Patrice Evra has pinpointed last month's quarter-final win at FC Porto as the moment that put Manchester United FC's trophy charge back on track.
Turnaround
United's campaign seemed to be faltering when, after Premier League defeats by Liverpool FC and Fulham FC and a narrow escape against Aston Villa FC, they drew 2-2 at home to Porto in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg. However, Cristiano Ronaldo's wonder strike in Portugal, backed up by a defensive masterclass, marked a return to form for the European titleholders and new English champions.
'Trigger'
Left-back Evra explained: "We started conceding goals and lost 4-1 against Liverpool at home, which was painful. It was the first time I'd lost two games in a row with United. But we picked ourselves up against Porto in the most telling game of the season. After it finished 2-2 at home, people thought we were out, but we told ourselves: 'The star has always been the team.' We went over there and showed our strength – that was the trigger."
Free-wheeling
After that night on 15 April, United won seven of their next nine games, with the title-clinching stalemate against Arsenal FC – their vanquished UEFA Champions League semi-final opponents – and a goalless FA Cup semi-final with Everton FC the only blips. Normal service resumed at Old Trafford, says the French international: "The basis is the defence, and I don't just say that as a defender. We know we can score at any time, but if we're not solid defensively we won't get anywhere. When we went to Porto and had to win 1-0, Cristiano scored that amazing goal, but we defenders were aware we couldn't concede otherwise we were out."
'Legend'
With the Premier League crown captured for the third successive season, United's campaign culminates in next Wednesday's Rome final against FC Barcelona. Their mission will only be accomplished, however, if they lift the European Champion Clubs' Cup at the Stadio Olimpico as in Moscow last May. "Is this team better than last year? I say at the same level, but if we win we'll definitely be better," added the 28-year-old, "because to win the Champions League twice in a row would be to enter into legend. It's been our motivation since last year. I remember the boss on the bus saying 'congratulations but I need you to be ready for next year'. That makes you ready to try and retain the trophy. That's been the aim.
Winners
"The hunger comes from the mentality of the club – winning is the culture. We hardly celebrated after the title and Champions League last year. I had the sense that for certain players it was normal. People forget we're human. So if we lose a game, as against Liverpool and Fulham, it's a catastrophe. But that helps you put pressure on yourself."
Fear
The flying full-back sounds expert at that, such is his determination to avoid losing a second UEFA Champions League final following defeat with AS Monaco FC, against Porto, in 2004. "It'll be my third final and I've always said my aim is to win three. I could have won two, I only have one, so I don't want to mess this up," he said. "With the second final, I felt more pressure. It was strange, because I'd been with Monaco and then with Manchester, a big team, there was more pressure. I don't want to lose another final."
Power
Key to victory this time will be winning the individual battles against a Barcelona side United overcame 1-0 on aggregate in last season's semi-final. "The game will hinge on various duels and the team that wins those duels will win the game," Evra argued. "It'll be a great final – two teams who like to play football. What could be better? It'll be magnificent, but we'll have to win the duels. We'll have to be strong and impose the power we have. We can play but we're also powerful.
Tactics
"Barcelona have an incredible attacking armada," he went on. "We played them home and away last season in the semi-final and managed not to concede – we did a fantastic job tactically. It's up to us to reproduce a performance like that, but we're used to playing finals and we'll play to score."
