Maganga Mkweli
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- Jul 14, 2009
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Barça and UNICEF extend their agreement. VIVA BARCELONA PAMOJA SANA
FC Barcelona (Barça or Blaugrana) | Special Thread
FC Barcelona (Barça or Blaugrana) | Special Thread
NG'OTIMBEBEDZU
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- Aug 11, 2010
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.........Macelo da Silva Junior, alipoulizwa na UEFA kama kweli Busqet alimtolea maneno ya kibaguzi, alishangaa na kusema hakusikia kitu kama hicho, so fitina haijengi!!
NewDawnTz
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 15, 2010
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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Final 2011 Manchester United vs FC Barcelona Trailer
Sir Alex Ferguson has set his sights on securing the Champions League trophy following Manchester Uniteds record-breaking 19th English title success.
United won this seasons Premier League after Saturdays 1-1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers gave them the point they needed to take sole possession of a record theyd previously shared with arch-rivals Liverpool.
A division of the spoils at Ewood Park left United an unbeatable seven points ahead of second-placed Chelsea, last seasons champions, who can only win a maximum of six points from their two remaining league matches.
However it was not long before the insatiable Ferguson, winning the 36th trophy of his 25-year Old Trafford reign, was contemplating a Champions League final against Spanish giants Barcelona at Wembley on May 28.
United have been crowned champions of Europe three times, the last in 2008, whereas Liverpool have won the competition on five occasions although both clubs lag well behind Real Madrids record nine continental titles.
The European Cup is an area in which we should have done better, Ferguson said. We should have won more, I think.
That will be our focus now, the 69-year-old Scot added. Of course we will enjoy thiseven though it was agony at times. But this is a great achievement and we hope to be celebrating again.
Ferguson has created several successful United sides since arriving from Aberdeen in 1986 but some pundits have questioned whether the current team are one of his best, given theyve won just five away league games this term.
Its not fair to say its a bad Man United team or a bad league, its a tighter league, a harder league to win, Ferguson insisted.
Any campaign has got blips for anyone. Every team is going to have them. But our home form has won us the league.
Normally our away form is much, much better but we are protected by the home form. Now look forward to another massive game that lies ahead of us.
United veteran Ryan Giggs, who like Ferguson won his 12th English title on Saturday, was delighted his side had finally surpassed Liverpools record.
Twenty years ago we were nowhere near Liverpool, the Welsh midfielder said. Its great credit to the club, the manager and the players and its a good feeling to be ahead of our greatest rivals.
It was Wayne Rooneys penalty 17 minutes from time, after Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson brought down striker Javier Hernandez, that enabled United to cancel out Australia midfielder Brett Emertons well-taken opener.
The draw saw United wrap up the title with a game to spare and while Ferguson is likely to rest some of his stars for next weekends final day clash at home to relegation-threatened Blackpool, he insisted United would field a competitive team.
We have a responsibility to make sure we are fair to all clubs in the country who are struggling against relegation, he said. Manchester United will try to win next Sunday, theres no doubt about that.
For Rovers, this result left them a point above the relegation zone and still not safe from the drop ahead of their last day encounter away to fellow strugglers Wolves.
Coming into the game, against a strong Manchester United side going for the title, if we were given a point we would have been happy with that, said Blackburn boss Steve Kean.
We cant control what happens at other grounds but Im confident. We have to continue playing as we are and hopefully it will be enough for us.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Final 2011 Manchester United vs FC Barcelona Trailer | | RoyalFooty - Latest Football Highlights
NewDawnTz
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UEFA Champions League Final: Javier Hernandez the Key for Manchester United?
By Greg Lott (Manchester United Featured Columnist) on May 6, 2011
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
The great John Lennon once said, Its a fear of the unknown. The unknown is what is.
May 28th, 2011. The UEFA Champions League final. The unknown demon of FC Barcelonas fears will manifest itself into human form, codename Little Pea.
As a United fan myself, I am not deluded, Barcelona go to the match as favourites. The best midfield in the world, probably the best strike force in the world, the best player in the world, the second best defence in the world (after United); it makes for harrowing reading.
Yet what really irks me is the wild assertions from fans of teams that are, surprise suprise, not actually in the final, of how United will get hammered.
Theres not even any point turning up, a particularly bitter Chelsea fan claimed.
I can see their logic. A demolition of the great Real Madrid, of Jose Mourinho, the demi-god and heir apparent for a place at the summit of mount Olympus. Yet if you think about it, the second leg was the fifth El Clasico of the season, such is the totalitarian dominance these two sides exhibit over the rest of their La Liga minions.
Five matches to weigh up the opposition, in a ground you are by now familiar with, against players whose game you have ample opportunity to analyse at close quarters. As opposed to one match in a foreign country, against players who you may play once in a while.
Manchester United vs. Barcelona is a whole different ball game.
Of all the players at Uniteds disposal, I think it is Javier Hernandez that Barcelona will be most worried about. The man that came out of nowhere to become a revelation. I will make the claim that 90 percent of Barcelonas players will never have faced Hernandez as a cautious estimate as a few might well have faced him on international duty.
Yet even this was a year ago. Since he arrived at OT and was schooled into the United psyche, Hernandezs game has blossomed, and he is a different prospect now than he was nine months ago. Video tapes can only teach you so much, especially with a player as unpredictable as Chicharito.
He is the archetypal goal poacher, kicking balls off his own face, heading it in with intentional back-headers. It is basic instinct at its most refined level. Hernandez possesses pace in abundance too, with stats at the World Cup citing him as its fastest player.
With the exception of Gerard Pique, who still isnt as fast as Hernandez, Barcelonas defence contains a 33-year-old Carles Puyol, who despite still being one of the worlds best defenders with his back to goal. When turned, he no longer has the legs for a footrace with Hernandez.
At right back Barcelona have Dani Alves, a precocious talent, but one inclined to make long forays up the pitch, leaving gaps behind that Uniteds patented counter-attacking play can exploit.
Finally, in the absence of the brilliant Eric Abidal, after his inspirational victory over the cancer that looked to curtail him (article to come), the defence will quite possibly be completed by Javier Mascherano, a small, slow, defensive midfielder. A player, who despite portraying a great defensive instinct and holding prowess, has an inclination to allow his fiery temperament to influence his play, and as a central defender the stakes are all the higher.
Then there is Hernandezs movement. In my recollection, I have never seen a player so adept at finding himself in the right place at the right time.
It shows resonance to the play of a young Michael Owen, but in my opinion he was more technical and had worse movement than Hernandez. Chicarito finds space where their shouldnt be any. His lighting pace, pulls the defenders this way and that, exploiting gaps where he finds them or drawing defenders away, to allow Wayne Rooney or one of the midfielders to fill the void.
Puyol et al will have never faced a player like Hernandez, watched him maybe, but when the whistle sounds, he will become a different proposition. The Rooney, Hernandez double-act, when working effectively, like they were against an admittedly abysmal Schalke in the first leg, are almost unplayable.
Such is the manner in which they complement each other's play. Hernandez pushes and finds the gap, leaving Rooney space to bring out his repertoire and play in a winger or a midfielder or go on himself, where any defensive errors are inevitable punished by the pea green reaper.
Gary Prior/Getty Images
Barcelonas defenders while have to adjust to the unconventional style of Hernandezs play as the game is going on, but will 90 minutes really be enough?
In my opinion, where the game will be won and lost is in the midfield. Barcelona will inevitably set the tempo, but it is what Manchester United do with the ball when they have it that will be the defining factor in the game.
Sir Alex will, in all likelihood, adopt a defensive formation, at least to start. For this reason, with the premium placed on tracking back to defend, I can see Nani being dropped, with Valencia and Giggs preferred. Park Ji Sung also is a shoe-in to start, such is his stoic stipulation to his defensive duties when the need is at its greatest, probably as a partner to Michael Carrick.
Where, therefore, does this leave Chicharito?
Rooneys inclusion is inevitable, so, depending on how cautious Sir Alex is, there will, in all likelihood, be another striking birth. Berbatov, a player low on form and panache, for whom his goals earlier in the season seem like a distant memory, or Hernandez, unleashed from the start to tear the weakest part of this impregnable Barcelona unit asunder?
I know who I would choose. Whatever strategy Fergie cooks up though, the brilliant thing about Hernandez, as opposed to, to give an example Berbatov, is that his impact is not diluted by starting from the bench.
In his short time at the Theatre of Dreams, Chicharito has conjured up fond memorys of another slightly built forward who was plucked from obscurity to weave his mark on super-sub folklore. And we all know how the Champions League final of '99 ended for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
With three weeks to go until the showpiece event, the tension is palpable. Barcelona will enter the match as favourites, justifiable trumpeted as the "best club side in history," yet football has an uncanny knack of delivering a surprise or two.
In my humble opinion, the way that Sir Alex chooses to utilise Javier Hernandez could be key to the destination of the trophy at ninety minutes end.
Barcelona may well win, that I am not arguing with. Just dont claim that the result is a foregone conclusion.
It will be as easy as shelling peas for Barcelona, another friend said. He, like Barcelona, clearly didnt know too much about the littlest pea of them all.
By Greg Lott (Manchester United Featured Columnist) on May 6, 2011
May 28th, 2011. The UEFA Champions League final. The unknown demon of FC Barcelonas fears will manifest itself into human form, codename Little Pea.
As a United fan myself, I am not deluded, Barcelona go to the match as favourites. The best midfield in the world, probably the best strike force in the world, the best player in the world, the second best defence in the world (after United); it makes for harrowing reading.
Yet what really irks me is the wild assertions from fans of teams that are, surprise suprise, not actually in the final, of how United will get hammered.
Theres not even any point turning up, a particularly bitter Chelsea fan claimed.
I can see their logic. A demolition of the great Real Madrid, of Jose Mourinho, the demi-god and heir apparent for a place at the summit of mount Olympus. Yet if you think about it, the second leg was the fifth El Clasico of the season, such is the totalitarian dominance these two sides exhibit over the rest of their La Liga minions.
Five matches to weigh up the opposition, in a ground you are by now familiar with, against players whose game you have ample opportunity to analyse at close quarters. As opposed to one match in a foreign country, against players who you may play once in a while.
Manchester United vs. Barcelona is a whole different ball game.
Of all the players at Uniteds disposal, I think it is Javier Hernandez that Barcelona will be most worried about. The man that came out of nowhere to become a revelation. I will make the claim that 90 percent of Barcelonas players will never have faced Hernandez as a cautious estimate as a few might well have faced him on international duty.
Yet even this was a year ago. Since he arrived at OT and was schooled into the United psyche, Hernandezs game has blossomed, and he is a different prospect now than he was nine months ago. Video tapes can only teach you so much, especially with a player as unpredictable as Chicharito.
He is the archetypal goal poacher, kicking balls off his own face, heading it in with intentional back-headers. It is basic instinct at its most refined level. Hernandez possesses pace in abundance too, with stats at the World Cup citing him as its fastest player.
With the exception of Gerard Pique, who still isnt as fast as Hernandez, Barcelonas defence contains a 33-year-old Carles Puyol, who despite still being one of the worlds best defenders with his back to goal. When turned, he no longer has the legs for a footrace with Hernandez.
At right back Barcelona have Dani Alves, a precocious talent, but one inclined to make long forays up the pitch, leaving gaps behind that Uniteds patented counter-attacking play can exploit.
Finally, in the absence of the brilliant Eric Abidal, after his inspirational victory over the cancer that looked to curtail him (article to come), the defence will quite possibly be completed by Javier Mascherano, a small, slow, defensive midfielder. A player, who despite portraying a great defensive instinct and holding prowess, has an inclination to allow his fiery temperament to influence his play, and as a central defender the stakes are all the higher.
Then there is Hernandezs movement. In my recollection, I have never seen a player so adept at finding himself in the right place at the right time.
It shows resonance to the play of a young Michael Owen, but in my opinion he was more technical and had worse movement than Hernandez. Chicarito finds space where their shouldnt be any. His lighting pace, pulls the defenders this way and that, exploiting gaps where he finds them or drawing defenders away, to allow Wayne Rooney or one of the midfielders to fill the void.
Puyol et al will have never faced a player like Hernandez, watched him maybe, but when the whistle sounds, he will become a different proposition. The Rooney, Hernandez double-act, when working effectively, like they were against an admittedly abysmal Schalke in the first leg, are almost unplayable.
Such is the manner in which they complement each other's play. Hernandez pushes and finds the gap, leaving Rooney space to bring out his repertoire and play in a winger or a midfielder or go on himself, where any defensive errors are inevitable punished by the pea green reaper.
Gary Prior/Getty Images
Barcelonas defenders while have to adjust to the unconventional style of Hernandezs play as the game is going on, but will 90 minutes really be enough?
In my opinion, where the game will be won and lost is in the midfield. Barcelona will inevitably set the tempo, but it is what Manchester United do with the ball when they have it that will be the defining factor in the game.
Sir Alex will, in all likelihood, adopt a defensive formation, at least to start. For this reason, with the premium placed on tracking back to defend, I can see Nani being dropped, with Valencia and Giggs preferred. Park Ji Sung also is a shoe-in to start, such is his stoic stipulation to his defensive duties when the need is at its greatest, probably as a partner to Michael Carrick.
Where, therefore, does this leave Chicharito?
Rooneys inclusion is inevitable, so, depending on how cautious Sir Alex is, there will, in all likelihood, be another striking birth. Berbatov, a player low on form and panache, for whom his goals earlier in the season seem like a distant memory, or Hernandez, unleashed from the start to tear the weakest part of this impregnable Barcelona unit asunder?
I know who I would choose. Whatever strategy Fergie cooks up though, the brilliant thing about Hernandez, as opposed to, to give an example Berbatov, is that his impact is not diluted by starting from the bench.
In his short time at the Theatre of Dreams, Chicharito has conjured up fond memorys of another slightly built forward who was plucked from obscurity to weave his mark on super-sub folklore. And we all know how the Champions League final of '99 ended for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
With three weeks to go until the showpiece event, the tension is palpable. Barcelona will enter the match as favourites, justifiable trumpeted as the "best club side in history," yet football has an uncanny knack of delivering a surprise or two.
In my humble opinion, the way that Sir Alex chooses to utilise Javier Hernandez could be key to the destination of the trophy at ninety minutes end.
Barcelona may well win, that I am not arguing with. Just dont claim that the result is a foregone conclusion.
It will be as easy as shelling peas for Barcelona, another friend said. He, like Barcelona, clearly didnt know too much about the littlest pea of them all.
NewDawnTz
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 15, 2010
- 1,667
- 362
Read this peace of analysis from Arsenal FC Fan
Wayne Rooney vs Lionel Messi: Comparing the Stars of the Champions League Final
l By Aditya M S (Featured Columnist) on May 18, 2011
Claudio Villa/Getty Images
Spains best vs. Englands best.
Englands best player vs. the worlds best player.
FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United.
Wayne Rooney vs. Lionel Messi.
Saturday, the 28th of May will see the Red Devils take on La Blaugrana in a repeat of the 2009 UEFA Champions League final.
It seems fitting that these two teams would meet in the final this season. Both teams are aiming for the double after clinching their domestic titles with ease this season.
This thrilling contest will pit Pep Guardiola against Sir Alex Ferguson, who are arguably two of the best managers in world football right now. Over the past three seasons, there have been few coaches who have been as good as them.
May 28th will witness these teams take the field at Wembley and this one promises to be a much more even contest than the one back in 2009, when the Catalan giants steamrolled the Red Devils.
This epic clash will feature the battle between Barcelonas Lionel Messi and Manchester Uniteds Wayne Rooney.
While Messi is widely considered to be one of the worlds best if not the best, Rooney generates contrasting opinions among the masses. Some call him overrated while the others see him as a genius with the ball in his feet, a true team player.
As an Arsenal fan, I am supposed to loathe Rooney and his club but I have to say I fall into the latter category. I see him as a great player and while he has some issues with his temper and temperament, I see him as a great player and right now he is the best English player out there.
So far it is fair to say that despite his younger age, Messi has had a far more successful career. Just 23 and yet he has already won two Ballon dOrs, something Rooney has failed to do. Messi has scored 179 times in just 268 games while Rooney has managed 168 in 397 games.
While this might show a big gap in quality, the reality is that Messi is better, but not by much like some Messi fanatics would like to point out.
But on 28th all that well count for nothing as the two players take the field in an effort to bring glory for their respective teams. Last time around, it was Messi who won the battle between the two as he scored the second goal in Barcelonas 2-0 win over Manchester United.
The two of them go into this clash in great form but they have had contrasting seasons.
Messis Season so Far
Messi has picked up from where he left of last season and has cemented his claim as the worlds best player right now. Last season he managed 47 goals and 11 assists but this season he has already managed to break all records and has notched up a total of 52 goals with 24 assists to go along with.
All this just goes to show what a fantastic season he is having for the Catalan giants. The impressive fact about all of Messis statistics is that he is not just dominating the goals scored department but he is also equally impressive when it comes to providing assists to his teammates.
Which player is better of the two?
He has scored several important goals for Barcelona in the Champions League and in the league, including a brace against Real Madrid in the first leg of their semifinal tie. He also scored a brace in the 3-1 defeat of Arsenal in the knockout stages that helped Barcelona overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg and progress into the latter stages of Europes premier competition.
This season Messi has taken his game to the next level and few in world football can come close to his unparalleled genius and ability with the ball in his feet. Messi has been supremely consistent this season and whatever the occasion, big or small, has delivered the goods for Pep Guardiolas side.
Rooneys Season so Far
Rooney has had a topsy turvy season this time around and has gone from being the villain of Manchester to become the hero once again. Rooney incurred the wrath of the United faithful when he questioned their ability to win trophies and sought to leave the club.
He finally decided to stay albeit for a larger paycheck and his decision to stand alongside Ferguson has paid rich dividends as United won an unprecedented 19th title to knock Liverpool off their perch.
Last season, Rooney was sublime has he found the back of the net 34 times. But at the start of the season, he seemed to have not recovered from the 2010 World Cup debacle and was in shambles.
His form at the start of the year was pathetic and that could be considered an understatement. The fact that he scored his first goal from open play this season on January 1st 2011 just goes onto show what a horror season he was having.
But as they say, form is temporary but class is permanent and the same proved to be true with Rooney as he silenced his critics with some fantastic performances including a hat-trick against West Ham as he inspired the Red Devils to fight back from a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2.
Since then he has been on fire and has found the net 15 times this season including 11 assists. This season he is no longer the lone striker he was like last season but is instead dropping much deeper nowadays to accommodate the fantastic, Javier Hernandez, who has easily been one of the best buys of the year.
He has been much more of a team player this season and has changed and adapted himself for the betterment of the team and it working brilliantly.
Rooney has been dropping much deeper and has been playing as a sort of second striker this season often moving into the wings. It is from the wings that he has started to produce some truly fantastic crosses into the box for Hernandez to attack.
He has started to thrive in his new role and has produced some man of the match performances. He has shown his versatility this season and despite a slow start, he has been one of Uniteds standout performers this season.
How to Neutralize the Threat of Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi does not have too many weaknesses and that is expected from the best player in the world.
But while Mourinho might have failed in ending the Barcelona juggernaut, the performances of his Madrid team, taught the world some valuable lessons, in how to keep the great man down.
Mourinho went with three defensive midfielders, and while Ferguson should not go with such a defensive approach, he can take a leaf out of Mourinhos playbook and keep a man to stick with Messi at all times and track the runs of the Argentinean.
This will require the much-maligned, Michael Carrick to start and keep a tight rein over the threat of Messi. Like Pepe demonstrated in the first half of the clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, by doubling up on Messi and sticking with him at all times, he can be stopped. This will require Carrick to cramp the little wizard and prevent him from having too much time on the ball.
It is often said that Messi is over-dependent on the midfield duo of Xavi and Iniesta and while that is not true, it is essential that United cut down the supply to Messi by keeping a tight midfield and that will require United to win the midfield battle and look to congest it as much as possible.
For this to take place, midfield duo of Fletcher and Carrick will have to be tight and cannot afford to be run over by Barcelonas talented midfield.
Manchester United must look to limit the supply line to Messi and must allow that he is allowed neither the time nor the space on the ball.
How to Neutralize the Threat of Wayne Rooney
The fact that Sergio Busquets is playing will be great news for the Barcelona faithful as Busquets contributions is often overlooked. But despite all that he is an essential component of the Barcelona side and his importance against United cannot be stressed.
Manchester Uniteds last loss came to Arsenal and in that win, it was Arsenals defensive midfielder, Alex Song, that kept Rooney in check and prevented him from having free rein. Busquets should look to do much of the same.
Rooney has a habit of dropping deep and launching some brilliant cross field balls that can cause havoc. Busquets cannot afford to give the Englishman any time on the ball and must look to close him down quickly before he can use his great skills into effect. Busquets must remain tight on Rooney throughout the match.
Busquets is a supremely talented player and he can do the job and the severity of the task at hand will depend a lot on what Wayne Rooney turns up on that night.
Which Player can Lead Their Team to Glory?
There is no doubt that both players are great ones and both have the ability to take their team all the way but sadly, only one player can do that and I think that one will be Messi.
Right now Barcelona are the better team but not by much. Messi has an uncanny ability to produce something out of nothing like he did against
Right now Barcelona are the better team but not by much. Messi has an uncanny ability to produce something out of nothing like he did against Real Madrid and he usually savours the big situation.
And with it not getting any bigger than this, I expect Messi to thrive on the big stage at the Wembley and I feel that he has the ability to lead Barcelona to their second European crown in just three seasons.
David Ramos/Getty Images
My Pick
When all this is said done, I would still take Rooney's team rather than Messi's. Not because he is the better player. No, I do know that Messi is the better player but I feel that Rooney will have a lot to offer any team.
His adaptability and willingness to work for the team is commendable. He is one of those attackers who I see constantly helping out the defenders and this is essential for any team. Many teams often attack as a team but defensively fail to do so.
Having players like Rooney will come as a major boost as it is always refreshing to see attackers willing to do the hard work.
His technical ability is also good and while not as good as Messi, I would take him in my team, over Messi but definitely not by much. But that is merely a personal choice and I am sure an overwhelming majority of people feel that Messi is far superior .
NewDawnTz
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 15, 2010
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:tonguez:
Barcelona vs. Man United: 11 Questions Heading into the Champions League Final?
ByAndrew Jordan (Featured Columnist) on May 17, 2011
Claudio Villa/Getty Images
Now that the Champions League final is less than two weeks away, attention has been directed at the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.
So far, both sides have been able to win their respective domestic crowns and can claim that they are among some of the greatest sides to ever win the Champions League.
This matchup will also showcase some of the greatest footballers in the world in Lionel Messi, David Villa, Xavi, Andres Inieista and Carles Puyol for Barcelona and Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Edwin Van der Sar for Manchester United.
Going into this final, there are many different questions that are being asked about these two sides. With this in mind, here are 11 questions that will be faced by both sides in this final.
Will Manchester United Show Up Flat Like in the 2009 Final?
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
In the 2009 final, Manchester United showed up for all of 10 minutes before they fell apart and allowed Barcelona to take over.
This performance from Manchester United ranks as one of the worst performances in a cup final under Sir Alex Ferguson.
But in this final, I don't expect Manchester United to do that again due in large part to the embarrassment that they suffered in 2009.
Will Barcelona Put Together Another Piece of Football Mastery?
David Ramos/Getty Images
Throughout the first half of the 2010-2011 season, Barcelona put together some of the greatest performances that some people have ever seen in club football.
In 2009, Barcelona were able to master the Red Devils in the Champions League final and many people think that they can do it again.
I don't think Barcelona will achieve the level of dominance that they had in 2009 due to there recent fall in play.
How Successfully Can Manchester United Contain Barcelona's Passing Game?
David Ramos/Getty Images
One of the most important facets of Barcelona's game is their passing game that is led by their amazing midfield.
If anybody is going to beat Barcelona, they have to find a way to stop their midfield before they can focus on beating the Catalan side.
I think that Man United will be able to contain Barcelona's passing game to a degree, but they will need to show an unheard amount of athleticism to completely shut down the passing game.
Will David Villa Score?
David Ramos/Getty Images
Since the start of March, David Villa has only been able to score one goal for Barcelona, which has also been a stretch where Barcelona's play has started to weaken.
If David Villa can show that he can score goals like he is capable of doing, Barcelona can easily win this final but until he shows that his scoring ability is back, then I don't expect Villa to score.
Will Wayne Rooney Show Up in This Final?
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
In two Champions League finals, Wayne Rooney has failed to score one goal and Manchester United have only scored once in those two finals.
Rooney has been able to put together a strong second half of a season for Man United, but if they are to win, he will need to put together a great performance.
In this final, I expect Wayne Rooney to show up and give Manchester United a strong chance in Wembley.
What Barcelona Side Will Show Up?
Denis Doyle/Getty Images
The second half of this season has not been that kind to Barcelona and even though they have been able to still register wins and win La Liga, they have not been convincing in the process
In this final, I expect Barcelona to come out stronger but not to the degree that they were against Real Madrid back in November.
Will Darren Fletcher Start?
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
In the 2009 final, Darren Fletcher was suspended and watched Barcelona dominate Manchester United without him.
This year, Fletcher will not be suspended but might miss the final due to the prolonged effects that a virus from the winter has put on him.
Fletcher still has two matches (home vs Blackpool and Gary Neville's testimonial) before the Champions League final to achieve full match fitness.
My guess is that Fletcher will start this final and give Manchester United a better chance of winning by keeping up with Barcelona's midfield.
What Type of Performance Will Lionel Messi Provide Us?
Claudio Villa/Getty Images
In the 2009 final, Lionel Messi proved to the world that he is the best footballer in the world with a Man of the Match performance that featured a brilliant goal off a header.
This year Messi has continued his great form and has scored 52 goals and has 24 assists in just 54 matches.
In this final, I think Messi will put together a great performance for Barcelona that will be remembered by many.
How Will Edwin Van Der Sar Play in His Final Match?
Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Back in 2008, Edwin Van der Sar was able to put together a great performance in goal for Man United as they won the Champions League final, which was the Dutchman's second Champions League triumph after winning with Ajax back in 1995.
The Dutchman has had an amazing career with Manchester United and his presence will certainly be missed next season.
In the final match of his career, I see Van der Sar putting on an amazing performance to close out an amazing career.
Can Pep Guardiola Beat Sir Alex Ferguson Again?
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
In his first season as manager, Pep Guardiola was able to stun many people in the football world with the Barcelona side that he assembled that won the Spanish treble.
Now Guardiola will face Sir Alex again in a Champions League final and a win here certainly would put Guardiola among the greatest managers of all time.
Right now, I am unsure if Guardiola will win this final but considering how strong Barcelona are and the fact that he has already beaten Fergie before, there is no question that he can beat the great Scot manager again.
Will This Final Live Up to Expectations?
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Going into the 2009 final there were many people who thought that this Champions League final would be one of the greatest finals in Champions League history.
However that final was not one of the greatest finals ever due to Barcelona's dominance and now many people wonder if this final will live up to expectations.
I think that this final will live up to expectations and will be one of the greatest Champions League finals ever due to the immense amount of talent on both sides and Barcelona will not be able to completely dominate like they did in 2009.
Barcelona vs. Man United: 11 Questions Heading into the Champions League Final | Bleacher Report
Barcelona vs. Man United: 11 Questions Heading into the Champions League Final?
ByAndrew Jordan (Featured Columnist) on May 17, 2011
Now that the Champions League final is less than two weeks away, attention has been directed at the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.
So far, both sides have been able to win their respective domestic crowns and can claim that they are among some of the greatest sides to ever win the Champions League.
This matchup will also showcase some of the greatest footballers in the world in Lionel Messi, David Villa, Xavi, Andres Inieista and Carles Puyol for Barcelona and Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Edwin Van der Sar for Manchester United.
Going into this final, there are many different questions that are being asked about these two sides. With this in mind, here are 11 questions that will be faced by both sides in this final.
Will Manchester United Show Up Flat Like in the 2009 Final?
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In the 2009 final, Manchester United showed up for all of 10 minutes before they fell apart and allowed Barcelona to take over.
This performance from Manchester United ranks as one of the worst performances in a cup final under Sir Alex Ferguson.
But in this final, I don't expect Manchester United to do that again due in large part to the embarrassment that they suffered in 2009.
Will Barcelona Put Together Another Piece of Football Mastery?
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Throughout the first half of the 2010-2011 season, Barcelona put together some of the greatest performances that some people have ever seen in club football.
In 2009, Barcelona were able to master the Red Devils in the Champions League final and many people think that they can do it again.
I don't think Barcelona will achieve the level of dominance that they had in 2009 due to there recent fall in play.
How Successfully Can Manchester United Contain Barcelona's Passing Game?
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One of the most important facets of Barcelona's game is their passing game that is led by their amazing midfield.
If anybody is going to beat Barcelona, they have to find a way to stop their midfield before they can focus on beating the Catalan side.
I think that Man United will be able to contain Barcelona's passing game to a degree, but they will need to show an unheard amount of athleticism to completely shut down the passing game.
Will David Villa Score?
Since the start of March, David Villa has only been able to score one goal for Barcelona, which has also been a stretch where Barcelona's play has started to weaken.
If David Villa can show that he can score goals like he is capable of doing, Barcelona can easily win this final but until he shows that his scoring ability is back, then I don't expect Villa to score.
Will Wayne Rooney Show Up in This Final?
In two Champions League finals, Wayne Rooney has failed to score one goal and Manchester United have only scored once in those two finals.
Rooney has been able to put together a strong second half of a season for Man United, but if they are to win, he will need to put together a great performance.
In this final, I expect Wayne Rooney to show up and give Manchester United a strong chance in Wembley.
What Barcelona Side Will Show Up?
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The second half of this season has not been that kind to Barcelona and even though they have been able to still register wins and win La Liga, they have not been convincing in the process
In this final, I expect Barcelona to come out stronger but not to the degree that they were against Real Madrid back in November.
Will Darren Fletcher Start?
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In the 2009 final, Darren Fletcher was suspended and watched Barcelona dominate Manchester United without him.
This year, Fletcher will not be suspended but might miss the final due to the prolonged effects that a virus from the winter has put on him.
Fletcher still has two matches (home vs Blackpool and Gary Neville's testimonial) before the Champions League final to achieve full match fitness.
My guess is that Fletcher will start this final and give Manchester United a better chance of winning by keeping up with Barcelona's midfield.
What Type of Performance Will Lionel Messi Provide Us?
In the 2009 final, Lionel Messi proved to the world that he is the best footballer in the world with a Man of the Match performance that featured a brilliant goal off a header.
This year Messi has continued his great form and has scored 52 goals and has 24 assists in just 54 matches.
In this final, I think Messi will put together a great performance for Barcelona that will be remembered by many.
How Will Edwin Van Der Sar Play in His Final Match?
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Back in 2008, Edwin Van der Sar was able to put together a great performance in goal for Man United as they won the Champions League final, which was the Dutchman's second Champions League triumph after winning with Ajax back in 1995.
The Dutchman has had an amazing career with Manchester United and his presence will certainly be missed next season.
In the final match of his career, I see Van der Sar putting on an amazing performance to close out an amazing career.
Can Pep Guardiola Beat Sir Alex Ferguson Again?
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In his first season as manager, Pep Guardiola was able to stun many people in the football world with the Barcelona side that he assembled that won the Spanish treble.
Now Guardiola will face Sir Alex again in a Champions League final and a win here certainly would put Guardiola among the greatest managers of all time.
Right now, I am unsure if Guardiola will win this final but considering how strong Barcelona are and the fact that he has already beaten Fergie before, there is no question that he can beat the great Scot manager again.
Will This Final Live Up to Expectations?
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Going into the 2009 final there were many people who thought that this Champions League final would be one of the greatest finals in Champions League history.
However that final was not one of the greatest finals ever due to Barcelona's dominance and now many people wonder if this final will live up to expectations.
I think that this final will live up to expectations and will be one of the greatest Champions League finals ever due to the immense amount of talent on both sides and Barcelona will not be able to completely dominate like they did in 2009.
Barcelona vs. Man United: 11 Questions Heading into the Champions League Final | Bleacher Report
myao wa tunduru
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 9, 2010
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manchester watacheza pungufu uwanjani si kwa kupewa red card bali wachezaji wao watatu kutaka kumkaba messi peke yake...........
EMT
Platinum Member
- Jan 13, 2010
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Mkuu kumbuka kuna ahera pia na wengi wataangukia huko. Tokea lini Red Devils wakaonekana mbinguni? ha hah ha haa. kazi ipo.
Kalumbesa
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 24, 2010
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Man U have looked to be a very hardworking team,unpredictable and capable of getting good results,even when they are not playing well..They will head into Wembley on May 28 with an ambition and determination to get a results.,but they will have a slight chance of winning it as Barca will heavily win the key part of success and that's the midfield....Xavi Hernandes,Sergio Busquets and Iniesta have proved to be pivotal for Barca's success and i cant see players at the heart of midfield of Man U to compete or stop this guys....Barca will comfortably win this one as well!!
