Europa League: Amorim Draws Motivation from Man United's 1999 Treble for Comeback Against Lyon
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Synopsis
On April 18, Ruben Amorim shared how Manchester United's comeback against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals was inspired by their legendary 1999 Champions League triumph. The match ended 5-4 in favor of United, securing a 7-6 aggregate victory and a place in the semi-finals against Athletic Club.
Key Takeaways
- Amorim drew inspiration from the 1999 final.
- United overcame a two-goal deficit.
- Late goals from Mainoo and Maguire sealed the win.
- United will face Athletic Club next.
- Character was key to their victory.
Manchester, April 18 (NationPress) Ruben Amorim disclosed that Manchester United's thrilling comeback against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final second leg was influenced by the iconic 1999 Champions League final victory.
Manchester United secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Europa League after an epic showdown at Old Trafford, triumphing over Lyon 7-6 on aggregate in the dying moments of extra time.
"I was revisiting the '99 documentary (when we clinched the Treble by overcoming Bayern Munich with two late goals at the Nou Camp), seeking some inspiration for this occasion. It was a remarkable evening. The team was fatigued, which was evident during the match, and then 4-2 with one additional player, and you think it's done. But here, it's never truly over," Amorim stated to TNT Sports.
The first nine-goal match in Europa League history witnessed Manchester United relinquishing a two-goal advantage, as ten-man Lyon rallied to take a 3-2 lead; however, late strikes in extra time from Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire secured a memorable 5-4 win (7-6 on aggregate) for the home side.
"We aimed to position Harry Maguire (up front) since he's the only one capable of scoring with his headers. Kobbie Mainoo, despite lacking pace at this moment due to an injury that sidelined him for a while, excels in tight spaces, and he has the knack for producing that kind of goal. We attempted it, and today it paid off," he added.
United will meet Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-finals in May. Discussing the upcoming opponent, Amorim remarked, "Anything is achievable; you witnessed it today. Naturally, the rivals are quite formidable, but we are here to compete. Even if our performance isn't flawless, we can demonstrate our character.
"The determination of the players was the pivotal factor tonight. We must stay focused as we head into the semi-finals; winning anything (for that) is not guaranteed, of course. This primarily boosts our confidence and sets a clear objective for these final matches."
