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Vidić relieved to pass test of nerves
Manchester United FC may have advanced to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League but goalscorer Nemanja Vidić admitted that nerves nearly got the better of them against FC Internazionale Milano.
Lost their wayVidić nodded the first of United's two goals as they secured a 2-0 aggregate win over the Italian champions on Wednesday but in between his fourth-minute opener and Cristiano Ronaldo's second four minutes after the restart, the home team lost their way and very nearly paid the price as Inter went close to equalising on several occasions.
'Got a little nervous'"We played well until we scored the goal," said Vidić, whose powerful header brought his sixth goal in all competitions this season. "After the goal we got a little bit nervous because we knew how important it was not to concede and Inter had two good chances to score in the first half that they didn't take. The manager didn't tell us to play defensively but we knew that if we lost a goal it would change everything and it is difficult against Italian teams because they are very good tactically. I think we played better in Milan as we didn't give them any chances there."
Key partnershipIf United were not at their best, they still managed to earn their sixth clean sheet of this European campaign – more than any other side in the competition – as they stretched their unbeaten run in the UEFA Champions League to a competition-record 21 matches. "There is a mentality here to win games," said Vidić, whose partnership with Rio Ferdinand has been a key factor in United's success this term. Besides a record-breaking run of shutouts in the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have conceded just three goals in eight games in Europe – two fewer than at this stage last year.
'Winning breeds confidence'Ferdinand felt United rode their luck against Inter, who struck the woodwork twice, but said they were confident of winning even when lacking their usual fluency. "In this kind of game you will have to ride your luck at times but when you have opportunities you have to take them and today for us we came through. We didn't play particularly well but I don't think we have any reason to fear anyone. We have won a lot of games since Christmas and winning breeds confidence. We are at a moment where, at times, we are not playing particularly well but getting results through sheer determination and a will to win." The statistics provide impressive support: United have won 14 and drawn two of their last 16 games – and one of those draws was their victory over Tottenham Hotspur FC on penalties in the League Cup final.
Lost their wayVidić nodded the first of United's two goals as they secured a 2-0 aggregate win over the Italian champions on Wednesday but in between his fourth-minute opener and Cristiano Ronaldo's second four minutes after the restart, the home team lost their way and very nearly paid the price as Inter went close to equalising on several occasions.
'Got a little nervous'"We played well until we scored the goal," said Vidić, whose powerful header brought his sixth goal in all competitions this season. "After the goal we got a little bit nervous because we knew how important it was not to concede and Inter had two good chances to score in the first half that they didn't take. The manager didn't tell us to play defensively but we knew that if we lost a goal it would change everything and it is difficult against Italian teams because they are very good tactically. I think we played better in Milan as we didn't give them any chances there."
Key partnershipIf United were not at their best, they still managed to earn their sixth clean sheet of this European campaign – more than any other side in the competition – as they stretched their unbeaten run in the UEFA Champions League to a competition-record 21 matches. "There is a mentality here to win games," said Vidić, whose partnership with Rio Ferdinand has been a key factor in United's success this term. Besides a record-breaking run of shutouts in the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have conceded just three goals in eight games in Europe – two fewer than at this stage last year.
'Winning breeds confidence'Ferdinand felt United rode their luck against Inter, who struck the woodwork twice, but said they were confident of winning even when lacking their usual fluency. "In this kind of game you will have to ride your luck at times but when you have opportunities you have to take them and today for us we came through. We didn't play particularly well but I don't think we have any reason to fear anyone. We have won a lot of games since Christmas and winning breeds confidence. We are at a moment where, at times, we are not playing particularly well but getting results through sheer determination and a will to win." The statistics provide impressive support: United have won 14 and drawn two of their last 16 games – and one of those draws was their victory over Tottenham Hotspur FC on penalties in the League Cup final.
