Giggs eyes Euro defence

Published: 28 Apr 2009 - 10:49:24

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Ryan Giggs is determined to play his part in helping Manchester United become the first team to defend the UEFA Champions League. The Red Devils lifted the trophy in Moscow after a tense shootout win over Chelsea last season, with the Welshman scoring what was ultimately the winning penalty. And the 35-year-old is keen to experience that feeling again. Ever since the Champions League's inception in the 1992/93 season no team has ever won the tournament back-to-back, with AC Milan, Ajax and Juventus going closest to retaining their crown in losing the final after winning the tournament the previous year. With the holders facing Arsenal in the first-leg of their semi-final tie at Old Trafford on Wednesday, the newly crowned PFA Player of the Year admits the task is a difficult one. "It's a massive challenge," he said. Difficult task"There is a reason why nobody has done it, because it is really, really difficult. "We had the challenge of going out to Porto, it was backs against the wall against a really good team but we came through it. "We'll need a similar two performances against Arsenal because they are playing well at the moment."