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Champions League
Topic Started: Aug 1 2008, 07:30 AM (4,226 Views)
alabastergremlin
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Since WC02 was mentioned I'll make a comment that I made on another board...


...to Ballack. Want to chase the ref down to complain about a handball...complain about this one...

Posted Image


Seriously, I can't see the handball towards the end being called. However, I think the one earlier, that occured in the box, was a handball everytime! Even if he didn't intentionally reach out for it, given the circumstances, it should have been called.

I thought the officiating was fine up until about midway through the second half. I don't think Chelsea should complain too much. They had some breaks in the first leg and got, what should have been a break, with the unwarranted red card given to the Barca defender earlier.

All in all, I really wish I could catch more of these games. I have rarely been let down.
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Mr. Pither
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I will say this about the referee, he was letting the teams play and not calling anything unless it looked obvious. That I feel is why he swallowed the whistle on the Pique handball, which to me was the only penalty claim which really did look like a penalty. But this also explains why he let the other fouls everyone has mentioned here pass. Abidal was sent off because he was trying to grab Anelka and even if he didn't succeed at that the fact Anelka went down made the official think he had no alternative but to send off Abidal. A tough break for Barcelona but overall I thought the poor decisions evened out.

I will echo what others wrote, Chelsea had the chances to win but could not put them away. You let any team off the hook like that but especially one as dangerous as Barcelona and you are setting yourself up for the kind of disapoointment that Chelsea suffered at the end.
P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD
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robdog
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Alexao,May 7 2009
12:59 PM
After the Manchester United-Arsenal semifinal was over after 10 minutes of the second leg I enjoyed that this semifinal went down to the last minute. I agree with the consensus here that Chelsea could have won the game but became too cautious up both a goal and a player and playing at home. When they took off Drogba it gave Pique and Toure, the Barcelona central defenders, all the time in the world to pass the ball forward to Xavi to start another attack. You would think up a man in those circumstances Chelsea would look to press Barcelona even more and make that man advantage count. In the last 10 minutes you could not tell Chelsea had an extra player.

I have to agree w/ you on that. On BS, at the half I even mentioned the fact I would rather see Kalou on the wing, than Anelka. Also, didn't want to risk Ballack not making into the final on getting another yellow. Thought Guus should have brought in either Mikel or Belletti. I think those two subs could have helped gather the win. Of course that didn't happened & the rest is history :(
Supporter for FCK, San Lorenzo, Chelsea, Pachuca, Corinthians & Real Betis
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Simon
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After a great deal of complicated financial and logistical contortions I have now sorted out that I'm off to Rome this weekend for Wednesday's final. After all, as us United fans have been singing for years, "if the reds, should play, in Rome or Mandalay we'll be there, we'll be there!"

I can't think of the circumstances of us playing in Mandalay, perhaps it'll be the dreaded '39th league game' at some point? :P

Anyway, I'll post about it in a week's time when I'm back (staying on longer works out cheaper with flights, and Rome isn't a place you hurry off from anyway!). It's been a wonderful season for United fans, having finally reached the hallowed record number of 18 league championships. Becoming the first team to retain the CL in its modern format would certainly be a nice cherry on top of that particular cake, though I'm sure Barcelona will have something to say about it!

Win, lose or draw, let's hope for a good one. If it even half matches its billing, it will be quite some game!
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Dr. Z
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I was going to wish that you enjoy the match Simon then I remembered you are a Manchester United fan! j/k You should have a great time whatever the outcome, going to matches like this are wonderful experiences.

These have been the two dominant teams in Europe this season, just look at this, whichever of the two wins the Champions League will have won a triplet of titles this season. That just shows you how well both Manchester United and Barcelona have played this season.
Poniendo el pecho a las balas!
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historyman
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Simon,May 21 2009
03:06 PM
After a great deal of complicated financial and logistical contortions I have now sorted out that I'm off to Rome this weekend for Wednesday's final. After all, as us United fans have been singing for years, "if the reds, should play, in Rome or Mandalay we'll be there, we'll be there!"

Win, lose or draw, let's hope for a good one. If it even half matches its billing, it will be quite some game!

Great stuff! Look forward to hearing how you got on when you get back.
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Merengue
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We all are looking forward to your report from Rome Simon, enjoy yourself.

Even if he ahd not been suspended for the final Daniel Alves would not have been able to play as he injured his ankle this week in training and will miss the rest of the season for Barcelona.

With the league title decided you cannot blame either Manchester United or Barcelona for playing reserves this weekend in their league games but both are playing clubs (Hull and Osasuna) involved in the relegation battle in their respective leagues so you know Hull's and Osasuna's rivals are not happy about that. But to the victors go the spoils.
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Martin
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I can hear Simon singing,

Que sera, sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be,
We're going to I-tal-eeee,
Que sera, sera!


Enjoy your trip and like everyone else, I look forward to your report and am very envious! :D

On paper this looks like a tremendous matchup, hopefully the match lives up to it's hype.
Club Sportivo Desamparados
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libero
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Here is an article which reminds us that despite being a dream final, last season's semifinal betwene these two teams was very defensive,

Dream Final Not Just About All Out Attack

Essentially United played Barcelona much the way Chelsea did over their two legs in this season's semifinal. Of course an early goal could change that as could the fact this is a one game final, not a home and away series.

Despite this cautionary note I feel there is just too much good talent on both teams for this to be a dreary match. But United's defense looks stronger than Barcelona's makeshift one and that I feel will be the difference in this game.

My prediction: Manchester United 2 Barcelona 1
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Nkono
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libero,May 25 2009
10:14 AM
Here is an article which reminds us that despite being a dream final, last season's semifinal betwene these two teams was very defensive,

Dream Final Not Just About All Out Attack

Essentially United played Barcelona much the way Chelsea did over their two legs in this season's semifinal. Of course an early goal could change that as could the fact this is a one game final, not a home and away series.

Despite this cautionary note I feel there is just too much good talent on both teams for this to be a dreary match. But United's defense looks stronger than Barcelona's makeshift one and that I feel will be the difference in this game.

My prediction: Manchester United 2 Barcelona 1

I think libero has stated what is the difference between this game and last year's semifinal between the two, this is a one off game. While that may ordinarily lead to caution, we all know Barcelona will push players forward and seek to keep possession while United will look to use their lightning counter attacks. I don't anticipate a high scoring match but by the same token I also do not see it ending 1-0.

My prediction: Barcelona 2 Manchester United 1 aet

I think we will have a good night's worth of entertainment.
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Mr. Pither
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Ryan Giggs caps off his wonderful career with a goal in the final, Ronaldo adds another and Tevez comes in off the bench to score a late third goal, cancelling out Xavi's goal for Barcelona. 3-1 to Manchester United. The dangerous counters and tight defense of United will I think be the difference.
P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD
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Pepe
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Reports in Spain are that Yaya Toure will play in central defense with Pique with Puyol and Sylvinho as the lateral defenders. With Ferdinand likely to play Manchester will have their best defense available, but Barcelona will not. That may be the big difference is what otherwise is an even looking matchup.

All eyes of course will be on Ronaldo and Messi who both have had excellent seasons but I get the impression of the two, it is Cristiano Ronaldo who is closing out the season the best. This is another factor to consider in prognosticating.

My guess for final score? 2-1 to Manchester United.
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Yogi
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This article does not tell us anything we don't already know but it sets out the strengths and weaknesses of both:

Tactical Preview of Final

This article implies Seydou Keita and not Sylvinho will play left back. If that is true then Barca will have two midfielders deputizing as defenders. Not ideal going against Ronaldo, Rooney and company.

I think we are headed to penalty kicks, after that it is a lottery who will win.
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Martin
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There is so much to like about this final, two league champions who have been dominant both in their domestic championships and in Europe this season, the swift counters of Manchester United versus the ball possession and slick passing of Barcelona, the veteran Alex Ferguson against the newcomer Josep Guardiola, Cristiano Ronaldo v Lionel Messi, it goes on and on. It is the final fans the world over have wanted to see.

I am curious whether the rest period both teams' starters have had will effect their play? It should mean they'll be fresher but will they be as sharp? Barcelona with Iniesta and Henry coming off injury and Messi and Eto'o not ending the season on the best of notes really did need that rest. In last season's semifinal it was Barcelona with the ball and United packing the midfield and looking for counters, I expect the same formula in this match. Manchester United transition from defense to attack quicker than any team I have ever seen, while Barcelona pass the ball as well as any team I have seen since the Ajax teams in the mid 90s.

There has been a lot of talk about Barcelona's vulnerability in the air on set pieces but against Lyon, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, three big, physical teams, they handled that aspect pretty well. Gerard Pique's rise has helped the aerial defense tremendously in my opinion. But this makeshift Barcelona defense will need to recover quickly when Manchester breaks forward. How they handle that will be one of the game's keys. As will Manchester United's attempts to stifle Barca's midfield. Look for the wingers, Rooney and possibly Park, to drop deep and double team Barca out wide.

It should be a fun game to watch, I won't even try to prognosticate it, all i can say is whichever team is capable of making the big plays in the match will win it. i don't think this will be a game defined by errors, rather than lose it, one of the two will win the match.
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Don Balon
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I've enjoyed the pre match comments. To me the keys will be how well Evra and his teammates handle Messi and how Barcelona try and control Ronaldo and Rooney. I think Barcelona needs to avoid giving up free kicks near goal as Ronaldo is proving to be a very dangerous weapon in those situations.

Manchester United shutdown Barcelona twice last season, I do not see that happening a third time. My pick, Barcelona 2-1 Manchester United.
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