To write or not to write? What kind of a question is that anyway? It's a Barcelona Manchester United final! The Champions League finale! The biggest game of the season! The best passers of the game versus the one of the best tactically gifted teams in the world! A team that strikes fear into any opposition - that's obvious, it's Barcelona; and a team that are capable of soaking up the pressure and that can attack on the counter - Manchester United. Two great coaches. An Englishman who's won almost everything and never ceased to stop working to win more, while the other is one of the youngest coaches to amass so many accolades in his short but glittering career. 22 plus extremely talented players on one pitch on a night that promises so much for fans and neutrals.
TO WRITE.
Ahhh. Here goes..
So it is the game that I'm sure everyone is looking forward to. Two teams who arguably deserve to be here today, contesting for European supremacy. Two finals ago, these two teams battled it out in Rome, but it was the Catalans who came out on top with a two nil win, and deservedly so. In a replay final due to set Wembley on fire tonight, there'll be little in choosing between these two teams. Sure, they've both moved on since 2009 and they've both gone on to strengthen their squads, and win their respective leagues this year - just as they both did when they last met. But tonight, that will count for nothing. I hope. It all boils down to how it boils down to nerves, composure, and ability to stay on your feet. This applies to us fans as well.
Barcelona have left us spellbound by their fabulous flow of football, that's as good as watching all the Miss Universe contestants in their bikinis in the swimsuit round, if not better than. Its unbelievable how they've managed to sustain that ideology for many years now with the numerous transitions with players and coaches alike. It's like a religion. But only a select few can spread that joy around. Unsurprisingly, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are those men who sort of preach what they practice. They are the heart of their team no doubt. You could probably take out one of the tri-riffic players and they might still leave you standing or sitting helplessly as they pass the parcel around until the music stops. And it's only when the music stops that they've either scored a goal. or have been professionally fouled! They've got this fearlessness ingrained in them and belief that they can dismantle any team they play against. You can just, never, write off Barcelona.
Yes, Barcelona have also left us jaw dropped in the wake of their recent 'act your way to success' with nominees like Busquets Villa and Alves - all fighting for that olympic medal for which even Michael Phelps will find stiff competition ( or players who wither at the drop of a hat ) with these guys. It's something that really left me speechless for the first time about such a good team. And not in a good way of course... they taint their beautiful football by throwing arms around and faking injuries trying to get the opposite number sent off. I really don't want to be drawn into this and I shouldn't. Barcelona are much better than the other kind of 'tricks' that they seem to be pulling off at the moment and let's hope that they put in a good and true account of their former selves.
Manchester United. My team. I have to admit that we've not had any major opposition in getting to the finals with the exception of Chelsea in the QF's. But then again, we were always blessed with a second leg home tie all knockout rounds against Marseille, Chelsea and Shalke. We've had Valencia thrown back into the middle of this congested season in March and he's done exceptionally well ever since. We've not had any injury concerns and we also won the league with relative ease - or should I just say that we were the best of the worst this season. Maybe that's a bit too harsh but I believe that's true. Still, full respect to United for keeping their eye on the ball as always, with a little bit belief thrown in there where we never give up and the experience to top it all off. So, that's the kind of mix we can take with us into this game tonight.
We've done well since Ronaldo's departure and we've also played like more of a squad since then. It took a year to get used to that void left by the Portuguese winger and now we're in the finals only because of our togetherness as a team, a willingness to sacrifice for the team, an understanding of each of the players that goes with it and belief that we always score. So I suppose that we should be stronger than back then. We don't have a focal point anymore and although Rooney is one of our main players, other's have stepped up to. Giggs, Valencia and Park have all contributed immensely. Goals have come in from both the flanks and through the middle. So, there's a lot more potent threat going for us than people give us credit for otherwise.
Anyway, I'm sure tonight's game will give us something the previous final between these two didn't - A full ninety minute game. And possibly extra time. Its in England. It sort of counts as a home game for United and it is with hope more than anything else, that I want it to aid Manchester United in battle against a Mighty Barcelona. The atmosphere will be wild and what would I give to be there right now! even if its six hours before kick off! I have been waiting for this moment for a while now. It looks like Barca will still play with a bulk of the possession at their feet while United need to be focused and determined more than their last final. That previous one sucked the life out of United after a 10th minute strike from Eto'o. But it looks like it will be a very different contest this time around.
Barcelona will attack and while I expect them to score in 5 out of every one attempt, United need to make it one out of one if they are to give themselves any chance of a victory. Barca's defense isn't the strongest and United will need to capitalize on those quick breaks. United will need to keep a watertight defense. It's hard to keep the tri-riffic barca players out. Their movement is so quick, they can get past you and score without you even knowing it! United will need to really keep their concentration and discipline intact - something thats worked well for us so far. I believe that we can give Barcelona a competitive game. It'll be tough, but that's the beauty of it no?!
The one thing that has worked for United throughout this campaign is consistency. We've had Rooney and Chicharito starting up front with Carrick, Giggs Valencia and Park holding that midfield and pushing up and down when needed. Our defense has seen only two positions rotate - Ferdinand for Smalling and Fabio and O'shea for Rafael. Van Der Sar has stayed put. So there's an understanding here. There's reason to feel confident. We know what we're up against and there's only so much you can prepare for it. We are the underdogs playing against the best team in world football. But football is a funny game.
Barcelona accentuate ease, flair when they move the ball, and at times the audacity to score a brilliant goal or two. And they too, do it consistently. They can run you scared when they are at their best. Even when they aren't, they can find something within them to pull a late win or a late draw out of the hat. They are the favourites and rightly so. They've been the best in Europe so far alongside Man United and Chelsea in recent years. But you just know that when Barca have the ball, they can score at will. They have an enviable attack in Messi, Villa and Pedro. They are just as good as United's front line. But if they ever need to justify their tag of being favourites to win, then their defense has got to match United's pace up front too.
Both these clubs play at an intense pace and I think United will have their work cut out for them. They will need to be a lot more adventurous if they want to match Barcelona. They both are the best teams in Europe by a long shot having made it to three semi finals in four years and they both share two Champions League Trophies between them in a span of three years. So it looks promising! Lets hope that this game lives up to its hype.
It's Barcelona v/s Manchester United!!! Here are my squads. I hope I get them right. And even if I'm wrong, I hope the changed squad disappoints Barca fans!
BARCELONA (4-4-3) All out attack.
Josep Guardiola
Valdes
Alves Pique Puyol Abidal
Busquets Iniesta Xavi
Pedro Messi Villa
I don't see a lot of inspired substitutions being made although krkic and Mascherano can cause a little bit of problems. Actually, that may aid United. Get Mascherano riled up and we'll be a man up! Kidding! Considering Abidal was just treated for Cancer, he is the an experienced player. But if he isn't fit for tonight, expect Milito to take his place.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-1-1) Why change a winning formula?
Sir Alex Ferguson
Van Der Sar
O'shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Giggs Park
Rooney
Hernandez
Unlike Barcelona, United have a host of substitutes who can probably change the game. Anderson, Nani and Berbatov will be used at some stage if the match goes into extra time. Here, I see Ferguson going for experience and if O'shea is fit, he will start. Fabio second choice at Right back.
However unlikely this may look, if this game does go into extra time, I would tip United to edge this game. They look like they have more plenty of reserves. Barcelona, though will want to wrap this game up in ninety minutes or less.
Can Barcelona prove that they are indeed human and falter? Can United pull off an upset and prove their critics who all of this season have billed them as one of the worst Man Untied squads till date? Or will it be Barcelona who expectedly wins their fourth cup since the Champions League was reformatted last millennium?
* * *
TO WRITE.
So it is the game that I'm sure everyone is looking forward to. Two teams who arguably deserve to be here today, contesting for European supremacy. Two finals ago, these two teams battled it out in Rome, but it was the Catalans who came out on top with a two nil win, and deservedly so. In a replay final due to set Wembley on fire tonight, there'll be little in choosing between these two teams. Sure, they've both moved on since 2009 and they've both gone on to strengthen their squads, and win their respective leagues this year - just as they both did when they last met. But tonight, that will count for nothing. I hope. It all boils down to how it boils down to nerves, composure, and ability to stay on your feet. This applies to us fans as well.
Barcelona have left us spellbound by their fabulous flow of football, that's as good as watching all the Miss Universe contestants in their bikinis in the swimsuit round, if not better than. Its unbelievable how they've managed to sustain that ideology for many years now with the numerous transitions with players and coaches alike. It's like a religion. But only a select few can spread that joy around. Unsurprisingly, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are those men who sort of preach what they practice. They are the heart of their team no doubt. You could probably take out one of the tri-riffic players and they might still leave you standing or sitting helplessly as they pass the parcel around until the music stops. And it's only when the music stops that they've either scored a goal. or have been professionally fouled! They've got this fearlessness ingrained in them and belief that they can dismantle any team they play against. You can just, never, write off Barcelona.
Manchester United. My team. I have to admit that we've not had any major opposition in getting to the finals with the exception of Chelsea in the QF's. But then again, we were always blessed with a second leg home tie all knockout rounds against Marseille, Chelsea and Shalke. We've had Valencia thrown back into the middle of this congested season in March and he's done exceptionally well ever since. We've not had any injury concerns and we also won the league with relative ease - or should I just say that we were the best of the worst this season. Maybe that's a bit too harsh but I believe that's true. Still, full respect to United for keeping their eye on the ball as always, with a little bit belief thrown in there where we never give up and the experience to top it all off. So, that's the kind of mix we can take with us into this game tonight.
We've done well since Ronaldo's departure and we've also played like more of a squad since then. It took a year to get used to that void left by the Portuguese winger and now we're in the finals only because of our togetherness as a team, a willingness to sacrifice for the team, an understanding of each of the players that goes with it and belief that we always score. So I suppose that we should be stronger than back then. We don't have a focal point anymore and although Rooney is one of our main players, other's have stepped up to. Giggs, Valencia and Park have all contributed immensely. Goals have come in from both the flanks and through the middle. So, there's a lot more potent threat going for us than people give us credit for otherwise.
Anyway, I'm sure tonight's game will give us something the previous final between these two didn't - A full ninety minute game. And possibly extra time. Its in England. It sort of counts as a home game for United and it is with hope more than anything else, that I want it to aid Manchester United in battle against a Mighty Barcelona. The atmosphere will be wild and what would I give to be there right now! even if its six hours before kick off! I have been waiting for this moment for a while now. It looks like Barca will still play with a bulk of the possession at their feet while United need to be focused and determined more than their last final. That previous one sucked the life out of United after a 10th minute strike from Eto'o. But it looks like it will be a very different contest this time around.
Barcelona will attack and while I expect them to score in 5 out of every one attempt, United need to make it one out of one if they are to give themselves any chance of a victory. Barca's defense isn't the strongest and United will need to capitalize on those quick breaks. United will need to keep a watertight defense. It's hard to keep the tri-riffic barca players out. Their movement is so quick, they can get past you and score without you even knowing it! United will need to really keep their concentration and discipline intact - something thats worked well for us so far. I believe that we can give Barcelona a competitive game. It'll be tough, but that's the beauty of it no?!
The one thing that has worked for United throughout this campaign is consistency. We've had Rooney and Chicharito starting up front with Carrick, Giggs Valencia and Park holding that midfield and pushing up and down when needed. Our defense has seen only two positions rotate - Ferdinand for Smalling and Fabio and O'shea for Rafael. Van Der Sar has stayed put. So there's an understanding here. There's reason to feel confident. We know what we're up against and there's only so much you can prepare for it. We are the underdogs playing against the best team in world football. But football is a funny game.
Barcelona accentuate ease, flair when they move the ball, and at times the audacity to score a brilliant goal or two. And they too, do it consistently. They can run you scared when they are at their best. Even when they aren't, they can find something within them to pull a late win or a late draw out of the hat. They are the favourites and rightly so. They've been the best in Europe so far alongside Man United and Chelsea in recent years. But you just know that when Barca have the ball, they can score at will. They have an enviable attack in Messi, Villa and Pedro. They are just as good as United's front line. But if they ever need to justify their tag of being favourites to win, then their defense has got to match United's pace up front too.
Both these clubs play at an intense pace and I think United will have their work cut out for them. They will need to be a lot more adventurous if they want to match Barcelona. They both are the best teams in Europe by a long shot having made it to three semi finals in four years and they both share two Champions League Trophies between them in a span of three years. So it looks promising! Lets hope that this game lives up to its hype.
It's Barcelona v/s Manchester United!!! Here are my squads. I hope I get them right. And even if I'm wrong, I hope the changed squad disappoints Barca fans!
BARCELONA (4-4-3) All out attack.
Josep Guardiola
Valdes
Alves Pique Puyol Abidal
Busquets Iniesta Xavi
Pedro Messi Villa
I don't see a lot of inspired substitutions being made although krkic and Mascherano can cause a little bit of problems. Actually, that may aid United. Get Mascherano riled up and we'll be a man up! Kidding! Considering Abidal was just treated for Cancer, he is the an experienced player. But if he isn't fit for tonight, expect Milito to take his place.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-1-1) Why change a winning formula?
Sir Alex Ferguson
Van Der Sar
O'shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Giggs Park
Rooney
Hernandez
Unlike Barcelona, United have a host of substitutes who can probably change the game. Anderson, Nani and Berbatov will be used at some stage if the match goes into extra time. Here, I see Ferguson going for experience and if O'shea is fit, he will start. Fabio second choice at Right back.
However unlikely this may look, if this game does go into extra time, I would tip United to edge this game. They look like they have more plenty of reserves. Barcelona, though will want to wrap this game up in ninety minutes or less.
Can Barcelona prove that they are indeed human and falter? Can United pull off an upset and prove their critics who all of this season have billed them as one of the worst Man Untied squads till date? Or will it be Barcelona who expectedly wins their fourth cup since the Champions League was reformatted last millennium?
* * *
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