Champions league final - Wed 27th May 2009 - Rome - PakPassion

On_the_up

Less than a week to go before the club kings of europe are decided. Potentially a great final if both teams try to play positively which they just might.

Achievements

Manchester united : winners (1968, 1999, 2008) never lost a final.
Barcelona : Winners (1992, 2006), runners up (1961,1986,1994)

Fourth European Cup Final For Stadio Olimpico capacity :72,698

Rome's Stadio Olimpico will be staging its fourth European Cup final. Liverpool beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 in the 1977 final. Liverpool then beat Roma 1-1 (4-2 on penalties in 1984. And Juventus knocked off Ajax 1-1 (4-2 on penalties) for the 1996 title.

Manchester United Season In Review

Alex Ferguson's United went undefeated in the first group stage to finish atop Group E with 10 points from six matches, including four draws - two of those scoreless contests against second placed Villareal. ManU knocked off Internazionale Milano 2-0 in the first knockout round before beating Porto 3-2 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, Manchester won the first leg at home 1-0 before beating Arsenal 3-1 in London for a 4-1 aggregate victory to advance to their fourth final.

Barcelona Season In Review

Barcelona had to reach the Champions League through the qualifying rounds. Josep Guardiola's team brushed off Wisla Krakow 4-1 on aggregate after a 4-0 first leg win at home in the third qualifying round. The Spanish giants finished first in Group C with 13 points from six matches. They collected four wins and a draw to start the group - including 3-1 and 5-2 victories over eventual second-placed Sporting before losing 3-2 at home against eventual UEFA Cup finalists Shakhtar Donetsk. Barca cruised past Lyon 6-3 on aggregate in the first knockout round. In the quarter-finals, Barcelona thrashed Bayern Munich 4-0 in the first leg before winning 5-1 on aggregate. The semi-final showdown with Chelsea proved very dramatic. After a 0-0 first leg draw in Spain, Andres Iniesta hit a goal three minutes into injury time to equalise 1-1 and win the tie on away goals to reach their sixth European final.

Tenth Meeting Between ManU-Barca

The final will be the tenth meeting between Manchester United and Barcelona. United have three victories, while Barca have two wins and there have been four draws. The most recent match-up was last season's semi-final in which Manchester United won the return leg 1-0 to take the tie 1-0 on aggregate.

Missing Players

Three players will be suspended for the final. Manchester United will have to do without Darren Fletcher while Barcelona will be without Eric Abidal and Dani Alves.

Repeat Champions

There have been eight teams to notch successive title in Europe's elite club competition. They are Real Madrid (1956-60), Benfica (1961-62), Internazionale (1964-65), Ajax Amsterdam (1971-73), Bayern Munich (1974-76) Liverpool (1977-78), Nottingham Forest (1979-80) and AC Milan (1989-90).

Guardiola Looks For Title As Player, Coach

With Barcelona victory, coach Josep Guardiola would become the sixth person to win the European Cup as a player and coach. He was a part of the 1992 Barcelona team to beat Sampdoria 1-0. The others are Miguel Muñoz (player with Real Madrid 1956,1957; coach with Madrid 1960, 1966); Giovanni Trapattoni, (with Milan 1963, 1969; with Juventus 1985); Johan Cruyff (with AFC Ajax 1971, 1972, 1973; with Barcelona 1992); Carlo Ancelotti (with Milan 1989, 1990; with Milan 2003); Frank Rijkaard (with Milan 1989, 1990, with Ajax 1995; with Barcelona 2006).

United Look To Stay Undefeated

United are in the middle of a record 25-match unbeaten streak. And with a victory, Ferguson's men would win the European Cup without losing a match for the third time. Ajax (1972 and 1995), Liverpool (1981 and 1984), and Milan (1989 and 1994) were unbeaten champions twice.

http://european-football.suite101.co...league_preview

AZ

hate to say this but c'mon Bartha!

bone_thug786

COMON BARCA!!!
wish united have a few penalty appeals turned down aswell.

kingusama92

This is going to be a ripper of a game. Can't wait for it.

Glory Glory Manchester United!!

161

Barca will be missing some key players.

Alves/Abidal suspended.

Henry/Iniesta injured.

What a bummer .. I would have loved to see a full strength Barca team go head to head with Man U.

Afridi_Fan

Glory Glory Man United.

Geordie Ahmed

Man-Utd will win this i reckon and i think its going to be fairly easy unless Henry and Iniesta are fully fit

The Barca defence is very very weak and will undoubtedly be exploited

Still i hope its a good game - i want to see end to end stuff none of this cautious nonsense

AZ

I wouldn't say their defence is weak...more untested than anything else...I'm yet to see why Pique is so highly rated

Geordie Ahmed

Quote:

Originally Posted by AhmedZulfiqar

I wouldn't say their defence is weak...more untested than anything else...I'm yet to see why Pique is so highly rated

Pique has been Barca's best defender in the last few weeks by a country mile - i didnt think he was all that BUT i have been very impressed by him.

Without Alves and Abidal (tho he has been dodgy) their 1st choice full backs they are weak - and Puyol has had injury problems of late and isnt match fit

161

Puyol isn't fit either ... oh my.

Geordie Ahmed

Quote:

Originally Posted by kashif77

Puyol isn't fit either ... oh my.

No he shud be fit BUT the last month or so has seen him in and out of the side - is definately out of form

Barca's defence is certainly weak and Man-U will be able to break them down with ease as long as they attack

On_the_up

The bookies can't separate them. No clear favourite.

161

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed

No he shud be fit BUT the last month or so has seen him in and out of the side - is definately out of form

Barca's defence is certainly weak and Man-U will be able to break them down with ease as long as they attack

Pep has a bit of a juggling act to do in the back.

I hope he doesn't take Toure out of the midfield again .. he's just too important in that role to be removed.

Pique and Marquez/Caceres should be in the center with Puyol at right back and Sylvinho at left.

If Henry and Iniesta are unfit I'd go with Hleb and Bojan as replacements.

Shahid A

All this hype and we will see an boring 0-0 going to pentalites or an 1-0 boring match never be like Liverppol v Milan

but COME ON MESSI SHOW WHY YOU THE BEST IN THE WORLD

Amjid Javed

Quote:

Originally Posted by kashif77

Pep has a bit of a juggling act to do in the back.

I hope he doesn't take Toure out of the midfield again .. he's just too important in that role to be removed.

Pique and Marquez/Caceres should be in the center with Puyol at right back and Sylvinho at left.

If Henry and Iniesta are unfit I'd go with Hleb and Bojan as replacements.

If henry and Iniesta need to be 100% fir because Barca cant afford any players to be off-colour for the Final.

Saj

I'd like to see Barca win, but I think Man Utd will do a Chelsea on them and outmuscle them and sneak a win.

Zahid87

CMON MAN UTD!!!!

Can't wait for this....I know its going to disappoint most people in terms of the type of game it will be, but couldn't give a **** to be honest so long as we win.

Btw did anyone see the preview in the UK on Sky Sports 1. They hand Ronaldo interviewing himself. Was hilarious, but he confirmed that he will stay at United.

Amir

I am very nervous. Very. But excited and anxious. Can't wait.

As always I must do this...."This is the CHAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMPIONS"

Invincible, I am going to Bomber. If you see a Tevez jersey, and a short guy...90% its me.

On_the_up

Some Stats:

Barcelona have never beaten Man U in the Champions league

Messi has never scored against an English team in his last 8 matches or so

Lets hope its an open final, some great attacking talent on show.

Geordie Ahmed

Quote:

Originally Posted by On_the_up

Some Stats:

Barcelona have never beaten Man U in the Champions league

Messi has never scored against an English team in his last 8 matches or so

Lets hope its an open final, some great attacking talent on show.

They thumped Man-U 4-0 back in 1994

Shahid A

1 more fact :

Ronaldo has failed to score in his six games against Spanish opposition.

Shahid A

Late Ronaldo Worry For Man Utd

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...350182,00.html

bone_thug786

Ronaldo missed a penalty against barcalona and then another against chelsea last season. can he handle the pressure?!??!

Oxy

I'll be going to watch Glamorgan v Gloucestershire if the rain holds back.

3-1 Man U is my prediction though

Geordie Ahmed

I want Barca to win BUT reckon Man-U will triumph 3-1 with Ronaldo getting a brace

Still undecided if i am going to watch this - not really in the mood seeing a team lift a trophy

inzamam_1

United going with Giggs, Anderson and Carrick in midfield with Park Rooney and Ronaldo up top. Looks good, Park will help Evra with dealing with Messi. Rooney and Vidic to score for me... Come on United!

Geordie Ahmed

Barcelona: Valdes, Puyol, Toure, Pique, Sylvinho, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Eto'o, Henry.
Subs: Pinto, Caceres, Gudjohnsen, Krkic, Keita, Rodriguez, Muniesa.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Ronaldo, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Nani, Scholes, Rafael, Evans, Tevez.

Geordie Ahmed

So Henry and Iniesta make it - wonder whether they are 100% or not, not happy about Toure playing centre back BUT they have no choice

IAJ

Well to be honest, Messi is enough.
Barca 3
red devils 1

Amjid Javed

What a shot from messi! Van der saar was scrambling then!

Amjid Javed

Barca lead by Etoos goal but United are the better side so far!

Amjid Javed

United have had probably 10 attempts to Barcas 1!

Amjid Javed

Xavi clips a free-kick just wide as Barca start to toy with United now.

Amjid Javed

Game has gone into a lul now with no real chances.

Amjid Javed

Barca trying to walk the ball into net! Somebody please shoot!

Amjid Javed

HT - Barca 1 - 0 Man Utd

Amjid Javed

Tevez on for anderson at HT!

Amjid Javed

what a chance for henry! Saved by VDS!

Amjid Javed

Superb cross from silvinho and eto nearly sneaks in!

Amjid Javed

Etoo almost finds messi now!

shades of 99 finals so far!

Amjid Javed

Iniesta now brought down on egde of box... all barca at moment!

Amjid Javed

Xavi now hits the post!

pak4life

seriously barca need to score another goal man u will definate take over in the last 10/15 mins

Amjid Javed

Man utd now get into the Barca half finally!

Barca should have killed this game off by now!

Amjid Javed

Park almost gets on end of a cross!

Amjid Javed

Henry has shot saved by VDS

Amjid Javed

Park off and berbatov now on...

Amjid Javed

goal

2-0 messiiiiiiiiiii

Amjid Javed

What a save by Valdes! from ronaldo!

Amjid Javed

Messi scores in the Big game!

Amjid Javed

Puyol almost makes it 3-0!

Amjid Javed

12 mins to go...

Amjid Javed

Disgusting tackle by scholes! should have been a red card!

Amjid Javed

Puyol again denined by VDS!

Amjid Javed

1 min to go and barca are the champs!

Amjid Javed

Barca set to be Euro champs for 3rd time.

Amjid Javed

Man of match for me iniesta goes off!

Oxy

Just got back from Glamorgan v Gloucester T20.

Was listening to it on the radio

A 2-0 hammering.

Seems like none of the Man U team turned up???

'They'll be crying on the streets of Londinium tonight'

invincible

Congratulations to Barca for winning the treble ... Ultimately, they were the better team ...

After the early momentum, we went no where. Even though we created many chances in the box, the finishing boots were left behind in Manchester I am afraid. I Still can't believe so many of our big players (Rooney, Anderson, Giggs) were so average when the big moment called upon them.

Having said that - we got to the final and the lads deserve a lot of credit for that. Great season inspite of what happened today. Enjoyed it till the last moment.

Oxy

Glamorgan were on the verge of winning by the way

invincible

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxy

Just got back from Glamorgan v Gloucester T20.

Was listening to it on the radio

A 2-0 hammering.

Seems like none of the Man U team turned up???

'They'll be crying on the streets of Londinium tonight'

When Messi scores a free header from 10 yards out, you know the defense (in particular Ferdinand) had a bad game

O'Shea was class though

Him and Ronaldo are the only players who can walk out of the pitch knowing they gave it all ...

Oxy

Just seen the goals - Where were the centre backs when the 'giant' 5ft 7ins Messi rose and headed in??

Oxy

Pleased for Thierry Henry - impressive CV now complete

invincible

Atleast United won one battle

Ronaldo was better than Messi tonight. Showed he had a much better allround game than Messi. Played well upfront as a striker, did well on the wings, also showed he could tackle dirty

But for everyone's sake, I hope both these idiots realize that there is another player on this planet playing much better than them at the moment. Name you ask? Starts with I. Ends with A. A dribbling CM is as beautiful to watch as anything else in the game of football. Giggs showed it for United against Chelsea. And Iniesta showed it today. I tip my hat to this guy. No shame in admitting that he's my favorite player (way before this game too -- had a spain jersey of him). Too bad, he had to be so good against us.

Oxy

Ferguson coughing his guts up in his interview!

Oxy

So the game was a bit of stinker?

Iniesta seems to have run the show...on one leg

Amjid Javed

So made up for Henry and Barca!

Messi best player in world!

Oxy

HAHA! Which genius made Man Utd dress up as Real Madrid?

That would have pumped them up even more!!

Immy Ji

I bet Patrice Evra is eating humble pie now after talking a lot cr-p about Arsenal and Fabregas

I got a message to Evra; Barcelona's victory over United, was like men against babies!

*DO DO DOOOO, SHAME ABOUT UNITED*

invincible

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immy Ji

I bet Patrice Evra is eating humble pie now after talking a lot cr-p about Arsenal and Fabregas

I got a message to Evra; Barcelona's victory over United, was like men against babies!

*DO DO DOOOO, SHAME ABOUT UNITED*

1) We reached the finals beating Arsenal with aggregate 4-1

2) Evra did well against Messi. Infact, until the goal, Messi's influence on the game was minimal. Even the goal was down to Ferdinand's error.

Oxy

I noted that Ferguson was talking about European greats that had won it back to back yesterday - mentioned Real Madrid, Ajax, AC Milan....failed to mention a certain team....that was picked up by the media today.

Better luck next year...

invincible

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxy

I noted that Ferguson was talking about European greats yesterday - mentioned Real Madrid, Ajax, AC Milan....failed to mention a certain team....that was picked up by the media today.

Better luck next year...

It's not his fault. Benitez himself pleaded to Ferguson to stop talking about Liverpool. So he did.

Oxy

Quote:

Originally Posted by invincible

It's not his fault. Benitez himself pleaded to Ferguson to stop talking about Liverpool. So he did.

Thats clutching, but its all allowable tonight

Amjid Javed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immy Ji

I bet Patrice Evra is eating humble pie now after talking a lot cr-p about Arsenal and Fabregas

I got a message to Evra; Barcelona's victory over United, was like men against babies!

*DO DO DOOOO, SHAME ABOUT UNITED*

Haha Evra the fool should now go eat humble pie.

Tonight was men v Boys!

madaboutlfc

what a performance by the best team in Europe by a mile.. mancs lack of midfielders was brutally exposed.. you need ball winners and their two hargreaveas and fletcher were not playing but Barca were without so many players.. I mean Abidal, Marquez, Milito and Alves are a great back4 on its own.. add others like a half fit Henry and Iniesta though he didnt play like it makes it even better..

invincible

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxy

Thats clutching, but its all allowable tonight

I actually wanted to point out that SAF was talking about clubs who actually defended the trophy in bunches. He even used that word. Ajax did a hatrick. Milan defended the trophy thrice. Madrid again had won 5 titles in a row. However, Liverpool defended the trophy only once. Doesn't quite compare with the rest. Also, I like how the media ignore the previous press conference when SAF mentioned Liverpool in all the clubs who won more than 4 european cups ...

TAK

Quote:

Originally Posted by invincible

Even though we created many chances in the box, the finishing boots were left behind in Manchester I am afraid.

are you a recent convert to football ?

you use a strange lexicon

Amjid Javed

Quote:

Originally Posted by madaboutlfc

what a performance by the best team in Europe by a mile.. mancs lack of midfielders was brutally exposed.. you need ball winners and their two hargreaveas and fletcher were not playing but Barca were without so many players.. I mean Abidal, Marquez, Milito and Alves are a great back4 on its own.. add others like a half fit Henry and Iniesta though he didnt play like it makes it even better..

Anti-football didnt work tonight. Its alot different ball game when you have to chase the game v Barca or try to take them on based on pure football.

Anderson ran around like a headless chicken tonight and flecther was missed big time. Barca gave a true master class in how football should be played!