Manchester United FC centre-back Nemanja Vidić believes his side's explosive five-goal, second-half performance against Tottenham Hotspur FC on Saturday has set the standard they need to maintain against Arsenal FC in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford. United were 2-0 down at half-time against Tottenham before hitting five unanswered strikes to complete a remarkable 5-2 victory and maintain their three point-lead at the top of the Premier League. It was the fifth time in nine games, however, that United have conceded twice or more and after letting in two in the home leg of their quarter-final against FC Porto, the 27-year-old Serbian international knows United can ill afford to slip up against the in-form Gunners on Wednesday.
UEFA: What did that recovery on Saturday against Tottenham, to come back from 2-0 down to win 5-2, say about this United side?
Nemanja Vidić: Our first goal changed the game because it made the crowd more excited, the players felt they could win the game. Definitely that is how we have to play from the beginning, not just when we are chasing the game. But we are pleased with our game in the second half and most importantly we won.
UEFA: How important is that result and second-half performance ahead of the game against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League?
Vidić: It's important, especially for the players up front as they gained confidence. We scored five goals in something like 25 minutes. We played some good football. Obviously in the first half we didn't defend very well and conceded two goals. It's not usual for this team to lose two goals in the first half. But the second half we came back much stronger and that is how we need to play against Arsenal and any team we play against.
UEFA: Is it cause for concern to have conceded twice? What has gone wrong at the back?
Vidić: It just happens. Sometimes things go wrong. We try to fix the problems we have had in the last games, but we need to remember as well that we have changed many players. We have not played with a consistent team at the back, even in the middle or up front. We have so many games that sometimes you have to change the team and sometimes you need time to adapt.
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UEFA: Arsenal may be familiar opponents, but will it be different playing them in Europe?
Vidić: It's a different game. It's a cup game, two legs. We have the first game at home so we need to do well, we need to score goals, we especially have to improve on what has not been good in the last few games. To not concede a goal is very important. But we have players who can score, players who believe in themselves and I definitely think it will be a good game. The most important thing is that all the players are ready. We are going to be ready on Wednesday.
UEFA: Emmanuel Adebayor up front, Cesc Fàbregas's passing, Theo Walcott's pace. Who is Arsenal's biggest threat?
Vidić: The whole team, they have quality in every position. They are missing a few players but like we saw in the last few games, the players who replaced them have done really well as well. It's going to be about small differences. One mistake can change the game, one mistake can make the winners. Like I said, it is very important we don't concede a goal at home.
UEFA: How much do you relish testing yourself in a duel with a striker such as Adebayor?
Vidić: He's a great player and has the ability to score. He is big and strong and in that respect you have to expect a hard game against such an opponent. But we have played against him before, we know how good he is and we will try to do our best to stop him from scoring. But not just him, Fàbregas, Walcott, Nasri – they have good players you can't focus just on one.
UEFA: Is it a disadvantage playing the second leg away?
Vidić: An advantage for them, I think. In the first game they will obviously try to take home a good result, maybe try to score a goal because the away goal means double. I think in that respect they are in a better position than we are.
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