Manchester United-Internazionale Milano: UEFA Champions League Preview

It's not too often that 0-0 draws are thrilling spectacles in the world of football, but Internazionale's match against Manchester United at the San Siro last month was nothing short of fantastic.

The goalless scoreline didn't really come as a surprise. As I speculated before the match at the San Siro, goals would be few and far between, as both teams would be a little hesitant in going forward due to the sheer power of the strike force each team possesses.

I was, however, a little off the mark. Each side sent out a standard 4-4-2 formation, with no particular emphasis on attack or defense. Inter, however, were the more defensive of the two. 

This was partly due to the damage an away goal against them would cause, but also because the Manchester club were so dominant.

Cristiano Ronaldo was particularly dangerous from the outset; after just a couple of minutes he had a headed effort cleared off the line by Inter's outstanding goalkeeper, Julio Cesar.

Many more Ronaldo chances followed, mainly from free kicks, but the whistle went for half time and both clubs still found themselves goalless. The second half proved the same, though Inter provided more of an attacking style of play, but, at the final whistle, the game was a stalemate.

In one sense, it was difficult for United to play at the San Siro. On the one hand, they wanted the away goal. On the other hand, they didn't want to concede to an Inter side with stellar players at the front and back; they weren't sure whether to attack or defend, but they played an excellent medium.

Sir Alex Ferguson made a great choice in selecting Ji-Sung Park over Luis Nani. Park's work-rate, going both forward and back, proved vital in not only creating United chances, but also stopping Inter full back Maicon from getting forward. Nani wouldn't have provided this, at least not to the extent of Park. I feel Park will also get the nod at Old Trafford.

United had scares, many of them coming from utility man John O'Shea.

As any clued-up fan will know, United are suffering problems in the right back position and O'Shea certainly doesn't look too comfortable on the wing. His passing was wayward and was often caught out of position in both the attacking third and around United's 18-yard box.

He improved in the second half, but even since then, in matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham (Carling Cup and FA Cup respectively), he has been poor.

The other problem that compounded O'Shea's weak performance was the presence of Inter's Brazilian striker Adriano.

Although primarily playing through the middle, against United he often drifted out to the wings and O'Shea had a tough night against the skill and physical power of the troubled forward. Seeing as United has few options but to play O'Shea again, Jose Mourinho will likely keep with Adriano rather than Mario Ballotelli.

Despite this weak link, I would still bet on Manchester United qualifying for the next stage. They may have a slight problem in that only a win can put them through, but if they play as they did in Milan they should get a positive result.

Expect more of the same at Old Trafford. Inter will want to play like they did in the second half in the first leg for the whole 90 minutes this time around. If Julio Cesar plays as he did at the San Siro at the end of February, the Milan side can afford to push forward more.

United will welcome back Nemanja Vidic to their defensive backline and have a selection problem up front after Carlos Tevez's excellent performance against Fulham in the FA Cup.

Inter has had a bad recent run, both on the field and off it. A draw with a recuperating Roma side followed by Mourinho's controversial remarks concerning the domestic league and a heavy 3-0 first leg defeat to an under-performing Sampdoria side don't bode well for the team (though it should be noted there were many reserve players fielded for that match).

They got back to their winning ways after a comfortable 2-0 win over Genoa on Saturday, but on the same day United continued their dominant run with a 4-0 demolition of Fulham at the Craven Cottage, after winning the Carling Cup at the start of the month.

A nervy 2-1 victory over Newcastle midweek was the only blip, but their recent form has been a whole lot better than Inter's.

United also rested star play Cristiano Ronaldo against Fulham. Can his fresh legs be the difference between the two teams?

Likely Lineups

Internazionale

GK: Julio Cesar

RB: Maicon

CB: Chivu

CB: Cordoba/Burdisso

LB: Santon

DMF: Cambiasso

CMF: Zanetti

CMF: Muntari/Viera

AMF: Stankovic

CF: Adriano

CF: Ibrahimovic

Manchester United

GK: Van der Sar

RB: O'Shea/Evans

CB: Ferdinand

CB: Vidic

LB: Evra

CMF: Carrick

CMF: Giggs

RMF: Ronaldo

LMF: Park

CF: Rooney

CF: Berbatov/Tevez