One Foot into the UEFA Champions League Final: Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona Secure First Leg Wins

Perhaps two of the world's most dominant teams have each secured one foot into the UEFA Champions League final, with Manchester United and FC Barcelona each securing 2 - 0 wins over FC Schalke 04 and Real Madrid respectively.

The first of the ties saw the Red Devils travel to Gelsenkirchen in Germany to face this season's Champions League surprise packet Schalke. In a very entertaining first half which saw Manchester United squander a number of chances to take the lead, the heroics of Schalke keeper and suppossed United target Manuel Neuer was the main talking point as the 23 year old made sure nothing went past his goal.


In the 66th minute the deadlock was finally broken as Wayne Rooney slipped through a nice through ball to veteran Ryan Giggs who slotted it home. Moments later, Rooney added himself to the scoresheet thanks to a Hernandez pass making the score 2 - 0.

Watch extended highlights of the Red Devils win here:



The second tie saw the third installment of the El Classico, as Real Madrid entertained heated rivals FC Barcelona. In typical Barcelona fashion, the first half possesion was mostly dominated by the Catalan men, forcing Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas to pull off a few saves from shots thanks to Xavi and David Villa.

An on-field scuffle between the two team soon ensured and eventually Real Madrid were forced to play the game with ten men as Pepe was given his marching orders (and oddly enough, Jose Pinto the Barcelona second keeper was also given a red card...)



With under 15 minutes left, Messi breached the Madrid defense and delivered a sublime hammer-blow slotting his 51st goal of the season, before skimming past three Madrid defenders to add to the scoreline in the 87th minute with a cool Messi style finish. Watch highlights of the game here:


szólj hozzá: RM 0-2 BAR - Highlights

The two wins see Manchester United and FC Barcelona with each one foot in Wembley in May, leaving both FC Schalke 04 and Real Madrid with a hugs mountain to climb.

By Marcel Abboud

Manuel Neuer, will he still be at Schalke next season?

Manuel Neuer (25) is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In fact many claim he is the second best, after Casillas. He is currently the captain of the German club FC Shalke 04, where he has been playing for almost 20 years! Over the last year there has been many rumours regarding a transfer for the German international. Manchester United and Bayern Munich are assumed to be his next employer, unless he wants to stay with Schalke in Gelsenkirchen.

Neuer has been playing for Shalke for many, many years going up the clubs youth ranks. In 2009 he won the UEFA European under- 21 football championship with the Germany national under-21 football team. But he’s real breakthrough did not com until the summer of 2010, during the world cup. He played every match for Germany in South Africa, except the bronze finale (due to illness).

Both Bayern Munich and Manchester United will be looking for a new goalkeeper this summer. Bayern and United are clubs with many resources. If they want, it should be possible for at least one of the clubs to seal a deal with Schalke and Neuer himself. At the moment it seems likely that he is on his way to the Allianz Arena to play for Bayern Munich.

So far Neuer has denied all rumours, however he has declared hat he has made a decision on his future. So one can only speculate.

I for one look forward to the summer transfer window.

Aksel Petter Spence