Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho felt the Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester United remained finely balanced at “50-50” after the 1-1 draw in last night’s first leg at the Bernabeu.
Danny Welbeck’s first-half header gave the Red Devils a precious away goal, but United old boy Cristiano Ronaldo also left his mark on the meeting with a brilliant equalising header.
Analysing the match on Sky Sports 2, Mourinho said: “I think basically (it was) what I was waiting for, which is everything very open for the second leg. As I was thinking, I think this will go to the last minute.”
Asked if the meeting had resembled a game of chess, the Portuguese replied: “For them not for us. They changed their way of play.”
Sir Alex Ferguson declared himself happy with the result and confident that his side can complete the job at home but was quick to praise his former protege Ronaldo.
“What a header. Unbelievable. You can’t stop that,” he said of the Portuguese’s goal.
“The spring, the way he holds himself in the air, the power in the header. I said to Patrick Evra at half-time, ‘you didn’t challenge for that’. And when I saw the video I thought, ‘what was I talking about?’.
“I think it’s difficult for Cristiano playing against us, his old team. There’s a little bit of emotion attached to it for him because he had so many great years for us. But when he gets the ball you’re praying, more than anything.”
Assessing a busy 90 minutes, Ferguson added: “There were a lot of incidents in the game. We had lots of chances in the match and played some good attacking football at times but we did not get the possession we should have had.
“Real won possession without question, but it takes us back to Old Trafford with a great chance.
“It will be very open. I think we’ll score at Old Trafford. We have a big job on our hands but it is definitely within our grasp.”
United striker Robin van Persie, who might have had a hat-trick on another night after spurning some inviting openings, was cautious in his assessment ofthe result.
“It was a good result away from home. People who have watched the game have seen chances for both sides. It was a great game to watch. But it’s half-time and we will be ready for the second half.”