The bout between Real Madrid and Manchester United was one filled with highlight reel moments. Danny Welbeck's header off a corner kick will irk Madrid fans for coming weeks; the numerous saves from Manchester United keeper David de Gea will likely loom even larger. However, the play that has already etched itself in the collective consciousness is the header goal from Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
With Madrid down 1-0 in the 30th minute, Ronaldo jumped at an Angel Di Maria cross and headed it past David de Gea. Manchester boss Sir Alex Ferguson commented on the play after the match. "I said to Patrice Evra at half-time, 'why didn't you challenge him?' and then I saw the replays," Ferguson said. "It was then that I thought, 'what was I talking about?'
He added, "I felt a bit stupid because, on the replay, Cristiano's knee is about as high as Evra's head - phenomenal."
Ronaldo did not comment much on his own goal though he did not celebrate it. "I didn't celebrate the goal because Old Trafford is a home where I played for six years, and I arrived there as almost a kid...It's not about not celebrating. I want to win but I respect the people of Manchester," said the Portuguese superstar.
He added, "If I left Madrid for another team one day, I would not celebrate against Real...It was beautiful and emotional to play against my family."
Regarding the result, Ronaldo added, "This 1-1 is not perfect but it's a good result. It was a good game. United are a very good team defensively and created a few problems for us."
He added, "But I believe Real played better and we deserved to score one or two more goals."
"We shouldn't change the plan we have because we always have the initiative and we will try to win at Old Trafford."
According to UK Publication The Sun, the result does not favor Madrid as the Spanish titans have never won a knockout tie in European competition after drawing 1-1 at the Bernabeu in the first leg.
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