Clash Of The Titans – Champions League Trophy

May 28, 2009

Clash Of The Titans – Champions League Trophy

Head To Head

Played   – 9
Man Utd   – 3
Barcelona - 2
Draws   – 4

It’s a fight for the Champions League Title for the best club in Europe. The Clash is between the English Champions and the Spanish Champions. Only time will tell whether Sir Alex Ferguson hunger will win or it will be the Pep Guardiola who won the title as a player in 1992 and now wants to do it as a coach. Sir Alex Ferguson would certainly like to continue the magical run of Manchester United. They are on an unbeaten run in the Champions League with an all time record of 25 games. It can certainly be said that all roads lead to Rome today when the Studio Olimpico hosts one of the most awaiting matched of the year.

champions league trophy Barcelona has a formidable attack like which includes Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’ and Thierry Henry who can penetrate any defense. The three strikes are supported by creative midfielders in the form of Andres Iniesta and Xavi. Barcelona lacks in its defense due to the absence of key players. Full back Eric Abidal and Dani Alves are out due to suspension and Rafael Marquez is on the bench due to injury. Another key factor would be the difference in the experience of the two coaches where Manchester United might gain an edge if the two forwards are kept under check. In the run-up to the finals Barcelona has show there inventiveness which can be a decisive weapon in their armory.

United has the best defenses one can ever think of, Edwin Van Der Sar has 14 matches to his credit where he has not coincided a single goal. Rio Ferdinand is expected to cover the centre with Nemanja Vidic on his side and Patrice Evra is expected to be left loose to control Messi. United also banks a lot on its two key stickers England’s Wayne Rooney and Portugal’s World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo. The also have start like Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez in the form of reserve should they need any change.

Coach’s and players said :

Sir Alex Ferguson:

“We have negatives in the game that surface every year in all different ways. When we get a game of football that gives the real story of football then we are all lifted by it. Football always needs a boost. Manchester United and Barcelona can do that in this final.”

“The players that Barcelona and Manchester United have suggests a great final. We are playing a team with a fantastic philosophy of football, a great history. I watched the game against Real Madrid, an absolutely magnificent performance, and I said to myself: ‘Christ, we have to play them’ but then Chelsea showed [in narrowly losing the semi] they can be ‘beaten’. I take some encouragement from that.’’

Pep Guardiola:

“This is the most important match of my life as a player and a coach. We have our way of playing but there are other ways of playing that are equally valid. So we don’t feel superior. We are just going to focus on our tactics.”

Lionel Messi:

“If we play as we have done all year then we will have a great chance to win. Manchester United have a very similar style to us, playing with the ball. They know how to counter well with speed and they are clinical.”

“There are not favourites, but they are the ones who are defending the title so perhaps they are just ahead. For us, it has been a magnificent year, but we still have one big test left. Being so close to history gives us great motivation.”

Rio Ferdinand:

“Defending so deep against such talented players can be dangerous. But we are capable of doing both (attacking and defending). That is the strength we have as a squad and a team.

“It will be difficult whoever plays against him (Messi), he is a fantastic player with great control but we’ve done it before.”

Jordi Cruyff:

“Like the old fox that he (Ferguson) is, he will have a surprise prepared to beat Barca. In my time at Old Trafford he used to make incredible decisions and if he used an unexpected player he would usually get it right. He is unpredictable, but his gambles almost always work out.”

Marcel Desailly:

“For the players it would be something special to retain the Champions League. You have all that pressure to deal with and have been working all year to get there.

“If you look at the two teams, they are both full of exceptionally gifted players. But Barcelona have a bit extra. They can hold their shape from the beginning to the end. They are the ones I think will win.”