The UEFA Champions League continued on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 with Manchester United v VfL Wolfsburg. Here’s a recap and video highlights of that match.
Manchester United beats VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 – Video Highlights
Man U came into the match the favorites playing at Old Trafford but VfL Wolfsburg were a formidable opponent. The German Bundesliga team are the reigning champions in that league and would give Man U a touhg match.
The first half began slowly with no scoring for most of it. Both teams got chances in the match but neither could convert. Possession was in Man U’s favor but it was by no means a dominating performance. The first goal could have come from either. Berbatov struggled for Man U as he had one great chance in the 35th minute but his pass to setup a teammate was off the mark. The reason Berbatov was in the match because Michael Owen left in the first half with an injury.
As the first half neared its end, Man U really began putting some pressure on the Wolfsburg defense. United couldn’t find the back of the net despite having some good chances and it finished at 0-0 after 45 minutes.
The first half saw Man U come out with chances but unable to convert. Wolfsburg would take advantage as Dzeko headed the ball into the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. It was a shocked Old Trafford as Man U were clearly the better team up to this point.
It was now 30 minutes to go with Man U down 0-1. Only a few minutes later, Ryan Giggs would find the equalizer to make it 1-1. Giggs took a free kick just outside the box that took a deflection and went to the far corner to beat the goalkeeper. It was a bit of a lucky break for the home side but nevertheless it was now tied.
The goal by Giggs immediately gave a lift to the crowd and team as Rooney nearly scored in the 62nd minute as a shot just went high of the crossbar. The match started to open up as both teams looked for the next goal. Man U continued to have most of the possession but Wolfsburg still had a few chances.
Some great passing from Manchester United would finally give them the lead late in the 2nd half. Giggs laid the ball off to Carrick who hit a great shot to the upper far corner to beat the goalkeeper and make it 2-1.
Manchester United never really stopped attacking in the second half. Wolfsburg did threaten in the final seconds with a corner kick but United defended it well and the matched ended at 2-1.
| MATCH STATS | ||
| Manchester United | VfL Wolfsburg | |
| Shots (on Goal) | 18(8) | 12(2) |
| Fouls | 10 | 13 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 5 |
| Offsides | 8 | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 57% | 44% |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Saves | 1 | 6 |
| SCORING SUMMARY | |
| Manchester United | VfL Wolfsburg |
| Ryan Giggs (59) | Edin Dzeko (55) |
| Michael Carrick (78) | |
Giggs is killer, still going strong. Evenly matched game, but i was glad to see United come out on top.