Counting on Lady Luck
Solskjaer hoping for semifinal success at third attempt
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes his team can make it third time lucky and reach their first final of the season after steering United to the Europa League last four after a 1-0 extra-time win over Copenhagen.
United laboured to dispose of the Danish side in 90 minutes, with their 21st penalty kick of the season, converted by Bruno Fernandes in the 95th minute, enough to book a semi-final clash with Wolves or Sevilla.
Norwegian Solskjaer, chasing his first silverware as United boss, is hoping a repeat of their League Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City and English FA Cup last-four loss to Chelsea will not be repeated in Cologne on Sunday.
“We need to be more clinical in knockout games,” Solskjaer said.
“I am delighted we are through to another semi-final for this team and the next challenge is to go one step further, and then hopefully win the last one (the final), too.
“We have worked hard throughout
I am delighted we are through to another semi-final for this team and the next challenge is to go one step further, and then hopefully win the last one (the final), too.
the season, and come quite a distance from where we were in terms of fitness, but mentally that is where they (the semi-finals) are decided.”
United’s performance, however, will not give Solskjaer too much hope of going a stage further.
While United had plenty of chances, their finishing left much to be desired, as the English Premier League side struggled to cope with the energy-sapping conditions.
“We’re used to having the best facilities around in the world for recovery and preparation,” Solskjaer added.
“But not this time. We just have to make the most out of a difficult situation in conditions that are really hot, humid.
“We’ve got six days to prepare. “There’s not many times that we have six days to prepare for a game.”
Meanwhile, former United striker Romelu Lukaku grabbed the decisive goal for Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan against Bayer Leverkusen as the Serie A runners-up moved a step closer to adding to their titles from 1991, 1994 and 1998.
Inter struck first as Nicolo
Barella guided in from the edge of the area on 15 minutes, with Lukaku bundling in a second six minutes later.
Kai Havertz reduced the deficit in possibly his final game for Leverkusen on 25 minutes after exchanging passes with fellow Germany international Kevin Volland, but Inter held on to seal their place against Shakhtar Donetsk or Basel in next week’s semi-final.
“The defence did a tremendous job again tonight. We are growing but we have to learn to kill games off when we have the chances to do it, and we didn’t tonight,” said Lukaku.
“Now we have time to recover physically and prepare for another great game. We will have to be ready.” — Agencies
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer