UEFA President Michel Platini has paid tribute to the players, coaches and supporters of Manchester United and Milan, following last night’s Champions league encounter between the two sides.
Platini was speaking in the aftermath of an enthralling contest at Old Trafford that saw United secure a 3-2 lead to take to Milan next week.
“It is on days like this that it is a pleasure to be involved in European football as the UEFA president,” said Platini.
“The match, in all aspects, was a positive advertisement for European football and the UEFA Champions League and I wish to pass on my appreciation to everyone involved from the players and coaches to the supporters who made the event a thrilling spectacle to a worldwide audience.”
Platini’s sentiments were echoed by the press in both England and Italy.
The Guardian said: “There were no losers on a night that lived up to the finest traditions of the two clubs and of the tournament on which both have engraved their names. United can celebrate a comeback surely as thrilling as any in their history, while Milan will point to two away goals that may tilt the balance at San Siro next week.”
Meanwhile, Corriere della Sera was equally enthusiastic about the game.
“Manchester deserved the victory but Milan can regret not having secured the game after the two wonderful goals by Kaka,” it wrote.
“The Rossoneri can surely look at this match as a missed chance. Qualification is still open but the first leg was certainly beautiful, honest, played with fair play and competitiveness with both sides always pushing at 100km-an-hour. A real beauty.”
