Besiktas 0-1 United

I dont know why games in Turkey are always tough. It is probably the "alien" surroundings - probably the crowd getting behind the home teams. It is probably because the Turks will throw themselves at you and truly have it in them to put up a fight even when the opponent is much stronger on paper (Remember all the drama and late action in the Turkey games in the Euro?).

Whatever be the reason, big clubs are always out of their comfort zone and look scrappy and unsure of themselves when playing in Turkey. Today United was no different. I saw only the second half. And even though they didn't do anything wrong, things just weren't clicking for them. Its not that the Turks were playing great football but somehow they were preventing their opponents from doing so either.

As the game remained goalless for quite a while, United did look pressurized. It was up to them to take the attack to the opposition. They needed the 3 points out of this game because on paper this was the weakest team in the group. Wolfsburg is an unknown quantity but we have seen again today that they can do some damage (The Wolfsburgs-CSKA game ended 3-1 for the Germans). And playing in Luzhniki (fond memories as it may bring) might not be that easy also.

So it was sort of a sigh of relief when Scholes finally headed it in with 13 minutes to go. The goal was as scrappy as the whole game had been. It started with Owen finding Nani in a bit of space at the edge of the penalty box. Nani did well to dummy the defender and get a powerful shot on goal. The goalkeeper could only get his hand in the way of the shot and the ball lobbed up inside the box. Scholes got his head to it first and directed it inside the post. Not the prettiest of goals but phew!

At the end of the day, another 1-0 victory on a day when United played way below their best. Spekaing of 1-0 wins, many people find United's game to be boring primarily because 1-0 wins are so common (and so frustrating for the rivals). They say its not exciting and thrilling and goals dont fly in every couple of minutes. They say the flamboyance and skill is missing. (And may I add these comments come mostly from supporters of a club that has arses everywhere - the name of the club, the manager, one of their main goal-scorer - everywhere...).

Anyway, I will say a couple of things in this regard. Firstly, football is not only about goals. Defense is also vital. (It is like saying cricket is all about battinig and batsman hitting a six is more commendable than a bowler bowling a maiden). A good attacking force can win you matches, but to win championships you need a good defense. And no wonder the arse-club complains so much. They have never really understood this aspect of the game (which is probably why they have won only 3 championships in the last 17 years compared to United's 11). While they invest all their efforts in their attack and have a considerable pride in their ability to create such amazing, crafty goals, they never really get anywhere in the league because probably Old Drunken Boys F.C. has a better defense than them. So they might play supergood on one day and put half-a-dozen past a decent team, but they next week they will lose to a pretty weak team. Consistency - thats the word.

Secondly, I must say that on most seasons including last season, United scores the same number of goals if not more than the aforementioned club. On their good days both clubs are capable of routing the opponents with 5-0 victories. But the difference lies of off-days. While they will lose 0-3, United will still win 1-0 even by playing crappy football. Thats exactly what happened today.