Penalties Exhibit Contrasting Emotions

Old Trafford. The Theatre of Dreams. Last night, the production on show was far too real for that title. In terms of drama though, there were moments which would not have looked out of place gracing the stage of the Lowry, just down the road.

A match with two penalties and an own goal will rarely contribute many clips to the end-of-season highlights reel. Spot-kicks do not offer flowing build-up play, or unbelievable finishes which fans want to relive again and again. The tension transmitted from the spot to the stands only lasts a moment. A moment that is shared between all 74,427 supporters in the ground.

In this match, there were two of those moments. In the first half, United fans stood in silence, urging Anthony Martial to break the deadlock. Anticipation to exasperation in an instant. Mile Svilar had pounced on every United fan’s hope as he dived to get his glove to the ball.

The 78th minute saw the supporters silenced again. Perched on the edge of their seats, they knew a goal would seal the win, but had already tasted disappointment. Daley Blind stepped up. Anticipation to elation. A shared moment which cannot be relived. An experience of sheer ecstasy alongside supporters who feel just the same, which can’t be forgotten.

Some experiences aren’t shared in a football stadium. When Nemanja Matic’s shot ricocheted off a post and rolled into the net off the back of Svilar, the young goalkeeper was completely isolated. In that moment, he went from a penalty-saving hero to the youngest player to score an own goal in the Champions League. A nightmare at Old Trafford.

In the opposite goal, David De Gea provided a thriller. Behind one of the most solid defences in the business, the Spanish shot-stopper has not been tested as much as in previous seasons, but, whenever called upon, he has the answer. His team are yet to concede a goal at Old Trafford in all competitions with him between the sticks this term and, on Halloween, he treated the fans once again.

Former United boss Ron Atkinson revealed his surprise that De Gea was not rested when speaking to MUTV before the match. The 26-year-old exhibited the reason for his selection with a series of spectacular saves to deny a Benfica team desperate to claim their first points in the group.

Immediately after the match, De Gea showed more than his athletic ability. He showed that football goes beyond the display of skill enjoyed over the 90 minutes, as he went over to console his opposite number. That was a brief moment, but one that was unprompted and could prove crucial in the development of a young talent.

This was mirrored by a similar act in the stands. Benfica’s traveling supporters had not stopped singing since their arrival inside the stadium and as each United fan in their corner of the ground stood up to leave, they could be seen applauding their opposite numbers. Another brief moment, also unprompted, but one that will be of significance to the Reds’ friends from Portugal. A gesture befitting of a global club.

United now stand on the cusp of the knockout stage. A place where they belong. Old Trafford is a theatre made for nights in the Champions League. There is much more drama set to unfold.

The opinions in this story are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United Football Club.

Credit: Manutd.com