50 YEARS ON, WHAT HAPPENED IN SARAJEVO?
Fifty years ago today [Wednesday], Manchester United took another step on the road to winning the European Cup with a 0-0 draw at Sarajevo.
With thanks to MUTV, and newspaper reports at the time, we look back at the first-leg stalemate at the Kosevo Stadium in the former Yugoslavia, now the Bosnian capital. Following a goalless encounter in the previous round at Hibernians Malta, the same scoreline was deemed a positive result ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
It proved to be a difficult tie, despite the hosts being down to 10 men, and one that was big on controversy...
How did it feel to play at such a historic location?
"Sarajevo had quite a history, world history, of course," said David Sadler, in reference to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand that sparked World War I. "Footballers weren't terribly interested in that, I guess, but we were very much aware of it. It was very different to Malta. The Sarajevo people supported their team and they really wanted to beat us so it was an interesting trip."
"Sarajevo had quite a history, world history, of course," said David Sadler, in reference to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand that sparked World War I. "Footballers weren't terribly interested in that, I guess, but we were very much aware of it. It was very different to Malta. The Sarajevo people supported their team and they really wanted to beat us so it was an interesting trip."
How arduous was the trip back then?
"It was not like today," explained Alex Stepney. "They fly, play the game and fly straight back. We went through to Dubrovnik [now in Croatia] and it was a six-hour coach journey through the mountains and into Sarajevo. It was an ordeal."
"It was not like today," explained Alex Stepney. "They fly, play the game and fly straight back. We went through to Dubrovnik [now in Croatia] and it was a six-hour coach journey through the mountains and into Sarajevo. It was an ordeal."
What was the team news?
Star striker Denis Law was suspended while Nobby Stiles missed out due to injury. John Fitzpatrick deputised for midfield terrier Stiles, who said: "Fitzy came in and did a fantastic job. He was great in the air, far better than me, and tremendous at that time. He would play in midfield as well, John, so he did a great job." Brian Kidd was asked to lead the line in the absence of Law.
Star striker Denis Law was suspended while Nobby Stiles missed out due to injury. John Fitzpatrick deputised for midfield terrier Stiles, who said: "Fitzy came in and did a fantastic job. He was great in the air, far better than me, and tremendous at that time. He would play in midfield as well, John, so he did a great job." Brian Kidd was asked to lead the line in the absence of Law.
Did the weather play a part?
The freezing conditions did not benefit the hosts, according to Sir Bobby Charlton, who actually felt the snowy surface worked against Sarajevo. "It was freezing cold," he said. "We had compact snow pressed down about six inches high and, in a way, that made it better for the away team because we didn't have to worry about going at them and, every time they made an attempt at attacking our goals, they floundered really."
The freezing conditions did not benefit the hosts, according to Sir Bobby Charlton, who actually felt the snowy surface worked against Sarajevo. "It was freezing cold," he said. "We had compact snow pressed down about six inches high and, in a way, that made it better for the away team because we didn't have to worry about going at them and, every time they made an attempt at attacking our goals, they floundered really."
Why were Sarajevo up against it?
The home side lost Bosko Prodanovic after only 35 minutes with a knee injury. He attempted to play on but was unable to continue after treatment, leaving his side down to 10 men in front of 45,000 passionate fans.
The home side lost Bosko Prodanovic after only 35 minutes with a knee injury. He attempted to play on but was unable to continue after treatment, leaving his side down to 10 men in front of 45,000 passionate fans.
How did the game go?
The Daily Telegraph reported United saw the game out professionally, rather than going all-out for the win. Stepney made good saves to deny Bosko Antic and Fahrudin Prljaca while Tony Dunne, Paddy Crerand and Bill Foulkes were all praised for being "outstandingly firm" in their defensive work. Kidd had the Reds' best efforts, an overhead kick that was off target and a shot tipped over by Refik Muftic in the second half. But that's not mentioning the main talking point of the match.
The Daily Telegraph reported United saw the game out professionally, rather than going all-out for the win. Stepney made good saves to deny Bosko Antic and Fahrudin Prljaca while Tony Dunne, Paddy Crerand and Bill Foulkes were all praised for being "outstandingly firm" in their defensive work. Kidd had the Reds' best efforts, an overhead kick that was off target and a shot tipped over by Refik Muftic in the second half. But that's not mentioning the main talking point of the match.
Ah, the disallowed 'goal'. What happened?
It was certainly controversial and the bitterness among the hosts at the wrongdoing simmered throughout the contest. With 24 minutes on the clock, Vahidin Musemic's shot was only half stopped by Stepney and Dunne's clearance appeared to come too late with the ball already over the line. However, the linesman failed to flag to award the goal. Maybe think Pedro Mendes against United in 2005?
It was certainly controversial and the bitterness among the hosts at the wrongdoing simmered throughout the contest. With 24 minutes on the clock, Vahidin Musemic's shot was only half stopped by Stepney and Dunne's clearance appeared to come too late with the ball already over the line. However, the linesman failed to flag to award the goal. Maybe think Pedro Mendes against United in 2005?
How did Sarajevo's resentment manifest itself?
"They kicked us from pillar to post," recounted Crerand. George Best and Kidd came in for some particularly harsh treatment, although Best almost set up one opportunity for Fitzpatrick. "I loved those type of games," said Fitzpatrick. "But I remember the place being a wee bit frightening actually, as there was a lot going on at that particular time."
"They kicked us from pillar to post," recounted Crerand. George Best and Kidd came in for some particularly harsh treatment, although Best almost set up one opportunity for Fitzpatrick. "I loved those type of games," said Fitzpatrick. "But I remember the place being a wee bit frightening actually, as there was a lot going on at that particular time."
What was Sir Matt Busby's reaction?
It's fair to say the boss was not pleased with some of the challenges on his players. "You had to run up some steps into the dressing room and it's the first time I'd seen Matt Busby so annoyed," said Stepney. "He never really swore but he really had a go at their team as they came off the pitch and called them dirty so and sos. It was the first time I saw him so angry. Matt's philosophy was you've got to get at least a draw away and win the home game. If you don't win the home tie, you don't deserve to get through. That was the kind of thing he used to say to us so, to draw 0-0 away, was a great result."
It's fair to say the boss was not pleased with some of the challenges on his players. "You had to run up some steps into the dressing room and it's the first time I'd seen Matt Busby so annoyed," said Stepney. "He never really swore but he really had a go at their team as they came off the pitch and called them dirty so and sos. It was the first time I saw him so angry. Matt's philosophy was you've got to get at least a draw away and win the home game. If you don't win the home tie, you don't deserve to get through. That was the kind of thing he used to say to us so, to draw 0-0 away, was a great result."
So it was all set up for a stormy second leg...
Yes. There was the feeling United would go on to finish the job but Sarajevo were never going to submit easily. As proved to be the case...
Yes. There was the feeling United would go on to finish the job but Sarajevo were never going to submit easily. As proved to be the case...
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