Ole: We deserved to progress to semis
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United deserved to progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League on Monday night.
The Reds beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 in the last-eight stage, but only the heroics of opposition keeper Karl-Johan Johnsson kept the score down, with the Swede registering 13 saves in Cologne - the most of any player in the Europa League since 2009.
Speaking after the game, Ole reserved some special words for the stopper, praised our attacking players and explained why he was actually pleased the game went to extra-time.
Here’s what the boss had to say in his post-match interviews with MUTV and BT Sport…
Speaking after the game, Ole reserved some special words for the stopper, praised our attacking players and explained why he was actually pleased the game went to extra-time.
Here’s what the boss had to say in his post-match interviews with MUTV and BT Sport…
Solskjaer: A semi-final is not enough Video
Solskjaer: A semi-final is not enough
Ole has given his verdict on the win, Karl-Johan Johnsson, Bruno's penalty and Sevilla or Wolves in the semis...
WELL-EARNED WIN
“It’s the third time this season we’ve been to the semis in every competition we’ve been in. I’m delighted that we’re through but think we deserved to win tonight. Their keeper was fantastic - actually, unbelievable - but we hit the post a couple of times and there were a few VAR decisions against us. It could have been one of those nights that you end up with a penalty shoot-out because they created opportunities, maybe not shots on target because Sergio didn’t have to make a save I don't think. We had to block, we had to defend well. They made it hard for us. We needed it and thankfully we’ve got six days until the next one and that one day extra will help us."
“It’s the third time this season we’ve been to the semis in every competition we’ve been in. I’m delighted that we’re through but think we deserved to win tonight. Their keeper was fantastic - actually, unbelievable - but we hit the post a couple of times and there were a few VAR decisions against us. It could have been one of those nights that you end up with a penalty shoot-out because they created opportunities, maybe not shots on target because Sergio didn’t have to make a save I don't think. We had to block, we had to defend well. They made it hard for us. We needed it and thankfully we’ve got six days until the next one and that one day extra will help us."
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
“It’s a good team, a well-organised team. They had the press and they had a game-plan. They had triggers where they jumped and they pressed us. Of course, they had a decent chance in the first half when they caught Fred on the ball. It was a good recovery from the lads. I knew they were going to be hard to break down. It was about patience and not making mistakes and not giving them opportunities that they don’t have to. Let them earn chances and we knew we would get chances. Anthony, Marcus, Bruno, Mason and Paul will always create chances in every game.”
DEALING WITH THE HEAT
“It’s very warm. I think some of these hadn’t played since the Leicester game, so I think they needed a run-out. It was a good work-out. Of course, we’re through - that’s the main thing, the only thing really."
“It’s a good team, a well-organised team. They had the press and they had a game-plan. They had triggers where they jumped and they pressed us. Of course, they had a decent chance in the first half when they caught Fred on the ball. It was a good recovery from the lads. I knew they were going to be hard to break down. It was about patience and not making mistakes and not giving them opportunities that they don’t have to. Let them earn chances and we knew we would get chances. Anthony, Marcus, Bruno, Mason and Paul will always create chances in every game.”
DEALING WITH THE HEAT
“It’s very warm. I think some of these hadn’t played since the Leicester game, so I think they needed a run-out. It was a good work-out. Of course, we’re through - that’s the main thing, the only thing really."
Captured in Cologne
GalleryThese are the must-see photos from United's Europa League quarter-final win over FC Copenhagen.
PLAYING THE LONG GAME
“I think maybe we needed it [extra-time]. You felt towards the end that we could get the goal but you don’t got gung-ho, open up and they can counterattack on you. You felt with another half an hour to play that we’d create more chances and score some goals.”
BRUNO’S SPOT-KICK ROUTINE
“He knows that keepers will wait for him to do the jump. He practises both of them and he practises both sides. He’s got them sorted better that I did.”
“I think maybe we needed it [extra-time]. You felt towards the end that we could get the goal but you don’t got gung-ho, open up and they can counterattack on you. You felt with another half an hour to play that we’d create more chances and score some goals.”
BRUNO’S SPOT-KICK ROUTINE
“He knows that keepers will wait for him to do the jump. He practises both of them and he practises both sides. He’s got them sorted better that I did.”
Highlights: United 1 FC Copenhagen 0 Video
Highlights: United 1 FC Copenhagen 0
Bruno Fernandes was cool, calm, and collected from the penalty spot to secure a marginal win over FCK.
SEMI-FINAL OPPONENTS
“Two good teams, definitely. We know everything about Wolverhampton. I had a last-16 round with Molde against Sevilla, so I want to get back at them for that as well, so I don’t mind. We’ll look forward to the next one and we can sit back and watch Wolves and Sevilla tomorrow.”
FINAL IN SIGHT
“We need to go that next step. The next step for this team as well. That’s the challenge for them now. Okay, three semis [this season] but that’s close, that’s not where we want to be. We want to be in a final and we want to win it."
“Two good teams, definitely. We know everything about Wolverhampton. I had a last-16 round with Molde against Sevilla, so I want to get back at them for that as well, so I don’t mind. We’ll look forward to the next one and we can sit back and watch Wolves and Sevilla tomorrow.”
FINAL IN SIGHT
“We need to go that next step. The next step for this team as well. That’s the challenge for them now. Okay, three semis [this season] but that’s close, that’s not where we want to be. We want to be in a final and we want to win it."
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