The evening of April 27, Madrid's Bernabéu Stadium.
In the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, Real Madrid hosted Manchester United.
The match began at a blistering pace, with both teams attacking directly.
Real Madrid lined up in a 4-2-3-1 Formation tonight. Casillas was in goal, with Marcelo, Vermaelen, Ramos, and Maicon across the back. The Double Defensive Midfielders were Xabi Alonso and Mascherano, with Yang Yang, Kaka, and Robben ahead of them. Ibrahimovic led the line. This was Real Madrid's strongest attacking lineup of the season.
Manchester United had also fielded all their key players. Van der Sar was in goal, with Evra, Vidić, Ferdinand, and Fabio in defense. From left to right in midfield were Park Ji-sung, Giggs, Carrick, and Valencia. Up front was the partnership of Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney.
The two Head Coaches and the players on both sides were all familiar with one another. Benitez made no secret of his intentions: he wanted to defeat Manchester United at home, so he had fielded a more attack-minded lineup to deal with the Red Devils Manchester United.
Ferguson had the same idea. The Red Devils Manchester United immediately launched an away-side offensive, taking the initiative. Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo pressed aggressively up front. In the third minute, the Portuguese won the ball from Mascherano, and Carrick sent it forward. Little Ronaldo took a shot from outside the penalty area, but Vermaelen turned sideways and blocked it.
After the Belgian had been sent off in the first El Clásico, he started again in this match, still seething with frustration.
Having tasted success, Manchester United was like a shark that had smelled blood. Ferguson signaled for the team to intensify its pressing.
When Real Madrid passed the ball back to their goalkeeper, Little Ronaldo quickly closed in, forcing