Memorable European Confrontations, Part 31-1984 Juventus vs. Manchester United

 

Juventus and Manchester United were paired in the Semi-Finals of the 1983/84 Cup Winners Cup.

The English side Manchester United were managed by Ron Atkinson. They had not won the English League title in more than 15 years but were capable of good cup runs. The side contained the likes of Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins and young Internationals such as Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside and Welshman Mark Hughes.

Manchester United had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating Czechoslovakia’s Dukla Prague (1-1 home, 2-2 away, away goals rule), Bulgaria’s Spartak Varna (2-1 away, 2-0 home) and Spain’s Barcelona (0-2 away, 3-0 home) in the Quarterfinals.

 

Juventus, managed by Giovanni Trapattoni, were one of the best sides in Europe.

The side included a number of 1982 World Cup Champions (Gentile, Cabrini, Scirea, Tardelli, Rossi) as well Polish star Zbigniew Boniek and the recent Ballon d’Or Winner, the Frenchman Michel Platini.

Juventus had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating Poland’s Lechia Gdansk (7-0 home, 3-2 away), France’s Paris St. Germain (2-2 away, 0-0 home, away goals rule) and Finland’s Haka Valkeakoski (1-0 away, 1-0 home) in the Quarterfinals.

 

 

The first leg, on April 11th, was played at Manchester’s Old Trafford. The home side were missing key midfielders: Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins and the Dutchman Arnold Muhren.

Juventus were at full strength with Platini back in the lineup after absence of a few weeks due to injury.

Given that they were the away team, Trapattoni started with the more defensive Prandelli in midfield.

As early as the 10^th minute, Manchester United were forced to make a change as John Gidman was injured. He would be replaced by the Welshman Alan Davies.

Juventus would take the lead in the 14^th minute, Boniek (saving his best performances for these European nights) got hold of the ball and from the right side passed to Paolo Rossi in the middle. Rossi, from just outside of the box, struck and his shot was deflected by Hogg and went past Bailey.

Manchester United would fight back to force an equalizer in the 36^th minute.

From the center of the field (on the left side), Arthur Albiston sent a cross in the box. Whiteside’s shot was parried by Tacconi and substitute Alan Davies scored on the rebound.

The match ended as a tie, which favored Juventus as the away side.

After the match, Platini, still not fully fit, stated that he had feared not being able to finish the match.

He did well in first half but struggled in the second like the rest of the Juventus side.

Manchester United Manager Ron Atkinson appeared confident and stated, “We are in better shape than after our (0-2) loss vs. Barcelona.

 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1984, April 17, 1984

(April 11, 1984, Cup Winners Cup, Manchester United 1-Juventus 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 16 (485), April 18-24, 1984

(April 11, 1984, Cup Winners Cup, Manchester United 1-Juventus 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 16 (485), April 18-24, 1984

(April 11, 1984, Cup Winners Cup, Manchester United 1-Juventus 1)

 Photo From: L'Annee du Football 1984

(April 11, 1984, Cup Winners Cup, Manchester United 1-Juventus 1)

The second leg, on April 25^th, was played at Turin’s Stadio Communale.

Manchester United were still missing Robson and Muhren. Atkinson also left out Gidman and Whiteside out of the staring team. Ray Wilkins was back, and Mark Hughes started upfront.

Now at home, Trapattoni opted to replace Prandelli with the more attack minded Beniamino Vignola, the revelation of the season for Juventus.

Once again Juventus would take a quick lead. In the 13^th minute, deep from his own half, Platini sent a long cross towards Boniek, who beat Bailey in a one on one situation.

Manchester United were forced to come out and fight back. Atkinson replaced Stapelton with Whiteside in the 63^rd minute.

Just seven minutes later, from the left side, Graham crossed in the box, McGrath turned and crossed for Whitedside who struck the equalizer.

Now Juventus had to go all out as the match seemed headed for overtime.

In the last minute, Vignola took a free kick from the left side. The Manchester defense headed out, Scirea took a shot. The deflection reached Rossi who picked up the rebound and shot in the winner to eliminate Manchester United.

For the second year running, Juventus reached a European Cup Final (in 1983 they lost the Champions Cup Final to SV Hamburg).

 

Juventus would go on to win the Cup Winners Cup at the end of that season on May 16^th, 1984 by defeating FC Porto (2-1). In addition, they would win the Italian League title to mark a memorable season.

Manchester United would end up finishing fourth in the English League.

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 18 (488), May 2-8, 1984

(April 25, 1984, Cup Winners Cup, Juventus 2- Manchester United 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 18 (488), May 2-8, 1984

(April 25, 1984, Cup Winners Cup, Juventus 2- Manchester United 1)

 

April 11, 1984

Manchester United Football Club (England) 1- Juventus Football Club-Torino (Italy) 1

Cup Winners Cup- Semifinals, First Leg

Venue: Manchester-Old Trafford

Attendance: 58,231

Referee: Johannes Nicolaus Igancius ‘Jan’ Keizer (Holland)

Goalscorers: (Manchester United): Alan Davies 36

  (Juventus): Paolo Rossi 14

Lineups:

Manchester United:

1-Gary Bailey, 2-Mike Duxburry, 3-Arthur Albiston (Scotland), 4-Paul McGrath (Republic of Ireland), 5-Kevin Moran (Republic of Ireland), 6-Graeme Hogg (Scotland), 7-Arthur Graham (Scotland), 8-Remi Moses, 9-Frank Stapelton (Republic of Ireland), 10-Norman Whiteside (Northern Ireland), 11-Johm Gidman (14-Alan Davies (Wales) 10)

Coach: Ron Atkinson

 

Team Captain: Frank Stapelton

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  Sharp

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks

 

Juventus:

1-Stefano Tacconi, 2-Claudio Gentile, 3-Antonio Cabrini, 5-Sergio Brio, 6-Gaetano Scirea, 4-Massimo Bonini, 7-Cesare Prandelli, 8-Marco Tardelli, 9-Paolo Rossi, 10-Michel Platini (France), 11-Zbigniew Boniek (Poland)

Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni

 

Team Captain: Gaetano Scirea

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Ariston

Uniform Colors: Black/White vertically striped Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

 

April 25, 1984

Juventus Football Club-Torino (Italy) 2-Manchester United Football Club (England) 1

Cup Winners Cup- Semifinals, Second Leg

Venue: Turin-Stadio Communale

Attendance: 54,555

Referee: Alexis Ponnet (Belgium)

Goalscorers: (Juventus): Zbigniew Boniek 13, Paolo Rossi 90

  (Manchester United): Norman Whiteside 70

Lineups:

Juventus:

1-Stefano Tacconi, 2-Claudio Gentile, 3-Antonio Cabrini, 5-Sergio Brio, 6-Gaetano Scirea, 4-Massimo Bonini, 7-Beniamino Vignola, 8-Marco Tardelli (Cesare Prandelli 78), 9-Paolo Rossi, 10-Michel Platini (France), 11-Zbigniew Boniek (Poland)

Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni

 

Team Captain: Gaetano Scirea

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

Shirt Sponsor: Ariston

Uniform Colors: Black/White vertically striped Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

 

Manchester United:

1-Gary Bailey, 2-Mike Duxburry, 3-Arthur Albiston (Scotland), 5-Kevin Moran (Republic of Ireland), 6-Graeme Hogg (Scotland),7-Paul McGrath (Republic of Ireland), 4-Ray Wilkins, 8-Remi Moses, 9-Frank Stapelton (Republic of Ireland) (12-Norman Whiteside (Northern Ireland) 63), 10-Mark Hughes (Wales), 11-Arthur Graham (Scotland)

Coach: Ron Atkinson

 

Team Captain: Frank Stapelton

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  Sharp

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks

 

Juvantus:

Players who took part in these matches:

Goalkeeper:

Stefano Tacconi (May 13, 1957, Perugia) (aged 26 years old at the time)

 

Defenders:

Claudio Gentile (September 27, 1953, Tripoli, Libya) (aged 30 years old at the time)

Antonio Cabrini (October 8, 1957, Cremona) (aged 26 years old at the time)

Sergio Brio (August 19, 1956, Lecce) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Gaetano Scirea (May 25, 1953, Cernusco sul Maviglio-September 3, 1989, Babsk, Poland) (aged 30 years old at the time)

 

Midfielders:

Massimo Bonini (October 13, 1959, San Marino) (aged 24 years old at the time)

Marco Tardelli (September 24, 1954, Careggine) (aged 29 years old at the time)

Michel Platini (June 21, 1955, Jouef, France) (aged 28 years old at the time)

Cesare Prandelli (August 19, 1957, Ozinuovi) (aged 26 years old at the time)

Beniamino Vignola (June 12, 1959, Prato) (aged 24 years old at the time)

 

Forwards:

Paolo Rossi (September 23, 1956, Prato) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Zbigniew Boniek (March 3, 1956, Bydgoszcz, Poland) (aged 28 years old at the time)

 

Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni (March 17, 1939, Cusano Milanino) (aged 45 years old at the time)

Team Captain: Gaetano Scirea

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Kappa

 

 

Photo Credits:

All players (1983-84 Calciatori Panini)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 13, November 1998

(Juventus Manager Giovanni Trapattoni)

Manchester United Football Club:

Players who took part in these matches:

Goalkeeper:

Gary Bailey (August 9, 1958, Ipswich) (aged 25 years old at the time)

 

Defenders:

Mike Duxburry (September 1, 1959, Accrington) (aged 24 years old at the time)

Arthur Albiston (July 14, 1957, Edinburgh) (aged 26 years old at the time)

Kevin Moran (April 29, 1956, Dublin) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Graeme Hogg (June 17, 1964, Aberdeen) (aged 19 years old at the time)

 

Midfielders:

Paul McGrath (December 4, 1959, Greenford) (aged 24 years old at the time)

Arthur Graham (October 26, 1952, Glasgow) (aged 31 years old at the time)

Remi Moses (November 14, 1960, Miles Platting, Manchester) (aged 23 years old at the time)

Ray Wilkins (September 14, 1956, Hillingdon-April 4, 2018, London) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Johm Gidman (January 10, 1954, Liverpool) (aged 30 years old at the time)

Alan Davies (December 5, 1961, Manchester-February 4, 1992, Gower) (aged 22 years old at the time)

 

Forwards:

Frank Stapelton (July 10, 1956, Dublin) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Norman Whiteside (May 7, 1965, Belfast) (aged 18 years old at the time)

Mark Hughes (November 1, 1963, Ruabon, Wrexham) (aged 20 years old at the time)

 

Coach: Ron Atkinson (March 18, 1939, Liverpool) (aged 45 years old at the time)

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  Sharp

 

Photo Credits:

All players and Manager (Panini England 1983/84)

Except: 

Gidman (Panini England 1981/82)

Hughes, Hogg (Panini England 1984/85)

McGrath (Panini England 1985/86)

Alan Davies (Official Match Programme,  Wales v Northern Ireland , 1984)

Match Referees:

Johannes Nicolaus Igancius ‘Jan’ Keizer (Holland) (October 6, 1940, Volendam) (aged 43 years old at the time)

Alexis Ponnet (Belgium) (March 9, 1939, Brussels) (aged 45 years old at the time)

 

 

 Photo From: France Football, Issue 1888, June 15, 1982

(Second Leg Referee, Alexis Ponnet)

References:

France Football, Issue 1984, April 17, 1984

France Football, Issue 1986, May 2, 1984

L'Annee du Football, 1984

World Soccer, May 1984

Guerin Sportivo, Issue 16 (485), April 18-24, 1984

Guerin Sportivo, Issue 18 (487), May 2-8, 1984

 

 

Old Team Photographs-Part 32b

Photo From: Placar, Issue 10, May 22, 1970

(Czechoslovakia squad, 1969/70)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 10, 1992

(Bordeaux squad, 1992/93)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 9, 1980

(Olympique Lyonnais squad, 1980/81)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 3, 1976

(Saint Etienne squad, Top, left to right: Yvan Curkovic, Gerard Janvion, Gerard Farison, Dominique Bathenay, Oswaldo Piazza, Christian Lopez, Christian Synaghel, Bottom, left to right:  Dominique Rochetau, Jean-Michel Larque, Patrick Revelli, Christian Sarramagna , September 15, 1976, Champions Cup,  CSKA Sofia 0-Saint Etienne 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 98, March 1997

(Argentina and Colombia squads, February 12, 1997, World Cup Qualifier, Colombia 0-Argentina 1)

Photo From:  Mondial, new series, issue 19, October 1981

(Anderlecht squad 1981/82)

Photo From: Miroir du Football , Issue 234, February 6, 1975

(AS Monaco squad 1974/75, Top, left to right: Jean-Louis Samuel, Jean Petit, Georges Prost, Yvon Chomet, Andre Guesdon, Christian Montes,  Bottom, left to right: Christian Dalger, Bernard Guignedoux, Delio Onnis, Omar Pastoriza, Pierre Pleimelding)

Photo From: Marshall Cavendish Top Teams 1971

(Tottenham Hotspur squad 1971)

Photo From: LIBRO DEL FUTBOL, Fasciculo 11, 1974

(Independiente squad 1968)

Photo From: Libero International, IFFHS, Issue 16, 1994

(Manchester United squad 1968)

Photo From: Le Livre d'or du Football 1996

(Paris St. Germain’s Cup Winners Cup squad of 1996 with French President Jacques Chirac)

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire

(France squad, May 19, 1946, France 2-England 1)

Photo From: kicker_WM-Sonderheft_1990

(Italy squad, Top, left to right:  Walter Zenga,  Fernando De Napoli , Giancarlo Marocchi, Andrea Carnevale, Riccardo Ferri , Giuseppe Bergomi, Bottom, left to right:  Roberto Baggio , Franco Baresi,  Giuseppe Giannini, Gianluca Vialli,  Luigi De Agostini, November 11, 1989, Italy 1-Algeria 0)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Number 3, January 15-21, 1992

(Sigma Olomouc squad 1991/92)

Photo From: Hurra Juventus 1971 #10 ottobre

(Juventus squad 1937/38)

Old team Photographs-Part 25b

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 39, March 2001

(AC Milan squad 2000/01, Top, left to right: Paolo Maldini, Francesco Coco, Massimo Ambrosini, Roque Junior, Oliver Bierhoff, Christian Abbiati, Andrei Shevchenko,  Bottom, left to right: Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Costacurta, Demetrio Albertini, Jose Mari  )

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 37, January 2001

(Bayer Leverkusen squad 2000/01, Top, left to right: Jens Nowotny, Carsten Ramelow, Torben Hoffmann, Michael Ballack, Jurica Vranjes, Robson Ponte, Vratislav Gresko, Marquinhos, Paulo Rink, Thomas Brdaric ,  Middle, left to right: Christoph Daum, Gerisch (Psychologist), Friese (goalkeeping coach), Trzolek (Physio), Glass (Physio), Jorg Reeb, Markus Daun, Anel Dzaka, Mousavi, Rothweiler (Physio), Zoller (Maseeur), Blum (Masseur), Koch (assistant coach) ,   Bottom, left to right: Robert Kovac, Ulf Kirsten, Boris Zivkovic, Bernd Schneider, Frank Juric, Adam Matysek, Oliver Neuville, Pascal Ojigwe, Landon Donovan, Andreas Neuendorf, Wohner (Masseur)  )

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 35, October 2000

(Olympique Marseille squad 2000/01, Top, left to right:  Cyrille Pouget, Zoumana Camara, William Gallas, Pierre Issa, Jerome Leroy, Cedric Carasso ,  Bottom, left to right: Djemal Belmadi, Keita, Pierre Luccin, Patrick Blondeau, Florian Maurice)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 32, July 2000

(Borussia Dortmund squad, Top, left to right:  Stephane Chapuisat, Jurgen Kohler, Jorg Heinrich, Matthias Sammer, Stefan Reuter, Martin Kree,  Bottom, left to right:  Paulo Sousa, Andreas Moeller, Paul Lambert, Stefan Klos, Karl-Heinz Riedle , May 28, 1997, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund 3-Juventus 1)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 22 Supplement, August-September 1999

(Bayern Munich squad 1998/99)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 15, January 1999

(Torino squad 1945/46, Top, left to right: Valerio Bacigalupo, Sergio Piacentini, Giuseppe Grezar, Adriano Zecca, Castelli, Eusebio Castigliano, Aldo Ballarin, Virgilio Maroso, Alfonso Santagiuliana, Alfredo Bodoira, Luigi Ferrero,  Bottom, left to right:  Mario Rigamonti, Ezio Loik, Oreste Guaraldo, Franco Ossola, Guglielmo Gabetto, Valentino Mazzola, Pietro Ferraris II )

Photo From: Onze, Issue 87, March 1983

(Athletic Bilbao squad 1982/83, Top, left to right:  Andoni Zubizaretta, Ismael Urtubi, Jose Maria Nunez, Luis De La Fuente, Santiago Urquiaga, Jesus Liceranzu ,  Bottom, left to right: Dani Ruiz, Jose Gallego, Miguel Angel Sola, Estanislao Argote, Manuel Sarabia )

Photo From: Onze, Issue 57, September 1980

(Sochaux squad 1980/81, Top, left to right: Rene Hauss, Phillipe Anziani, Jean-Pierre Posca, Jean-Luc Ruty, Albert Rust, Jacky Bonnevay, Abdel Djaadaoui, Jean Fauvergue , Bottom, left to right:  Thierry Meyer, Salih Durkalic, Moussa Bezzaz, Bernard Genghini, Patrick Revelli, Yannick Stopyra, Zvonko Ivezic)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 36, December 1978

(Boca Juniors squad 1978)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 77, August 1986

(Saint Etienne squad 1986/87)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, June 17-23, 1987

(Uruguay squad, Top, left to right: Fernando Harry Alvez Mosquera, Víctor Hugo Diogo Silva , Nelson Daniel Gutiérrez Luongo, Miguel Angel Bossio Bastianini , Sergio Santín Spinelli, José Alberto Batista González ,  Bottom, left to right:  Antonio Alzamendi Casas,  Eduardo Mario Acevedo Cardozo,  Jorge Walter Barrios, Enzo Françescoli Uriarte, Jorge Orosmán Da Silva Echeverrito   , June 4, 1986, World Cup, West Germany 1-Uruguay 1)

Photo From: Goal, November 1996

(Manchester United squad, 1955/56)

Photo From: European Football Yearbook 1988

(Real Sociedad squad 1987/88)

Photo From: 100 Melhores do Futebol Portugues, Volume II

(Porto squad from the 1930s)

Memorable European Confrontations, Part 17-1991 Manchester United vs. Montpellier

Manchester United and Montpellier were paired in the Quarterfinals of the 1990/91 Cup Winners Cup.

The English Club Manchester United, managed by Alex Ferguson, were along with Aston Villa, the first English clubs to play in Europe after the Heysel ban in 1985.

They were led by the injury prone skipper Bryan Robson and contained players such as Irish defender Dennis Irwin, Welshmen Clayton Blackmore and Mark Hughes, Scottish forward Brian McClair and solid reliable defender Steve Bruce.

They had qualified with relative ease from their opening two Rounds. The Hungarians of Pecsi were defeated home and away (2-0 and 1-0 respectively), and Welsh squad Wrexham were also defeated home and away (3-0 and 2-0 respectively).

They were lagging behind in the League and Europe was their only chance for any silverware.

The little known French side of Montpellier was the surprise team of the Tournament.

They were a mid-table team in the League, but still contained many talented players.

The team was managed by the Polish Henryk Kasperczak and was led by skipper and rising star Laurent Blanc.

The foreigners on their books were Colombian star Carlos Valderrama, Dutchman Wilbert Suvrijn and Polish Striker Jacek Ziober.

They had surprised everyone by eliminating in the first two rounds, two recent former European Champions, the Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven (1-0 Home, 0-0 away) and Romania’s Steaua Bucharest (5-0 Home, 3-0 away).

The first leg, on March 6th, was played at Manchester’ Old Trafford Stadium.

Manchester United were missing regulars in defense through injury: Steve Bruce and Dennis Irwin.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Patrick Colleter and Clayton Blackmore) 

In their place Lee Martin and Mal Donaghy started.

International midfielder Neil Webb was also missing through injury.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Mark Hughes between Der Zakarian and Blanc)

Montpellier were missing Carlos Valderrama and naturally adopted a defensive set up for this away match.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Laurent Blanc and Bryan Robson) 

Manchester United scored right at the first minute. Lee Sharpe attacked from the left side, after a give and go with Hughes, he crossed for McClair to score.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Brian McClair and Mark Hughes in front of the Montpellier goal)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Daniel Xuereb’s late chance in front of Les Sealey)

But in the 8^th minute, Ziober crossed from the left and Martin scored an own goal, even though they were no Montpellier players around him.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Mark Hughes and Jacek Ziober)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2346, March 26, 1991

(Pacal Baills walking off after being sent off)

In the 48^th minute, Mark Hughes had an entanglement with Lemoult and as he got up, Pascal Baills pushed him and he was sent off.

Pascal Baills was sent after Mark Hughes.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Michel Der Zakarian heading)

Manchester United did not take advantage fully of their man advantage at home despite having more chances.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Jean-Claude Lemoult and Mark Hughes)

Daniel Xuereb nearly snatched a winner for Montpellier towards the end.

At this point it seemed Montpellier had the upper hand in the tie, with home field advantage coming up.

March 6, 1991

Manchester United Football Club (England) 1- Montpellier-Hérault Sports Club (France) 1

Cup Winners Cup- Quarterfinals, First Leg

Venue: Manchester-Old Trafford

Attendance: 41,950

Referee: Pierluigi Pairetto (Italy)

Goalscorers: (Manchester United): Brian McClair 1’

 (Montpellier): Lee Martin (own goal) 8’

Lineups:

Manchester United:

1-Les Sealey, 3-Lee Martin (12-Danny Wallace 60^th), 4-Mal Donaghy (Northern Ireland), 6-Gary Pallister, 2-Clayton Blackmore (Wales), 5-Mike Phelan, 8-Paul Ince, 7-Bryan Robson, 11-Lee Sharpe, 9-Brian McClair (Scotland), 10-Mark Hughes (Wales)

Coach: Alex Ferguson (Scotland)

Booked: Bryan Robson 31st

Team Captain: Bryan Robson

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: Sharp

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, White Shorts, Black Socks

Montpellier:

1-Claude Barrabe, 2-Pascal Baills, 5-Laurent Blanc, 4-Michel Der Zakarian, 3-Franck Lucchesi, 6-Jean-Claude Lemoult, 7-Wilbert Suvrijn (Holland) (12-Regis Brouard 88^th), 10-Patrick Colleter, 8-Vincent Guerin, 9-Clement Garcia (15-Daniel Xuereb 85^th), 11-Jacek Ziober (Poland)

Coach: Henryk Kasperczak (Poland)

Booked: Garcia 58^th, Vincent Guerin 70^th

Sent Off: Pascal Baills 48th

Team Captain: Laurent Blanc

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  Air Littoral

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Orange Shorts, Blue Socks

The second leg, on March 19th, was played at Montpellier’s Stade La Mosson.

For Montpellier, Carlos Valderrama was back in the squad.

Defender Michel Der Zakarian was out injured; it turned out he had played most of the first leg carrying an injury. Thetis came in his place.

Brouard took the place of the suspended Baills. Vincent Guerin learned very late from a letter by UEFA that he was suspended from this match.

His booking in the first leg was the second in the competition.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Team captains Laurent Blanc and Bryan Robson)

The suspensions of Baills and Guerin weakened Montpellier’s right side.

In contrast Manchester United were nearly in full strength as Irwin and Bruce were back in.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Jean-Claude Lemoult between Mark Hughes and Paul Ince)

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1991

(Bryan Robson and Clayton Blackmore after the first goal)

The turning point of this match occurred in the injury time of the first half. Clayton Blackmore’s took a free kick that Claude Barrabe let slip through his hands.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Claude Barrabe committing his fatal error on the first goal)

The devastated Barrabe was consoled at halftime by his Manchester counterpart Les Sealey who said ‘I’m Sorry’.

Early in the second half, Colleter fouled Blackmore in the penalty area and Bruce converted the kick.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2346, March 26, 1991

(Clayton Blackmore and Jacek Ziober)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Thetis being sent off)

Montpellier had no way back and in the entire match had two chances.

Thetis also was sent off after an altercation with Hughes.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2346, March 26, 1991

(Mike Phelan and Patrick Colleter)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Mike Phelan and Wilbert Suvrijn)

The volatile Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin was absolutely furious with Barrabe after his error and said that he better do his job properly in the League, otherwise he ‘ll return to Reunion (the island that Barrabe hailed from).

Manchester went on to the semifinals and after eliminating Legia Warsaw met Barcelona in the Final.

The triumph over Barcelona paved the way for two decades of unprecedented success under Alex Ferguson.

March 19, 1991

Montpellier-Hérault Sports Club (France) 0-Manchester United Football Club (England) 2

Cup Winners Cup- Quarterfinals, Second Leg

Venue: Montpellier-Stade La Mosson

Attendance: 23,000

Referee: Hubert Forstinger (Austria)

Goalscorers: (Montpellier): None

 (Manchester United): Clayton Blackmore 45’+4’,

    Steve Bruce (Penalty Kick) 51’

Lineups:

Montpellier:

1-Claude Barrabe, 5-Laurent Blanc, 2-Regis Brouard (15-Daniel Xuereb 57^th), 4-Jean-Manuel Thetis, 3-Franck Lucchesi, 6-Jean-Claude Lemoult, 7-Wilbert Suvrijn (Holland), 8-Patrick Colleter, 10-Carlos Valderrama (Colombia), 9-Clement Garcia, 11-Jacek Ziober (Poland) (14-Patrice Garande 69^th)

Coach: Henryk Kasperczak (Poland)

Booked: Wilbert Suvrijn 24^th, Thetis 76^th

Sent Off: Thetis 78^th

Other Subs:

12-Jean-Jacques Nono

13-Franck Rizzetto

16-Phillipe Flucklinger

Team Captain: Laurent Blanc

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  Air Littoral

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Orange Shorts, Blue Socks

Manchester United:

1-Les Sealey, 2-Dennis Irwin (Republic of Ireland), 4-Steve Bruce,  6-Gary Pallister, 3-Clayton Blackmore (Wales), 5-Mike Phelan, 8-Paul Ince (14-Lee Martin 50^th), 7-Bryan Robson, 11-Lee Sharpe, 9-Brian McClair (Scotland), 10-Mark Hughes (Wales)

Coach: Alex Ferguson (Scotland)

Booked: Bryan Robson 34^th

Other subs:

12-Danny Wallace

13-Gary Walsh

15-Mal Donaghy (Northern Ireland)

16-Mark Robins

Team Captain: Bryan Robson

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: Sharp

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, White Shorts, Black Socks