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Champions League Final Preview
Published by Ian John on May 26, 2009
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With the distractions of the final league game out of the way for Manchester United and Barcelona already having sewn up their own domestic league success a ten days ago, both clubs will have spent the last week, if not longer, in special preparations for Wednesday night’s hugely anticipated clash between arguably the two finest sides in world football at present.
It is the English side who go into the final in the best of health with only Owen Hargreaves a possible starter denied to United through injury. Rio Ferdinand’s expected recovery for the game notwithstanding. For Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, he will have to shuffle his pack. Injuries have robbed the Catalans of Gabriel Milito and Rafael Marquez in defence and with Eric Abidal and Dani Alves also suspended for the final, Guardiola will have to rearrange his back line somewhat to put out a back line capable of dealing with the attacking threat posed by the English champions.
How do the teams match up? Well let’s break it down position by position through the probable starters;
Goalkeepers
Edwin Van Der Sar (Manchester United) 8/10
The Dutchman has had his critics at times this season, but has recovered his form well over the second half of the campaign to ensure he is still first choice at Old Trafford and a calming influence on the defence. Excellent positionally and a solid all round keeper.
Victor Valdes (Barcelona) 7/10
Valdes is a decent shot stopper. However he has had times this season where his performances have been savaged by the Spanish press. Much will depend on his influence on what looks like being a relatively untried and inexperienced Barcelona back line. If Valdes isn’t on his game. United could win at a canter.
Right Backs
John O’Shea (Manchester United) 7/10
What O’Shea lacks in attacking gusto and skill, he makes up for in being reliable, consistent and solid defensively. Considering he will more than likely be facing Thierry Henry most of the evening, it is easy to see why Sir Alex Ferguson would plump for O’Shea’s tenacity and defensive skills, over Rafael’s attacking skills. O’Shea now seems to have won the right back slot ahead of the injury prone Gary Neville and Wes Brown.
Martin Cacares (Barcelona) 6/10
Don’t misunderstand me here, Cacares is a fine footballer and certainly one for the future, but he is likely to be playing out of position in a crucial area of the field and have to nullify the threat of Wayne Rooney. He won’t offer as much going forward as the suspended Dani Alves, but he may be stronger defensively. However Cacares is a centre half by trade, and one wonders if Guardiola is tempted to swap Puyol and Cacares over?
Left Backs
Patrice Evra (Manchester United) 8/10
The Manchester United left back proclaimed himself the best left back in the world this week. He will have plenty of chance to prove that assertion when facing up to Lionel Messi on Wednesday evening. A solid defender and technically excellent footballer, Evra will be a key player for United in keeping the threat of Lionel Messi quiet.
Sylvinho (Barcelona) 7/10
The Brazillian is not a massive downgrade on the suspended Eric Abidal and his experience of English football will no doubt stand him in good stead for the game. However he has not played much football over the season and his experience as a defender may be more important to Barcelona, as his tendency to get forward to assist in attacks.
Centre Back Pairings
Nemanja Vidic & Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) 9.5/10
Without doubt the classiest central defensive partnership in world football at the moment. Vidic’s never say die spirit, power, aerial ability and strength is perfectly allied to Ferdinand’s cleverness, intelligence, ability on the ball and pace. United look a far stronger side when the pair of them are together, though Samuel Eto’o will take comfort from the problems Fernando Torres gave them at Old Trafford a few months back.
Carlos Puyol & Gerard Pique (Barcelona) 8/10
The one crumb of comfort for Barcelona as regards their defensive situation is that Pique and Puyol can still play alongside each other. Pique, a former Manchester United player, came in early season for the injured Gabriel Milito and has quickly become a darling of the Barcelona fans with some excellent performances. Puyol too is a fan hero for his never say die attitude and spirit. However neither is the tallest and there have been real concerns with Barcelona’s ability to defend in the air in recent times.
The Central Midfield Trio.
Michael Carrick, Anderson and Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) 8/10
Darren Fletcher’s absence through suspension means veteran Ryan Giggs will probably get the nod ahead of Paul Scholes. Carrick and Anderson offer the side excellent protection as well as clever passing and movement when going forward. If the midfield has a weakness it is that it doesn’t offer a significant goal threat, but Sir Alex is more than likely to base his decision on this area on their defensive capabilities, rather than their attacking.
Yaya Toure, Xavi, Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) 9/10
Any midfield boasting Spanish regulars Xavi and Iniesta is going to be something special and indeed that is the case with the Catalan side. Toure acts as the defensive enforcer allowing Xavi and Iniesta to support the attack from deeper lying midfield roles that often pull out defences and give their attacking players the time and space to attack teams. Not to mention their wonderfully creative passing skills. The heart of the Barcelona team and it is absolutely vital they win the midfield battle if Barcelona are to have any chance of success on Wednesday night.
Right Wingers
Park Ji Sung (Manchester United) 8/10
Have I taken leave of my senses? No, because I believe Sir Alex will adopt a 4-5-1 formation to match Barcelona and Park, after missing out last year in heartbreaking circumstances, will take to the field for the game and play down the right hand side. His tussle with Sylvinho should be an interesting one as the Korean has a fantastic level of energy and fitness and could well tire the ageing Brazillian in the latter stages.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 10/10
If Barcelona are to win, then Lionel Messi needs to have plenty of the ball and to play well. If he gets both of these, then Barcelona stand a great chance of lifting the trophy. The Argentinian is a once in a lifetime player, blessed with a quickness, deftness of touch and level of skill rarely seen. His battle with Patrice Evra could well be the defining battle of the final.
Left Wingers
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) 9.5/10
Rooney’s immense value to United cannot be understated. While Ronaldo may take the plaudits, it is Rooney that has become the emblem of United’s fight and never say die attitude. Allied to the fact he will be up against a relatively untried right back, this could well be the night when Wayne Rooney re-announced himself onto the world stage as a real contender for best player in the world.
Thierry Henry (Barcelona) 9/10
A couple of years back Henry could have been a 10, at least a 9.5, but given his age and even given the excellent season he has had, he is not quite the player he once was. Still blessed with pace, superb technique and ability and a real goal threat, his skills will not be underestimated. However his levels of fitness will be a worry with him only recently coming back from injury.
Centre Forward
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) 10/10
What Messi is to Barcelona, then Ronaldo is to Manchester United. The Portuguese star terrorised Arsenal in a lone striker role at the Emirates in the Semi Final and he will be asked to do the same again to another shaky defence in Rome. If Ronaldo plays well, United’s chances of success will be increased greatly and I am sure Puyol and Pique are already having a few sleepless nights wondering how to cope with the Portuguese star.
Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona) 9/10
At his very best, Eto’o would be a 9.5, maybe even a 10, but the striker has been struggling for form of late, as witnessed by his misfiring performance against Real Mallorca. Despite scoring, he missed several gilt edged chances which would have Barcelona fans a little concerned if the profligacy in front of goal carries over into Wednesday night’s game. However, on the upside, Eto’o has the potential to be a matchwinner himself and if he is on form, Vidic and Ferdinand will have to be at their very best.
The Verdict? Two well matched sides, both with sensational attacking talent. However the key to me looks to be United’s greater defensive stability. There is no way Barcelona can hold United out for ninety minutes and this game could well turn into a modern classic, in the same way Milan V Liverpool did a few years earlier. I predict goals aplenty, but in the end I expect Manchester United to triumph, by three goals to two. However if a certain Mr Messi turns it on, that scoreline could well be the other way around.
Image courtesy of **pop design** at flickr.com
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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4 so far
Nabyl Charania on Wed, 27th May 2009 8:46 am
Getting ready for the champs league final!
Al-Nashir Charania on Wed, 27th May 2009 11:37 am
I think the game is going to be much, much tighter that everyone thinks. My gut tells me Barca will score first though Eto’o in the 5 min…then Rooney to score in the 82min. In extra time, inspite of Messi goal, Ronaldo to save the day with a brace!
Nabyl Charania on Wed, 27th May 2009 2:27 pm
WOW your gut is right so far, Etoo with the first goal very early! now to see if the rest of your prediction comes true
Ian John on Sun, 31st May 2009 8:15 am
United didn’t turn up for the game. Barcelona were deserving winners. One complaint I have, Messi man of the match? He had a decent game but Andres Iniesta was head and shoulders above everybody on that pitch by a long, long way.