Manchester United versus FC Barcelona, perhaps Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi, who are we kidding? This will be a mind game between the experience of the Great Scot and the sheer youthful exuberance of the Spaniard, surely? Predictions, did anyone get a royal flush in their poker game today. For all us football lovers, the one thing we have learnt, cried about, laughed about is that this game called football is a battlefield of fine lines and only the brave dare cross. Let’s face it; this is the final the world wanted. Whether through an act of God, or an act of a man, or men take your pick, Chelsea fell short. Any true football lover however must admit a Barcelona win constituted a win for football. The football that they have played over the preceding nine months has been breath taking to say the least. Messi, Iniesta, Eto’o, Henry, the whole Barcelona team have displayed an electric, sometimes inhuman expression of beautiful attacking prowess and class, who can stand in the way of the mighty FC Barcelona? Two Goals in eleven minutes and Manchester United were into their second Champions League final in two years. I may upset some
Arsenal supporters when I say this, but to quote Patrice Evra it simply was “Men against babies” in that tie at the Emirates stadium. The pedigree and pure class shone through this Manchester United team, from their daunting defensive partnerships to their ruthless attack, they displayed professionalism, patience and an uncanny ability to control a game which speaks volumes for a team which is a mere sample of what they were only a year ago.
In the last twenty-five years, since their first meeting in the 1984-85 season, Manchester United and Barcelona have clashed nine times. The English Champions hold the slight advantage with three wins compared with two for the Spanish Champions, with four draws also on the cards. If history is anything to base assumptions, Manchester United hold the edge having won the only final the two have played in, that is, the European Cup Winners Cup in 1991. But hey, let’s be realistic, history will play no part here. Sir Alex was quoted as saying this will be a free flowing affair, pitting two of the best attacking teams in the world, who is ready to put their house on that one?
The simple truth is that this game will be won and lost based on the intricate realities of each team. Manchester United is arguably the most balanced team in European football, their defensive capabilities are second to none, and excluding Barcelona, it can be argued that United have the best attacking force as well. Barcelona on the other hand is woeful defensively, whether that is down to their overemphasis on scoring, or the inability of their defense to keep a clean sheet is up for debate. I do think however that this is where Barcelona will lose. Sir Alex will have to send his Chelsea counterpart a bottle of his famous wine for showing him that this Barcelona team can be stopped, but they will be more than stopped, they will be beaten.
Sure Barcelona will keep the ball, they will be pretty in possession, but don’t forget the ballon d’Or winner still has another forty ton rocket to release into Rome’s night sky and Victor Valdez has been a prime candidate for missing in action more than a few times this season. Do not be surprised to see the shots being fired from far and wide by the World Player of the Year from the offset. Lionel Messi has a point to prove as well, he has yet to show me the extra drive that it takes to beat the best teams in the world as was shown when Chelsea made him an insignificant figure, as quite frankly, for those who will cite the Clasico as an example, embarrassing a Madrid side that is as solid as the rain drops rolling down my window is no great feat, just ask Steven Gerrard.
With that out of my system and more than a few enemies made, I will once again stick my neck out and put my money on a United win. It takes more than a goal blitz to win a Champions league final, It takes the bravery to cross that fine line, the finesse to do it gracefully, as well as, the grit to be counted as the best in the world.
BeatBookies pick: Manchester United to Win
Bookie: 188Bet
Odds: 2.77
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I strongly believe Man. United will go all the way to win this title for the second time again.
No doubt Man United will bring that trophy to Old trafford.
With all the quality players they have iam sure they will be granted european champhions this year again. Ronaldo and Rooney presence is enough to dream of being champhions.
Due to all the hard work Man have put on this season,they deserve the Trophy.Hope they can take the trophy home.Go Man U
BASING ON BARCELONA’S ATTACKING PROWESS,M.UNITED’S DEFENDERS WILL BE WITH MORE PROBLEMS
i’m sure MUnu will win this game
i will love lioness messi to win the title becos i love him and how he play his football and cos i am a great lefty and they should not give space for ronaldo cos thier is pride in him messi the destroyer should try all he can to wil that competition.any way barca already has the cup i love inesta,henry,etoo
MESSI THE GREATEST
barcelona is the team of the moment,definitely the cup is theirs.
expect the unexpected Man U.is going down today . Barca will rule europe again it is just few hours to Rome finals .Man U fans should be ready to accept the defeat with the spirit of sportsmanship
No doubt Manchester is going to win the match and continue making history. Ronaldo will destroy barcelona fc with his thunder shot, and Ronnie will seal the deal, trust me.
No one like players of man united so we are going to win this game tonight by any means. Jeff from Tanzania.
Barca is winning the match. iam quite sure that it is gonna be a tough match.
Messi is going to be so mercilless on MAN U.
OF COURSE IS GOING TO BE A THOUGH MATCH, BUT GUESS WHAT BARCELONA IS THE THOUGHEST TEAM, LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO BARCAS CATALANES,
OF COURSE IS GONNA BE A THOUGH MATCH, BUT GUESS WHAT BARCELONA IS THE THOUGHEST TEAM, LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO BARCAS CATALANES, 3 CUPS IN ONE MONTHS, UNSTOPBABLES
The best team really won the trophy for 2009.
Every body can see who’s th best team, hahaha BARCA number 1.