Here’s what happened in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, in case you missed it…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Sevilla 0, Manchester United 0: Match report || Scoresheet
• Shakhtar Donetsk 2, AS Roma 1: Match report || Scoresheet
WHAT STOOD OUT
De Gea invaluable for Man United
The Paul Pogba soap opera continued Wednesday. Social media blew up about an hour before kickoff when Manchester United’s starting lineup was confirmed. The Frenchman was on the bench, his place in the starting 11 taken by Scott McTominay – and this coming on the heels of the Frenchman not playing in the FA Cup last weekend amidst reports of an ongoing feud between him and manager Jose Mourinho. Pogba ended up coming into Wednesday’s game in the 17th minute as an injury replacement for Ander Herrera.
The Pogba situation stole the headlines on this night in Seville, but the real story was David de Gea. The Spanish goalkeeper underlined why he – and not Pogba – is Manchester United’s most important player, coming up with a number of big stops to keep the Red Devils in the match, and in this Round of 16 aggregate series.
Sevilla swarmed Man United for most of the match, enjoyed the majority of possession, and created far more chances. De Gea was the difference, though, as he was called upon to make eight saves on the evening. His best, by far, came just before halftime as the hosts were surging. A dangerous cross played deep into the box found Sevilla’s Luis Muriel, who nodded it towards goal from inside the six-yard box. De Gea stood tall and calmly swatted away the Colombian forward’s effort. Moments earlier, de Gea denied Sevilla of another sure goal when he tipped Steven N’Zonzi’s header from in close over the crossbar.
Goalkeepers have the ability to help their teams steal results. That’s what de Gea did on Wednesday, like he’s done so many times before. Manchester United was dull and dire, and completely uninspired on this night. But they remain in the tie, and will head back to Old Trafford for the return match in a solid position to advance to the quarterfinals thanks to de Gea.
BEST GOAL OF THE DAY
Fred and fellow Brazilian Bernard stood over the ball in the 71st minute of the match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma, debating who will take the free kick. In the end, Fred won out, and it’s a good thing for Shakhtar that he did. Fred showed why so many of the top clubs from around Europe are lining up to sign him this summer when he laced an inch-perfect free kick from 22 yards out with his left foot that kissed the under-side of the crossbar and went past Roma goalkeeper Alisson.
BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY
It has to be de Gea’s save on Luis Muriel.
David De Gea. Best in the world. What a save. pic.twitter.com/9wE6wbDgHb
— Ryan. (@Vintage_Utd) February 21, 2018
BEST TWEET OF THE DAY
HE SAID IT
“After we conceded that first goal, I should’ve substituted half the team.” – AS Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco.
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
Statistically, it was pretty even between Shakhtar Donetsk and AS Roma. The difference for the Ukrainian side was a defensive miscue by Roma’s Alessandro Florenzi that Facundo Ferreyra pounced upon to bring the hosts into the game, before Fred’s fabulous winner.
BURNING QUESTION OF THE DAY
SIX PACK OF STATS
• English clubs are unbeaten in all eight meetings versus Spanish sides in the Champions League this season (two wins, six draws).
• Cengiz Under (at 20 years and 222 days) is the second youngest goalscorer for AS Roma in Champions League history after Antonio Cassano (20 years and 82 days).
• Manchester United has won only one of their last seven Champions League knockout games, (with three draw and three losses).
• Cengiz Under has been directly involved in six goals in his last four competitive appearances for AS Roma (five goals and one assist).
• Five of Manchester United’s last seven Champions League away matches in Spain have ended goalless.
• AS Roma have lost four of their five Champions League meetings against Shakhtar Donetsk (with one win).
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) David de Gea, Manchester United: The Spanish goalkeeper made eight saves, many of them spectacular, to help the Red Devils earn a goalless draw in Seville.
2) Fred, Shakhtar Donetsk: It was his sensational goal that won it for the home side to give them the edge going back to Italy.
3) Allison, AS Roma: The Brazilian goalkeeper was brilliant in a losing effort, making a number of big stops and providing a frantic Roma side with poise and steady presence.
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