IF EVER Manchester United needed to temper attacking inspiration with defensive prudence, then it will surely be tonight, when they will attempt to reach the final of the European Cup by overcoming Borussia Dortmund's slender 1-0 first-leg advantage at Old Trafford.
On paper, all that stands between United and a poignant return to Munich on May 2 8th, which would almost certainly involve an encounter with the holders Juventus, is the shot from Rene Tretschok which screwed into the net off Gary Pallister's foot in the Westphalia Stadium a fortnight ago. The reality, however, could be more daunting.
Dortmund are a free-scoring team and it is highly unlikely that they will fail to find the net again tonight. Alex Ferguson's players, therefore, will go into the match strongly suspecting that they will have to score at least three times to win this semi-final.
On the evidence of the first leg such a task should not be beyond United. In fact, they had enough chances to take a grip on that game before Dortmund won it.
Eric Cantona missed badly in the first hall, Nicky Butt hit a post early in the second and David Beckham was denied a goal by inspirational defending from Martin Kree.
Given such opportunities tonight, in front of their own crowd, Manchester United will be more likely to take them.
Ferguson is due to recall the in-form Ole Gunnar Solskyjaer far the improved, but still-profligate Andy Cole, and Cantona can hardly be as wasteful again. In addition United should have Ryan Giggs, the destroyer of Porto and leader of the vain, but gallant second-half recovery against Juventus, back to make life uncomfortable to Stefan Reuter.
Ferguson is convinced that United can get the goals and keep a clean sheet. He is banking on the return of Peter Schmeiehel, who pulled out injured at the last moment in Dortmund, and the solidity of his back four frustrating one of Germany's most prolific attacks. Only Stuttgart have scored more goals in the German league this season.
That might be easier said than done. Even with Roy Keane still able to mount patrol in front of United's defenders, it would have been difficult to stop the runs of Andreas Molter and Paulo Sousa. Now Keane is suspended and Dortmund's regular strikers, Karl Heinz Riedle and Stephane Chapuisat, both of whom missed the first game through injury, played in the 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich at the weekend.
If, as expected, Ferguson employs Ronnie Johnsen in Keane's role, with David May restored alongside Pallister at centre-back, United will not lack substance or solidity in their own half. But they will still be lacking Keane, and his absence could make all the difference.
In Germany, Molter and Sousa found the wit and pace to get behind Ferguson's defenders. What Dortmund lacked that night was incisive finishing. With Chapuisat back tonight, it could be a different story.
The English Premiership is full of exciting attacking football off-set by flabby defending and on occasions, the recent 3-2 home defeat by Derby County for instance, Manchester United's defending has been as flabby as anybody's. Ferguson will demand discipline, composure and, above all, concentration from his players.
Although Juergen Kohler is back for Dortmund, United have been spared the threat of Matthias Samme bringing the ball out from defence and giving them extra attacking options. The German sweeper, suspended in the first game, is out with a torn thigh muscle. However Ottmar Hitzfeld, the Dortmund coach, is Ferguson's equal when it comes to selectorial sleight of hand and United will only believe it when they see the team sheet.
In any case, as the earlier encounter showed, Dortmund are still well equipped to attack from the back. Heiko Heinrich frequently caught the eye with his runs on the left and may again be a threat tonight.
This will be English football's biggest night of the season so far, and that includes England's World Cup qualifier with Italy. Manchester United are practically Premiership champions for the fourth time in five years, but have reached a stage where their qualities need to be proved in the loftier European sphere.
By reaching the last four in the Champions League, Alex Ferguson has already set new standards post-Heysel. Arsenal, Leeds, Blackburn and Manchester United themselves have previously struggled to come to terms with the demands of the modern tournament.
Now United have a priceless opportunity to pick up the thread of success lost by Liverpool on a tragic evening in Brussels in 1985, while giving themselves a chance to emulate the European Cup triumph achieved by the team of George Best and Bobby Charlton in 1968. They can do it, but the portents favour Dortmund.
