Manchester United v FC Barcelona - Champions league Final

redout

The old adage goes that all roads lead to Rome, and in the case of Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona they come to a potentially glorious halt at the Stadio Olimpico on 27 May.

Twists and turns
For Barcelona perhaps, the journey has been freighted with greater tension given the semi-final that Josep Guardiola's team played out against Chelsea FC – sealed with the twist of Andrés Iniesta's stoppage time away-goals winner. The Spanish champions-elect have suffered two defeats en route to the Italian capital, losing to Wisła Kraków in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie and going down at home to FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage – but in both cases after progress had been assured. A more telling statistic is that in 12 games from the group stage onwards they have recorded 30 goals, at a rate of of 2.5 per match.

Strolling along
By contrast, Manchester United, the titleholders, are unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League since their semi-final in 2006/07, when after a 3-2 home success over AC Milan they were defeated by three unanswered goals at San Siro. Since then the English league leaders have been unbreakable over a record 25 matches in the competition, with their defence breached only six times in 12 games this season. Their ultimately comfortable semi-final scalp of Arsenal FC just underlined the nature of the challenge facing Barcelona in three weeks' time.

Roads to Rome

FC Barcelona
Third qualifying round
Wisła Kraków (h) 4-0
Wisła Kraków (a) 0-1
Group stage (Group C winners)
Sporting Clube de Portugal (h) 3-1
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (a) 2-1
FC Basel 1893 (a) 5-0
FC Basel 1893 (h) 1-1
Sporting Clube de Portugal (a) 5-2
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (h) 2-3
First knockout round
Olympique Lyonnais (a) 1-1
Olympique Lyonnais (h) 5-2
Quarter-finals
FC Bayern München (h) 4-0
FC Bayern München (a) 1-1
Semi-final
Chelsea FC (h) 0-0
Chelsea FC (a) 1-


Manchester United FC
Group stage (Group E winners)
Villarreal CF (h) 0-0
Aalborg BK (a) 3-0
Celtic FC (h) 3-0
Celtic FC (a) 1-1
Villarreal CF (a) 0-0
Aalborg BK (h) 2-2
First knockout round
FC Internazionale Milano (a) 0-0
FC Internazionale Milano (h) 2-0
Quarter-finals
FC Porto (h) 2-2
FC Porto (a) 1-0
Semi-finals
Arsenal FC (h) 1-0
Arsenal FC (a) 3-1

Nalz

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

I await The Cristiano Ronaldo show

monkey9

Trilla wrote: »

I await The Cristiano Ronaldo show

I await the Lionel Messi one

redout

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

I await the Dream final between the best two teams in the world.

lint316

Don't care (just want the game to be a cracker)

monkey9 wrote: »

I await the Lionel Messi one

Messi will got on with the job. None of this Tom Foolery we'll see from the other clown

grahamo

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Lets hope we get the amazing game of football it promises to be. :cool:

meditraitor

Sadly I dont think it will be a soccer spectacle, Fergie is far too canny to try out play Barcelona as United would be ripped apart. Chelsea did it perfect last night and United will play every bit as tight hoping for a break.

Hate to say it but I think United got Lucky last night and are my favorites to win

Xavi6

Barcelona (United fan)

Poll added just cause

deisedevil

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

lint316 wrote: »

Messi will got on with the job. None of this Tom Foolery we'll see from the other clown

There was "Tom Foolery" from Messi last night, dived at least once. Yes, it's a pity but it's true, messi dives aswell. Not on a Drogba or Ronaldo scale but he's not whiter than white!

mike65

Looking back on the two sides qualification route, you'd have to say (well I would!) that both made pretty heavy weather of minor opponents at times. While it could be argued both are lucky to be there at all. Utd got away with a crappy game against a typically hopeless Inter and, well we know about last night.

Draupnir

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

mike65 wrote: »

(well I would!)

Course you would.

I think United will win as Barcelona really have no Plan B. This is too their credit in that they stick to their footballing philosophy no matter what the occassion but I think they will regret it against a United team who will certainly score and will more than cope with the midfield of Barcelona which I think is not direct enough when a pass is on.

The only way I see Barcelona winning is if they can score early on before the shape of the game settles down, this is not beyond the realm of possibility. The game would be much more open then as United search for a winner.

Carroller16

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

20 DAYS TO GO

COME ON UNITED

MisterAnarchy

Barcelona (Neutral)

meditraitor wrote: »

Sadly I dont think it will be a soccer spectacle, Fergie is far too canny to try out play Barcelona as United would be ripped apart. Chelsea did it perfect last night and United will play every bit as tight hoping for a break.

Hate to say it but I think United got Lucky last night and are my favorites to win

I'd go along with that .
Ferguson will allow Barcelona the majority of the possession and try to catch them on the break.
Saying that though Utd will be alot more positive than Chelsea,they will attack when they have the ball and retain possession better.
It would be foolish to try and take Barca on at their own game and Ferguson knows that the patched up Barca defence for the final will be suspect to the counter attack.

Mitch Connor

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

I reckon United will play the same team that they put out against Arsenal. Giggs coming in for Fletcher if the suspension is confirmed.

I am certain that we will go with a 3 man midfield against Barcelona, and it then simply depends on whether Fergie goes with Ronnie through the centre with park or rooney on the right to combat Henry/Iniesta drifting on the left (of the Barca attack) or if he plays Ronaldo on the right and trusts the midfield to compensate on that side (with either Tevez or Berbatov up front. I certainly think it will be Park/Rooney left side of a 3 man attack, to help out with Messi on Barcelonas right.

redout

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

The biggest obstacle for Barca to deal with is having 3 of their regular back four either suspended or injured for the final. Alves and Abidal through suspension and Marquez through injury. The Chelsea games took a heavy toll. Add to this that Pep has no confidence in Caceres in my opinion which means first choice DMF Toure will play as a makeshift CB meaning Busquets will take his place in midfield. I have to be honest here and say I cant see Pep putting 35 year old Sylvinho at LB up against Ronaldo. There wouldnt be much of a contest here pace wise. Alves cant adequately be replaced with a like for like attacking option either so that can only be of benefit to United. Either way though Barcelona will put out a side capable of winning so its should be a belter of a game.

ShooterSF

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

I think Uniteds ability to go 4-4-2/ 4-5-1/ 4-3-3 and change their game to counter Barca who don't seem to have or are too stubborn to apply a plan b will be the seperator in this game.
(This being a biased United fan's view though)

Xavi6

Barcelona (United fan)

Abidal being suspended is a blessing in disguise imo. The Djimi Traore of Barcelona (and yes i know Djimi has a winner's medal)

Mitch Connor

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Xavi6 wrote: »

Abidal being suspended is a blessing in disguise imo. The Djimi Traore of Barcelona (and yes i know Djimi has a winner's medal)

Alves missing is massive though, as the support he gives Messi on the right, and thus the space he opens up on that side for Messi, is a big part of Barcelona's game and it will be a big loss for them.

Pighead

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Alves missing is massive though, as the support he gives Messi on the right, and thus the space he opens up on that side for Messi, is a big part of Barcelona's game and it will be a big loss for them.

Not on last nights showing. He was awful. I lost count of the amount of times he put in rubbish crosses when under little or no pressure. Wasn't too hot in the first leg either.

Mitch Connor

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Pighead wrote: »

Not on last nights showing. He was awful. I lost count of the amount of times he put in rubbish crosses when under little or no pressure. Wasn't too hot in the first leg either.

Just as I wouldn't base my opinion on Barcelona's ability to create chances on last nights performance, I wouldn't base my opinion of any Barcelona player on just last nights performance. Having watched him over the season, he has been very effective down the right for Barcelona and a big part of their attacking threat, as Evra would be for United.

Fenix

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Personally I think (Yes I'm a biased utd fan) Ronaldo has looked like hes hitting last years standard, thats massive, on his day Ronaldo is up there with Messi, just ask Arsenal. I'm hoping experience will tell as regards fergie vs pep.

Having said that, its Barca, they are capeable of amazing stuff, I'm pretty sure they won't see as much of the ball as Chelsea allowed them, Utd will should have learned plenty from last nights game.

COME ON UTD......

PHB

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

We have to see how injuries and suspensions work out I think first

I think we've got a good shot though to retain the CL. Either way, i"m bloody happy to be here.

Dave!

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Can't blood wait for this... I reckon I'll have a nervous breakdown on the night though

JPA

Xavi6 wrote: »

Abidal being suspended is a blessing in disguise imo. The Djimi Traore of Barcelona (and yes i know Djimi has a winner's medal)

You can't really say it's a blessing in disguise when their 2nd choice LB is 35.
They will be weaker without him.

DenMan

Barcelona (United fan)

I don't think it's fair to be putting Arsenal down here guys, I should know they are my team. The were comprehensively beaten by Utd over the two legs. Both Arsenal and Barcelona don't seem to have a Plan B, which is worrying. They continue to move around and pass it and Utd dealt with Arsenal and could do likewise with Barca. That being said I have a good feeling Henry will decide the game. Barca for me, but very close.

Xavi6

Barcelona (United fan)

JPA wrote: »

You can't really say it's a blessing in disguise when their 2nd choice LB is 35.
They will be weaker without him.

I'd be confident Abidal would fuck up in some way shape or form so whoever's going to play there almost has one mistake's grace.

The candidates are from what I can see -

Martín Cáceres
Gerard Piqué
Carles Puyol
Sylvinho

PHB

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

or the option of dropping Yaya Toure into CB and push Puyol to RB.

I just can't see us not really getting a couple of goods chances to score.

JPA

Xavi6 wrote: »

I'd be confident Abidal would fuck up in some way shape or form so whoever's going to play there almost has one mistake's grace.

The candidates are from what I can see -

Martín Cáceres
Gerard Piqué
Carles Puyol
Sylvinho

Rate Abidal or not, Alves is out so Puyol has to play RB. Piqué and Cáceres are CBs and Cáceres never plays. So the only choice is Sylvinho and Abidal is better than him, so they are weaker.
Abidal is always a bit dodgy for France but I think he's solid enough for Barca.

gimmick

Manchester United (Neutral)

Losing Abidal is a bigger loss than Alves from a defensive point of view. He could go with

Cacares - Puyol - Pique - Sylvinho.

Unlikely, but possible. Which will he decide is more important - full backs blocking service from the wings, or centre halves blocking service through the centre?

Either way, and even with a first choice defense available, I cannot see past Man U for this

redout

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Pighead wrote: »

Not on last nights showing. He was awful. I lost count of the amount of times he put in rubbish crosses when under little or no pressure. Wasn't too hot in the first leg either.

Was it not Alves cross that lead to Barca's goal last night ?

gimmick

Manchester United (Neutral)

redout wrote: »

Was it not Alves cross that lead to Barca's goal last night ?

To be fair redout, Alves was awful last night. That however does not make him a bad player.

Mikeyt086

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Lot of people talking like they expect Messi to deliver, if last night is anything to go by, then that might not be the best thing to talk up, as he was utterly **** last night, and has been almost every time he has played English opposition. Granted, ruling him off is stupid, and thats not what im doing, but if you hadnt seen either semi and came for a look in here, you wouldnt know Ronaldo scored 2 amazing goals and got man of the match in his semi, and Messi was a ghost in his.

Barca without Abidal and Alves, Ronaldo to run riot.

gimmick

Manchester United (Neutral)

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

Lot of people talking like they expect Messi to deliver, if last night is anything to go by, then that might not be the best thing to talk up, as he was utterly **** last night,...................i, and Messi was utterly **** in his.

Utterly Sh*te you say? Nonsense. Sure, he was not at his swashbuckling finest, but he had a good, solid game. I think the people who say he was poor are those who barely ever seen him play so expect wizardry every game.

JPA

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

Lot of people talking like they expect Messi to deliver, if last night is anything to go by, then that might not be the best thing to talk up, as he was utterly **** last night, and has been almost every time he has played English opposition. Granted, ruling him off is stupid, and thats not what im doing. But if you hadnt seen either semi and came for a look in here, you wouldnt know Ronaldo scored 2 amazing goals and got man of the match in his semi, and Messi was utterly **** in his.

Barca without Abidal and Alves, Ronaldo to run riot.

WTF? Unless you expect Maradonna 1986 goals everytime Messi gets the ball, he was good. Not at his best but good. To say he was **** makes you look ridiculous.

Mitch Connor

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

redout wrote: »

Was it not Alves cross that lead to Barca's goal last night ?

No, it was Essien's miskick and Messi's pass that led to the goal. Alves's crossing was very poor last night. the one at the end that kinda sorta lead to the goal was decent, that was about it. One good cross does not a good performance make.

Boggles

redout wrote: »

Was it not Alves cross that lead to Barca's goal last night ?

Don't think he will be claiming the assist though. 6/7 touches later it got to Iniesta.

Warper

Don't care (just want the game to be a cracker)

This thread is kinda shocking - basically half of the people who post here are Utd fans.

Barca wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Should be a cracker though. Utd every man behind the ball clinging on for penalties and bam.

Unearthly

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Man Utd to contain Barcelona and catch them on the break. 1 or 2 nil

_blank_

Barcelona (Barcelona fan)

Warper wrote: »

This thread is kinda shocking - basically half of the people who post here are Utd fans.

And no United fan thinks Barca will win.

Now there's confidence.

redout

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Mitch Connor wrote: »

No, it was Essien's miskick and Messi's pass that led to the goal. Alves's crossing was very poor last night. the one at the end that kinda sorta lead to the goal was decent, that was about it. One good cross does not a good performance make.

Boggles wrote: »

Don't think he will be claiming the assist though. 6/7 touches later it got to Iniesta.

The point I am making is that his cross lead to the goal. No cross = No goal. He did have a poor game yes but ultimately he did play a part in the build up to there goal.

Nalz

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

lint316 wrote: »

Messi will got on with the job. None of this Tom Foolery we'll see from the other clown

If it was Tom Foolery like the quarters and semis of this competition, then liccle Messi is gonna be shown up big time

3 zip to United

ShooterSF

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

I take it all the neutrals in last night's thread who claimed United will walk over Barca haven't voted yet so...

Daysha

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Just to confirm, Barcelona are the designated home team, so they'll be in their usual blue and red strips. United will be all white.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Eamon Dunphy wrote: »

And no United fan thinks Barca will win.

Now there's confidence.

I think that's because, on the basis of last nights performance, Barca's defense is there in body but not in mind! I lost count of the amount of times Barca were caught in possession at the back, it seemed like Chelsea might get something every time they went forward in numbers.

Some would argue Barca can get away with this because they pass it around opponents and their attack is the best in the world.

I think that Manchester United have a very high standard of both Defense and Attack. Their attack mightn't be as strong as Barcalona, but their defense certainly is therefore I'd fancy United.

Daysha wrote: »

Just to confirm, Barcelona are the designated home team, so they'll be in their usual blue and red strips. United will be all white.

ARSE! I take is this is decided depending on which side of the quarter final you are on?

monkey9

COME ON BARCA!!!!!!!!!!

apoch632

Daysha wrote: »

Just to confirm, Barcelona are the designated home team, so they'll be in their usual blue and red strips. United will be all white.

Last time United played Barca in a European final we wore all white. :D:D

newballsplease

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

In the words of Eamon Dunphy- Id like 3 weeks to think about it!!

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

I'm not predicting a score, but United to win.

Can't wait for this game, I have butterflies already thinking about it:D

Mikeyt086

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

JPA wrote: »

WTF? Unless you expect Maradonna 1986 goals everytime Messi gets the ball, he was good. Not at his best but good. To say he was **** makes you look ridiculous.

I dont expect Maradonna goals from everyone. But i do expect you to back up how he was "good". Go on then, tell me about some good things. Note, the assist was not good, it was an almost backwards pass. Had Iniesta not decided it was time for a stroke of genius, Barca would be out on their ass and people saying "Where was Messi?".

enda1

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

A solid 2-0 from united. Early goals at the srart of each half then defending and quick counters for the last ~40 minutes.

carlop

Manchester United (Barcelona fan)

Considering he was double-marked for large parts of the game, I thought Messi played well. He left Ashley Cole for dead a couple of times, and Chelsea still struggled to get the ball back off him even when they had 4 players surrounding him.

As for the final, I just think Barca's defence will be too weak without Abidal, Alves, Marquez and Milito, but it will be close and is by no means a foregone conclusion like many of the posters last night predicted.