FERGIE WANTS THE SPIRIT OF '99

Last updated : 27 February 2005 By Editor

Fergie:

"This is a similar situation to when we went to Turin in 1999.

"There will be a great atmosphere, we will have fantastic support with us and let's hope we can do it. We still have a great opportunity.

"Our record and our ability to play away from home, with the experience we have got will help.

"Wednesday's was probably one of the best European games you could get. We just lacked that composure in our finishing.

"If we had calmed ourselves down we would have been in front.

"In the second half, when they started to give the ball away, I thought we were in a position to win the match. But they scored and it was difficult after that.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy will have two more games under his belt by the time we go to Italy, and those will bring him on much better than he was on Wednesday. After three months out he needed a game, obviously, but he has that great knack of getting chances.

"His record in European football is better than anything going around at the moment. So if we can score that goal then the whole game changes round."