Champions League 2008-09 Thread

[celticmaestro]

I went to Rome this year, I had the time of my life. As part of the same trip, I went to Barcelona and had an equally amazing time. Tonight, my team plays Barca in Rome. I hope these good omens pay off tonight.

With regards to the game, I think our team should be as follows:

Van der Sar
O'Shea-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra
Scholes-Carrick-Anderson
Park-Ronaldo-Rooney

With this team I hope we can choke off Xavi and Iniesta and the outstanding defensive trio of Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra can contain Henry, Eto'o and Messi while the attacking threat and pace of Park, Ronaldo and Rooney can make up for the loss of Alves and Abidal.

[Galiza Ceive]

MU is buche better off the pitch. There is no comparison between Sir Alex and Guardiola. Pepe maybe in 20 years will be the best coach in europe but today he doesn`t stand a chance against experienced coaches. Against Hidding he was clearly outclassed and didn`t do anything to help his team. Also MU`s bench is better. They can bring in players like Tevez or Scholes or Giggs. I can`t think of anyone on the other side ....

On the pitch Barcelona has many things to owrry. Inesta and Henry are not yet at 100% and i think Puyol is out too. Very important players.... And this time barca will need Messi to step up cause against Chelsea he was the Invisible man!

Still i`d say Who is optimistic about the odds. I`d say 52-48 for MU.

On a statistical note MU has never lost a European final and Barca is the first time that plays in a CL final against a team that`s been there before (the previous three times they faces arsenal,steaua and sampdoria)

Hey in 94 we played the final against Milan (althought we were destroyed 4-0) so it is not the first time we played a big team. Also in 61 we played Benfica so it is actually the sixth final.

And Puyol is playing...

You are right in Man U having better bench (specially considering the injuries of Milito, Marquez and the absence of Abidal and Alves). Guardiola didnt do anything against Chelsea simply because there was nothing left on the bench. But he is extremely smart and a very good coach.

Go Barca

[ederson]

A couple of hours i`ve heard on the radio that Sir Alex is going to use in the midfield Giggs Anderson Carrick In any case the ability to bring from the bench either Giggs or Scholes is huge advantage.

Messi VS Evra will be fun to watch

Inesta`s condition is the most important variable. Without him Xavi and Toure will have a very difficult task.

The biggest advantages for MU IMHO are
1)the coach
2)they know how to win close games. this seanon MU has won most of it`s games by one goal. barcelona on the other hand cruised in CL and primera winning most games by half time.

On the other hand barca advantage are
1)the the gifted attacking trio. You must expected everything from and you can never lose concetration.
2)their full pitch press. maybe inesta`s condition pay a role on this but so far barcelona choked the opposition and forced many turnovers.

BTW If i`m not wrong MU is unbeaten the last two years in CL. Last defeat was april in the semi against Milan.

@ Galiza Ceive
You are right!! I can`t believe i forgot the only cl final i was in the stadium!

@ houlana i don`t think that barcelona can have any complaints about the ref against Chelsea.

[cmbvale]

...
With regards to the game, I think our team should be as follows:

Van der Sar
O'Shea-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra
Scholes-Carrick-Anderson
Park-Ronaldo-Rooney

I would only change Giggs in for Scholes. Against Barça we need a mobile midfield and since we don't have Fletcher, Ryan is the next best thing.

If anything goes wrong just unleash Tevez and Berbatov.

UNITED UNITED UNITED

[MattG12]

Got my Manchester United jersey on... so pumped for the match. I would have liked Man U vs. Chelsea better but this will have to do. Manchester United win today 3 - 1.

Go Red Devils!

[crownsy]

anyone got online sites that are streaming this? im not out of work till 3:30.

[celticmaestro]

...
With regards to the game, I think our team should be as follows:

Van der Sar
O'Shea-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra
Scholes-Carrick-Anderson
Park-Ronaldo-Rooney

I would only change Giggs in for Scholes. Against Barça we need a mobile midfield and since we don't have Fletcher, Ryan is the next best thing.

If anything goes wrong just unleash Tevez and Berbatov.

UNITED UNITED UNITED

Agreed, I want Giggs to start but I heard it was Scholes. Apparently, Giggs in place of Scholes though.

[ACF]

Come on United!

[cmbvale]

Oficial Line ups.

Barcelona

    * 1 Víctor Valdés
    * 3 Gerard Piqué
    * 5 Carles Puyol
    * 6 Xavi Hernández
    * 8 Andrés Iniesta
    * 9 Samuel Eto'o
    * 10 Lionel Messi
    * 14 Thierry Henry
    * 16 Sylvinho
    * 24 Yaya Touré
    * 28 Sergio Busquets

Man. United

    * 1 Edwin van der Sar
    * 3 Patrice Evra
    * 5 Rio Ferdinand
    * 7 Cristiano Ronaldo
    * 8 Anderson
    * 10 Wayne Rooney
    * 11 Ryan Giggs
    * 13 Ji-Sung Park
    * 15 Nemanja Vidić
    * 16 Michael Carrick
    * 22 John O'Shea

[ederson]

Who`s second CD? Yaya Toure?

[Roy Hobbs]

Let's get it on!

[cmbvale]

It's time to play the game !!!

Let's go UNITED!!

[Edgar]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLL!!!!!!


Go Barza

Just when i was about to post ManU was closer

[Who]

Oh man, I love Eto'o. What a striker.

Someone get him a Chelsea jersey and briefcase full of money!

[pbak63]

United started well, but the goal has seen Barcelona look more than comfortable since then.

Barcelona look well organised and have no need to change anything yet.

United have lost the pace of the game - Rooney needs to get more involved.

I would replace Giggs with Tevez and press Barcelona's defenders more quickly.