Ferguson tales: 2008 Champions League Final – An English night in faraway Moscow

It was near the end of the 2008 season. Manchester United took a mind numbing 6-5 victory in sudden death to snatch the Champions League from the feet of those devastated men from Chelsea. Long years from now, it will be one of those celebrated moments that shall enrich the folklore around this storied football boss.

I was up late into the night – watching two of the finest clubs in the world kick a ball around on an under-prepared surface on a rainy night in faraway Moscow. That the circumstances of the game, the poor surface or the wet weather did little to dampen the spirits of the players or those watching the action is a richly deserved tribute to this great sport called football and a persevering manager called Sir Alex Ferguson. It was a triumphant night that adorns the old man’s crown like a spectacular ruby.

Sport is generous, yet unforgiving. And that special night mirrored the many faces of sport, as it unravelled itself in a thousand hues to fill the hearts of the many millions watching, even as it ripped open the hearts of those that dreamt of a Chelsea triumph.

The Champions League Final was a game to remember – two English clubs in a European final is a rarity despite the exemplary standards of the Premier League. One of the men at the head of the chariot was a Man United legend – already European Champion and a serial winner at home. The other man was a manager by default – Chelsea dismissed their much celebrated coach, Jose Mourinho earlier in the season. Man United has been there and done it before, for Chelsea though, this was their first visit to the summit clash. But Chelsea had the Man United number – they have beaten them more often than not.

The game started with a dominant United driving play and controlling the pace. Cristiano Ronaldo, in Manchester then, rose to the occasion literally, meeting the ball in the air and making no mistake. He had scored an astounding 42 times for his club that season; eight of them came in European matches. Would it be enough to clinch the deal?

Well, it looked exactly like that as United continued to dominate before dropping guard at the stroke of half-time. A terrible mistake in defence was preyed upon by Lampard as he slotted home the equaliser. Sport is uplifting, and Lampard was drawing all he can from the deep well. After losing his mother in April that year, he had his game to provide him peace and joy.

Chelsea walked out of the locker room invigorated and hopeful as they took the game to United in the second half. The English champions were forced to dance to the tunes of Chelsea as they started to compose the music. The tension was palpable, but neither team would find a decider.

Didier Drogba was all set to leave Chelsea, and if Abramovich was concerned about it, he would not be after that tardy night. First a fantastic shot from his magical right foot beat Van der Sar, only to meet the woodwork. He connected with his hand, as if to make up, slapping Nemanja Vidic in the second half of extra time. He was promptly sent off the pitch by the alert and understated referee.

It was an ugly mess as both teams jostled and jousted, with neither purpose nor piety. A red card and a couple of yellow cards did enough to inject some sense, even as the not-so-beautiful side of the sport was exposed to the witness and the waiting.

Lampard threatened to put Chelsea ahead at the very beginning of extra time, but ended up striking the crossbar. By now United were finding it tough to breathe as Chelsea suffocated their free flowing game, but they started to find their range as the game wound on. Ryan Giggs who came on in the 87th minute, overtook Bobby Charlton as the most capped United player ever. He came close to capping the occasion with a goal, but found Terry equal to the task on the goal line after beating Cech. What a pity. Giggs should have put that away.

With extra-time played out, this game had to be decided on a lottery. Such a shame these penalty kicks. And as it always turns out, the most prolific come a cropper in front of an open goal. Ronaldo missed the third and Chelsea could smell their medals, almost. John Terry, Chelsea’s brilliant leader, walked up to the spot knowing he was seconds away from handing his beloved club its first European triumph. He slipped, the ball went off target, and Ronaldo must have started breathing again.

As if lottery weren’t bad enough, we had to deal with a decision by sudden death. The first shots were converted and Ryan Giggs stepped up to take Man United’s second shot. He converted with the ease of a veteran and out came Nicolas Anelka. His shot was far more intelligent than Ronaldo – who had made an art out of missing penalties, with his almost stupid stop and start routine – but Van der Sar guessed right and made good with the save. United were European Champions yet again. It was a match to remember at the end of an unforgettable night of teasing and taunting football.

John Terry was gutted, Avram Grant did all he could to console his captain. But it was difficult to tell if the manager’s coat was wet from the tears or the rain. A few metres away there was another man lying flat on the ground and sobbing in relief. Ronaldo knew how close he came to throwing away his golden season, and in tears he found a friend. Ferguson was hopping and halting with the enthusiasm of a spring chicken, soaking in the adulation of his exultant team.

Ah sport, how much could it give you, if only you gave it your time.

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