home crowd. Peter Schmeichel addressed the United supporters. For the big Dane it was to be his last appearance at Old Trafford for Manchester United. His final two games were to be against Newcastle at Wembley in the FA Cup final and in Barcelona. A fine way for United's greatest ever goalkeeper to bow out after a wonderful career.

One week later Schmeichel enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon as United put paid to a woeful Newcastle with astonishing ease. Their only black spot on an otherwise perfect day being an injury to Roy Keane. The Captain was forced off the pitch within the opening ten minutes but it mattered little as his teammates romped away with the cup, a 2-0 win little justice for their overwhelming superiority throughout. It was a hobbling United Captain who limped up the royal steps to lift yet another piece of silverware. The double had been won; a treble once deemed an impossibility suddenly within their grasp. All eyes now turned towards Barcelona, Bayern Munich and a date with destiny.