hello to you on a cracking night here at the theater of dreams old trafford i'm derek ray
and my commentary partner as always is stuart robson and this is where it all starts in the
uefa champions league the group stage and match day one my goodness so much to look forward to
what do you anticipate seeing stuart well thanks derek this is such an important game
both sides will be desperate to start this group well let's hope we see some great football today
is
uh
this is the team manchester united will go with david stands between the posts harry
maguire plays alongside rafael varan in central defence paul pogba plays with fred
in central midfield and the focal point in attack today is cristiano ronaldo
let's have a look at the initial 11 for the visitors
well as you can see they're playing with a diamond in midfield which allows them
to dominate the central area but does leave them exposed out wide
it's the opening match day champions league group stage match day one underway
jaden sancho pogba diogo dallo
ronaldo one of the greatest players of the current era and you'd have to
imagine stuart he's going to go big moment here excellent block
a really effective shielding under pressure
zappacosta
across lakingal and accuracy
jayden sancho here's ronaldo
superb defensive judgment to end the attack can he find the net and just over the bar albeit narrowly
is it going to end up being productive for them
and a timely intervention
bruno fernandez
he's given us away
martin deron
oh that's a pass of high quality really needed to be spot on with the challenge inside the box
defensive efficiency personified
and now passing it through he might be able to make it through
and there it is one nil the reference have been rewarded and look at the celebrations
well let's look at this again derek because the transition when the ball changes hands
is so quick and once he gets onto it he just smashes it past the keeper with great technique
what an emphatic finish that is
so underway again here one nil to score
he continues his run and a throw in it's going to be
magnificent defending
jaden sancho
wasteful from united
so nearing the break and it's united on top stuart how about your critique of their first
half display well it's been a tight game so far but they've just had that little bit more
quality on the ball particularly in midfield where they've just started to take control
they'll be fairly happy going at half time if it stays like this
a chance maybe from the wide position
well he's outplayed and out thought him
gorzon's is it going to be and a goal to level this contest all even
well that was a fairly easy finish in the end but he still had to take it
he won't mind how they come though
back underway level pegging one girl a piece in this game
marcus rashford
here is fred
paul pogba bruno fernandez
oh that's an interesting pass really sound goalkeeping
well that had to be a goal didn't it what a stop that is
now sending us in
well here's another look at it certainly delivering into the box couldn't have been
any better and then what a great finish as well good connection with the ball
leaving the keeper with little chance it's a great goal
and that will do it for the first half here at the theater of dreams
well it was a magical first half performance from cristiano ronaldo
no doubt about that stuart well he certainly had an impact on that first half scoring that late
goal but i thought his overall contribution was really good and he got better as the half wore on
and so the second half of this champions league group stage match day one contest commences
it might be on for them and intercepts again
sure
i must say this looks promising oh lovely incisive pass they've gone and scored again
they're doing everything in the power to make sure they're not pegged back
well here it is again he hits this so sweetly doesn't he
that's a brilliant goal from a top class player
so back underway 3-1 the score cristiano
malinowski and they keep the ball moving they're trying to take their time but not
enough care on the ball and the counter looks on here options available can they take advantage
of the situation and they'll regard that as a very disappointing end to the move
duvan zapata
creative look about this martin doron
zappacosta
that is a very fine challenge in difficult circumstances
cristiano ronaldo really nice ball
well they're going to be very cross with themselves because that was a wasted opportunity
well we're focusing on cristiano ronaldo for a reason stuart
fair to say he's been at his brilliant best well he's been at his best today he just seems to get
his shots away so easily and he's taking his goals really well brilliant stuff from him
david zappacosta
not getting the ball forward ilitch
shot attempted and somehow kept out by decayer
who can they pick out well that still could be dangerous
and oh it's in we cannot declare this contest over they still believe
well here it is again it's a good delivery from the corner and then the shot is emphatic
he strikes it with such power the keeper has no time to react what a good finish
now the game has been restarted 3-2 here
double substitution
number
considerable momentum courtesy of ronaldo
and it's in for manchester united they are on a victory course
well here it is again the ball over the top is an absolute beauty and then through on goal and just
goes for power and smashes it past the keeper there's no stopping that what a great finish
so the current score line four two
well beating his opponents good defending in the end and danger reversal for now
pretty comfortable piece of defending
gauzens
malinowski oh good reflexes from the keeper and the danger reversing
time for a change then
over it comes well it looks so promising but a girl kicked the outcome
and now they have the ball back
well taking into account all the stoppages three minutes to be added on
and providing wit ronaldo at the ready and a goal to put the final stamp on it that will do it
well here it is again just look at the quality of the cross it's inch perfect
but the finish is so easy he's given far too much
time and space he doesn't even have to jump poor defending you have to say
well it's been such a one-sided game you just so full time it is under morale boosting three
points on the board to begin the european campaign yeah it's so vital to get off to a quick start in
these group stages they'll be happy with the three points but now they have to back it up
in the next game six points and you're halfway there and on the back of this no doubt about
it cristiano ronaldo generating headlines well what more could you ask for his build
up play was clever his movement was dynamic and he scored a couple of goals what a player he is