Giggs determined to bounce back
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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Captain Ryan Giggs said "big teams have disappointments but they bounce back" after FC Barcelona outplayed Manchester United FC to deny the Red Devils a second successive UEFA Champions League triumph.
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Ryan Giggs said "big teams have disappointments but they bounce back" after FC Barcelona outplayed Manchester United FC to usurp the Red Devils as champions of Europe.
Bright start
United started strongly at the Stadio Olimpico and Cristiano Ronaldo had three attempts on goal before Samuel Eto'o broke the deadlock against the run of play in the tenth minute. "Barcelona scored out of nothing and we didn't really recover after that," said Giggs. "Once they go 1-0 ahead they are the best in the business at keeping the ball and they can make teams look ordinary. We had chances in the second half, and if one of those would have gone in it's a different game."
'Fantastic season'
Instead the second goal went to Lionel Messi, the impish Argentinian finding space behind the United defence to loop a head over Edwin van der Sar with 20 minutes to play. Sir Alex Ferguson said Barça were deserved winners and his captain agreed, adding: "All credit to Barcelona, they deserved it tonight. It's been a fantastic season with what we've achieved this year. We won three leagues on the trot but have just failed at the final hurdle here."
'Bounce back'
United travelled to Rome full of confidence, with the Premier League, League Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in the trophy cabinet, yet fell short in their attempt to become the first team since AC Milan 19 years ago to claim successive European crowns. "It's a very difficult trophy to win," said Giggs. "Big teams have disappointments but they bounce back. That is what we will be doing."
'High expecations'
Fellow midfielder Michael Carrick lamented the fact the English champions lost their 25-match unbeaten run in the competition at the most inopportune moment. "We came here with high expectations but it hasn't worked out for us," he said. "We've gone unbeaten in this competition for two years and sadly it has come to an end on the wrong night, but I think we can be proud of what we achieved the last couple of years. We will go again in this competition, that's what we're here for."
