"Typical Germans" not really to blame Mr. Ferguson

Alex Ferguson's post-match interview after his side crashed out of the Champion's League would lead one to believe that Manchester United were cheated out of progression by Bayern. If you look at the incident that saw Rafael got his second booking it's quite clear that the young Brazilian's stupidity has got him sent off more than anything else. Already on a yellow card, the full-back pulls Ribery back, preventing any forward progress for the Frenchman. In anyone's book, as soft as it may appear, that offence is a yellow card. Yes the Bayern players do make it clear to the referee that the full-back is on a yellow card already but even still, the naivety of Rafael is clear for all to see. Why he so blatantly pulls on Ribery is beyond me, and he was already playing a high-risk game. In the first half after he was booked he was throwing himself into tackles all over the pitch, all of them fair where he won the ball it must be said but if any were mistimed he would have been gone quicker.

The red card was a turning point in the game but it also must be said that Bayern were growing into the game and looking like they could have scored regardless of the sending off. The secodn half was a lot more open than the first and Bayern's dangerous wide men Robben and Ribery, who had both been handled well by the United back four, were coming into the game more and more. The second half also saw Bayern begin to control the midfield. Van Bommel and Schweinsteiger started to pull the strings in the middle of the park. Of course with all the talk surrounding Ferguson's post-match comments, the wonder goal scored by Robben has been somewhat overlooked. The technical ability shown by the Dutch winger to control his volley was nothing short of sensational and was a goal certainly worthy of sending his side through.