May 05
Arsenal Away: Champions’ League Preview
It’s hard to talk about other things without getting the obvious rumour out of the way. The Guardian broke the news of United making an offer of £63m for Franck Ribery. Now before we get ahead of ourselves, let it be known that we just made an offer — assuming the story is true. (Raphael Honigstein did the exclusive, and although he’s one of the better journalists around — and among the nicer chaps based on my sources — you never know with so much time between now and the transfer window.)
All we know right now is that the club have made an offer. And that fact has been confirmed by some unnamed officials. I have only this to say: Transfers of major star names are not discreet affairs. Other parties will also be interested. An initial price is usually that — an initial price; it’s bound to go up. We are Manchester United. We always end up paying a United tax on these kind of transfers.
(You would notice, I haven’t even mentioned Ronaldo in all this. Well, I don’t think we have the funds to blow money on one player without selling one of our own of a comparable value.)
End of talk on that.
Let’s move on to what we have today.
Yes. The Champions’ League semi final against an old enemy. A rivalry that’s mellowed on all levels; be it between fans, players and even managers to more of mutual respect. Some United fans would chalk this down to a lack of challenge presented by the Gooners in recent times in the title challenge stakes. Some others would put it down to a lack of characters in either side who would be protagonists in the drama that unfolds on the stage.
But rivalry or no rivalry, United-Arsenal games have rarely disappointed in the quality of football. You’d always see both sides going for it or, at the least, one side dominating the other. What one rarely sees is a cagey match where either side is scared of losing.
That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that Ferguson might go for a safety first approach. It’s acceptable if we make good use of our counters. But if Fergie intends to play it like Camp Nou of last year, I’d be concerned. Just as we seem to be hitting the right notes as the season winds down, I’d expect a positive mentality going into today’s game. A positive mentality does not mean going hammer and tongs at the opposition, mind, but making a better than a token effort on the counter when we have possession; not dribbling our way to a corner flag.
Anyway, on the pre-match trash-talk press conference, the manager has stressed on the importance of going to the Emirates with the intent to score. Meanwhile Wenger is extremely confident of a ‘magnificent’ performance from his side. I must re-emphasise: he is extremely confident. Like he knows he’ll make it. A bit disturbing, I must say.
In their team news, van Persie is back, which is something to fear. They have a full strength squad in their attacking end (minus a cup tied Arshavin). A majority of their side has had a good week’s rest. Something we must be wary about.
We’ve had our own clutch of rested stars. The biggest boost for us is obviously the news that Rio is fit. In midfield we’ll possibly see the same line up as last time: Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick. In attack it is anyone’s guess, but Rooney and Ronaldo will occupy the left and right respectively, whilst it’s always going to be a toss up between Berbatov and Tevez. Being an away fixture it could be that Tevez’s endless running might tempt Fergie to go with him, but I’m no good at these prediction games. So I’ll let it be.
Anyway, I’m excited about today. I’m sure most of you are too. Prediction: 1-1.
Come on you reds!!! (Although we won’t be wearing red today. So I don’t mean the red team… but you know…)
Related items from Red Rants:
- Porto it is then…
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Manchester United vs Arsenal – UEFA Champions League semi-final Live Blog!
- Teams Start Talking Big As Champions’ League Clash Looms
- Portsmouth Preview
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
hahaha i thought that ballsack was going to fuck that ref up
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@Vivek: I don’t buy that argument of yours. I can’t see how you can say Chelsea didn’t deserve to be in the final ‘because they didn’t play’. By that line of reasoning we didn’t deserve to go to last years final when we didn’t really play, that too against a sub standard Barca team then. Chelsea played to their strengths and credit to them for the 180 mins. They should have had 2 penalties going by reports.
As a footballing argument, yes, the more technically proficient team made it to the final (minus Dani Alves and Abidal who’ll be suspended for the final) but we United fans will be hypocritical if we say Chelsea didn’t deserve just because they ‘didn’t play football’.
I am happy in a way that Barca are through though, because losing to them won’t hurt as much as losing to any of the other English sides.
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@gator: i could have swore he would have pushed him down and jumped on him over and over.
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plus no Alves OR Abidal!!!!
amazing
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@Vivek: Like it or not, we didn’t do much of note to ‘advance football’ in the offensive end apart from Scholesy’s screamer, and Ronaldo missing a penalty in the first 5 mins of the first leg.
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Anyone suspended for Barca for the final?
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@NicoQB: Alves and Abidal.
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abidal, alves and marques are out i believe so we should be able to push threw pique and puyol
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No Alves or Abidal!!!!
And with Ronaldo on the right and Rooney on the left on top form?
I’m starting to drool!!!
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@gator: this is a dream come true. really. we can shit on thier defence. i mean, they were awful today, only valiantly blocking long range shots… i can’t imagine them stopping our Fab Four…
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@Red Ranter:
We were not this bad last year in the semi. We kept the ball better and carved out some great chances in the 2nd leg. We did not bully the barca players, nor did we cheat like the despicable cunt Dogbreath. Did you see Ballack trying to manhandle the ref? Can you think of ANY United player who would react like that in any circumstance??
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@Red Ranter:
What about the 3 chances in the first half of the 2nd leg? What abt Nani heading agonisingly wide and Park shooting wide (first leg) And I certainly dont remember us hoofing the ball up at every opportunity. Nor do i remember us kicking lumps out of Xavi and co.. We were strong, but never overly so…
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@Vivek: A certain Wayne Rooney comes to mind…
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@Red Ranter:
And apparently, the TEN Sports pundits (dont know their names) agree with me. They were calling Chelscum all sorts of names. Absolutely loved it….
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@Vivek: oh, and Roy Keane if he were around.
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Does anyone think the rentboys will get punished for the frankly mental scenes at the end? Or will Uefa again show its true colors and bow to Roman’s rubles?
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I can honestly say that if United conceded the fortune of Chelski tonight, then I would either hang myself or go hunting for Øvrebø. What a fucking horrible ref, I have to say! Shame of Norway, no other thing to say. Chelski were the better side tonight, showing Barca that they can attack when they will. Chelski were unlucky tonight, or in other words, they were robbed!
Still, I am truly delighted Barca progressed. Like I said in one of my earlier comments, Alves missing the final will be truly wonderful for us. He is a monster of a right back, and I would have feared our chances with him on the field. But now he is out, and Barca will have to replace him with Sylvinho. I mean, Sylvinho?
Against Ronaldo? Im drooling all over the keyboard! 
Then Abidal gets sent off, which makes it all better!!! He is one of the top three best left backs in the world, and probably Barcas best defending player. Watching Barca for some years now, I will predict this team to start against United in Rome(if everyone stays fit).
Valdes
Sylvinho Puyol Pique Keita
Xavi Toure Iniesta
Messi Etoo Henry
Now let me just say that those front 6 really scare me. But I believe that Evra and Park can deal with Messi, Rio and Vida can deal with Etoo and Henry, and Carrick, Anderson and Giggs will be able to create trouble for Xavi, Inisesta and Toure. And with Barcas defense now losing their two qucik players, counter attack will be the recipe for success! Their back 4 is slower than the oldest defenders in the Serie A, and if we play Ronaldo, Park and Rooney i can see us score some goals.
Let me just say that Im looking forward to the final!
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Well I have to say that Chelsea got exactly what they deserved – NOTHING! Drogba was not touched, and yet fell down holding his face like he had been poleaxed. Anelka was already on his way down, and NO WAY should Barca’s full back have been sent off
. Chelsea were cheating big time, but fortunately came unstuck. Also the behaviour of some of their players towards the ref at the end was disgraceful, and I hope they throw the book at them. It is sooooooooooo good for us though, because we will be spared all the Chelsea players dramatics in build up to the final, which lets face it would have been a continual stream of WE WANT REVENGE for last year – I love it – 
. Anyone notice how depressed and FLAT IN MOOD ALL the media are because another London team lost out, no one DIED in the games did they 
.
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@RedDevilEddy: Chelsea were the better team tonight???? – Bro what game were you watching
.
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@Vivek: They’ll get punished, but it will only be a huge FINE, because Eufa will want to FILL their coffes once again with English ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££s
.
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@Craig Mc:
Exactly!!! It was like watching a glorified Bolton
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@Vivek:
– I agree!
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@Craig Mc: Only watched the highlights of the first half, and the last 30 minutes of the second. From what i saw, Chelsea actually were unlucky. Not something I dont appreciate thoguh, i love it when justice is done!
Fucking scum…
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@Vivek: I’m really glad that Barca are through (given the suspensions). I didn’t see the game, and the time of possession stat makes it obvious that Chelsea played very negatively, but it’s hard to argue that Barca is the better team and deserved to get through after taking only ONE shot on goal (Iniesta’s).
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I never saw the game as I was out but I am shocked by the result and how it happened. Sounds like the result was determined by poor refereeing again like it has so many times in the past few years. The game really needs to dig itself out of the dark ages and get with modern technology to help assist these muppets in making game changing decisions. If he missed two sure penalty calls that would have gone Chelsea’s way, then I’m sorry but that is grounds for bloody anarchy if you are a Chelsea or English football supporter. But I did not see the game so I will watch it on delay and make the determination myself.
As for the result, I am overjoyed. I was worried about Chelsea’s physicality and size and Barca doesn’t worry me in the least. Sure they are a fine club but they are only a Spanish version of Arsenal with more experience and class but a team that can be intimidated and taken out of their game. Abidal being out as well as Marquez and Alves is a lottery win for us as that is half of their back four and the two fullbacks are instrumental in helping build the team’s attack as well as giving Messi room and the ball. United will win the final 1-0 or 2-0.
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@Jim:
Its what makes this even more sweeter…if only the Chelscum had actually tried to play more after Barca were down to 10, they would have wrapped it up. But instead they switched to a 10-0-0 formation and God has a way of serving up justice
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@Craig Mc: I saw every minute of the match, and as much as I hate their team, Chelsea deserved to win today. At least three penalties not given. They created the better chances. Better chances? Barca did not have a shot on target!!!! Yes, 70% posession, but what’s the use if you don’t make the other goalie make a save?
Over the two legs..I don’t know. Pretty even…not a clear winner.
Oh by the way, hope Drogba gets banned for 10 matches.
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You all NOTICE then that it was the SAME two players as in last years CL final who behaved DISGRACEFULLY! Drogba and Bolshy Bollocky Ballack. Drogba BITCH slapped Vidic in CL final, and he looked like he was trying to do the same to the referee tonight. Roman Abram is going to have his BIG pockets picked DEEPLY by Eufa
. But Drogba and Ballack should get LENGTHY bans from CL next season. Some of you may feel differently though. I personally loved it seeing Drogba and Ballack totally losing it at end of the game 
.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg-m52F96As
Am I pro or what?!
Relieve the glory…
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@antsBoy: Yeah Antsboy I saw the whole match too Bro, but I don’t think they were 3 clear cut penalties. I think Anelka and Drogba maybe suffered as our Ronaldo does sometimes from the reputations they have as DIVERS and cheats
.
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@RedDevilEddy: You are indeed a Pro
. That glory reminder is more than BRILLIANT Eddi mi man!
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@Grognard: Chelsea were robbed but they are cheating bastards so I suppose they deserve it. A part of me does feel sorry for them though, Barca had 1 shot on target in the whole game. Abidal didn’t deserve to be sent off but there were clear penalties for Chelsea. Your boy Ballack disgraced himself btw, along with Drogba
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@Craig Mc: Thank you, thank you!
I do my best… 
Hopefully Ronaldo will come up with more of those in the near future.
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@Liam: Barca had one shot ON TARGET mate, it wasn’t that they didn’t attempt to get other shots on goal! I give Barca credit Bro, because even when down to 10 men, they kept going forward all the time to try and get the goal they needed. I am happy we didn’t get Chelsea in the final, and from the media and internet most NEUTRAL fans are glad, because they didn’t want another ALL ENGLISH final
.
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“When the Drogdog follows the bald man, its because he doesnt think clearly.”
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@Liam: There were no clear penalties in the game. All the penalty claims were soft, with drogba’s being a clear dive. That being said, chelsea were unlucky. They played better than we did against barca last year.
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@Craig Mc: What game were you watching? Chelsea were far and away the better side. Barca had all the possesion but they didnt do shit with it, they really only had once chance and they buried it to there credit. If chelsea wouldnt have been so wasteful they could have easily put 4 or 5 past them.
I fancy our chances against barca because there back line is horrible. I havent seen a back line that bad in my life.
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Messi didnt do shit all game, apart from the winning assist. If Ronadlo scores in the final and we win, the Ballon Dor is Ronaldos again.
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Don’t get me wrong, I was cheering Barca the whole way (and celebrated their goal almost as much as our first yesterday), but Chelsea were robbed blind by a corrupt UEFA, and if that disgrace had happened to us there would be riots. 3 clear cut BLATENT penalties that even Arsene would have seen. Chelsea reverted to type and acted like giant chimps at the end. Michael Ballsack especially. But for fuck sake. How the fuck was that referee picked for a Champions League semi final 2nd leg?
Over the 2 matches there were 2 of the most ridiculous red cards you are ever likely to see, and atleast three STONE WALL penalties. An absolute joke.
What happens if UEFA have decided that they don’t want an English winner, let alone an all English final? Then we will get the same treatment in the final…..
The good news on our part is that an already pretty rubbish Barcelona defence left devastated. Dani Alves, Abidal, Marquez all out.
Henry, Eto’o, Messi and Xavi against Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra and Carrick is a clash of the titans.
Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Anderson against Sylvinho, Puyol, Pique and Keita is a gigantic mismatch.
BELIEVE.
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@tevez: Are you mad? Malouda was wrestled to the ground in the box, and Ballsack had a shot on target blocked by an blatant arm in the air 5ft from the referee looking right at it. Drogbas wasn’t a clear cut one, and youve seen them given, but bloody hell…
Pique might as well have caught the ball, grabbed a couple of chainsaws and juggled them while riding a unicycle.
Messi failed to show up in a big game again. World player of the year my arse. How rubbish is La Liga?
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@Traverse: Ballsack?
, but yeah, good name for the disgraced hothead Ballack though Trav 
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@Traverse: La Liga is pretty rubbish, the fact Madrid could go 18 games unbeaten shows how poor the league is.
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@johnsom33: Yeah but IF is a very big word Johnsom, and Chelscum got just desserts for the playacting of the likes of Drogba and Anelka and others of their players throughout season. Their reputations went before them, just like Ronnie’s had all season when he didn’t get what should have been cert penalties, and the whole nation which is ABU all backed the referees then
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@Traverse: Malouda took a dive, but at least there was some contact with him. I just think he went down too easily.
Drogba blatantly tried to con the ref. The defender had a very slight pull of his shirt, but there was no tangle of legs and drogba fell forward. Cheat.
Anelka played the ball off pique’s hand as he ran across. He was very close and his hands were in a natural position. Definitely not a penalty.
Ballack had a better claim because eto’o jumped in with his back turned, but i would say his arms were not out where they were on purpose. I wouldn’t give chelsea a penalty for that anyway, because i’ve seen john terry diving out at opponents when they are about to shoot with his arms all over the place plenty of times before.
Barca are obviously good enough to have chelsea and man united use negative tactics, so la liga can’t be that bad can it?
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@tevez: Piques one is the book definition of hand ball. Arm in a natural position? no. Moves towards the ball? Yes. Stops a clear goalscoring oppertunity? Yes. The ball was flicked around the player, towards goal. He’d have been one on one with the keeper.
Malouda was pulled down, Alves was rubbish all night. Drogba went down easy, but if you read what I said, I said you’ve seen them given (Barcelona certainly wanted the exact same thing given last week at camp nou).
If Barcelona can’t score against us in 2 games, that’s their problem. We we’re unlucky not to come out of Camp Nou atleast a goal up. Ronaldo narrowly missed a penalty in the first 20 mins I think it was. Teams come to Old Traford every week and try to stop us scoring. It rarely works. Defending is just as valid as attacking.
If you ask me, it’s that kind of ridiculous view that means only 1 defender has ever won World Player of the Year, and he had to captain a World Cup win to get it. Barca have scored a whole tonne of goals this year, but how many has Vidic prevented? Bet he’s not even on the shortlist.
La Liga is rubbish.
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@Craig Mc: Craig, I love you Bro but you are really so full of shite some times. Sure Ballack is my favorite player but please ask me this question, You come on to this site and you bitch and complain and shout and yell and curse (rightfully so sometimes) people who put down your precious Lil Man Nani. You give them a major tongue bashing on paper and you are often merciless in the way you go about it but you then accuse Drogba and Ballack who were hard done and completely fucking stabbed in the back by the worst refereeing I have seen in 35 years of watching this game? How can you look yourself in a mirror? Give me a fucking break bro!
Ballack had every right to take that referee by the scruff of the neck and bitch slap him until his pinky white bald head had turned three shades of purple. How any referee can blindly ignore two clear and incredibly obvious intentional handballs is beyond me? Lets not forget the two penalty’s he never granted for fouls in the box. And to be fair to Barcelona, the Abidal red card is as bad a call as the Fletcher one was yesterday. The referee was a fucking disgrace and he should get a lifetime ban from European refereeing for his trouble. He should be sent back to Norway and fuck up Eddy’s games with his blind bat routine. (Just joking Edy. I wouldn’t wish that prick on my worst enemy)
Fine I get it, you hate Ballack and Drogba. I hate Drogba too but a human being can only take so much. POT KETTLE BLACK my friend. Before you knock those players for going ballistic when they perfectly had reason and and an excuse to, then perhaps you should watch how badly you berate certain people on this blog for giving their opinions, even if you and I think they are wrong. After a game like that and after such an atrociously poor job of reffing, I forgive any player, even cunts like Drogba and Terry for feeling hard done and totally ripped off by a muppet who was clearly in the back pocket of UEFA and FIFA with a special agenda in hand.
Do any of you out there think that those organizations (UEFA and FIFA) wanted another all English final with the same two combatants as last year? Trust me when I say, the referee got orders earlier today from a guy in a long coat and hat to do whatever it takes to guarantee that Barca go through. Well the prick certainly gave it his best try. Many will say I am full of shit because he also gave Barca a red card they didn’t deserve but please, how can one ignore all those infractions in the box and not start thinking that something is definitely wrong here?
So sorry there Bro if I pissed you off a bit, but I do not take well to Ballack bashing. Do me a favor, I show your Nani a lot of love and respect. All I ask is that you lay off of my favorite player. I don’t ask you to love or to even like him, just stop nagging on him and putting him down. It seriously bugs me because it feels like a bit of a betrayal. Ballack reacted just like I would have in that situation when the referee had the very same view of the incident that he had. How he could turn his back on him and not call that a penalty was criminal and a total disgrace? He should get the sack immediately and a hit squad should be hired by Roman to snuff the cunt out because what he did tonight was beyond the rage and poor sportsmanship shown by Chelsea players. What he did was unethical, dishonest and was littered with thoughts of conspiracy. I never thought
I would hear myself say this but tonight my heart goes out to Chelsea FC and it’s fans for getting the royal shaft from UEFA and their appointed official who did his job tonight, with an agenda directed by UEFA THEMSELVES.
God knows I may have jumped off a bridge had this been done to United. But then again, we have May 27th and UEFA would love to ensure that Fergie, United and England don’t celebrate again. Platini you fucking criminal cunt. I hated you as a player and I absolutely despise you as the head of that evil Mafia organization you run. 
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@Traverse: I agree with you. Barca were tactically outplayed. If a team can only play one way and Chelsea uses this to their advantage and dominate the game (chances, shots, opportunities, penalty claims, … all but possession) from start to finish how do they not “deserve” to be through. Barca have scored 100 (ONE HUNDRED!!!) goals this season in La Liga, Real Madrid went on an 18 game UNBEATEN streak, and Arsenal dismantled Villareal while Liverpool destroyed Madrid… how does La Liga fare then? It is a rubbish league! FULL STOP!
1. Barca’s defense is a joke if it is even there. They use the defense to set up their amazing forwards. Without Alves and Abidal, they will have to go through Yaya, Xavi, and Iniesta. If we can stop Yaya from controlling the midfield, we should win the game handily.
2. Messi, for all his greatness, has been disappointing in the last 2 games against chelsea. Using Park with Evra should be enough to make Messi as poor as today.
3. Iniesta and Xavi will be more difficult to stop because will have Ronaldo and O’Shea on the right and Anderson, Giggs/Scholes, Carrick in the Center. I think Anderson will be put on Yaya, while Carrick and Scholes will take on Inesta and Xavi – at least they are not physical players – this piece of the puzzle is crucial to win the game. We must shut down Yaya and keep Iniesta and Xavi busy.
4. I think Van Persie and Henry were a tougher pair to play against than Eto and Henry. While they are good they can be tamed by Vidic, Ferdinand.
5. Lastly… the big question will be “How does Barcalona stop Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez/Berba”? Only thing they can do is keep possession and stay on the attack… does anyone know what a valid tactic would be against us if you were Barca? I don’t see what they can do but attack, attack, attack and hope we don’t beat them too often on the counter.
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@Liam: Bullshit. I would have done the same thing and if had happened to our man Rooney he would have reacted far worse. Bunch of Ballack hating crap that i personally am getting Craig’ed out about. Like the bloke had no reason to lose it. Give me a fucking break and open your eyes a bit. You want sportsmanship and fair play? How about asking the fucking ref to show some first?
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@Craig Mc: Barca were a joke and a paper champion not worthy of their billing. They are soft tossers and we will beat them no doubt about it provided we get a referee without a UEFA agenda. Chelsea cleaned the park with their candy asses and for them to fluke one off at the end when they never had a shot on goal all game just speaks of how unjust the European game has become.
Messi? FUCK!
Ronaldo is ten times the player Messi is because he doesn’t hide in a little hole when the game gets physical. For most of the game I thought Messi was on the bench because I never saw him on the pitch. Don’t get me wrong, he’s an artist and a great little player but he would be wiped up like yesterdays trash if he had to play in the Prem every week. He is small and he is soft and gets roughed out of a game very easily. Oh sure Ronaldo may dive a lot but that boy is tough and he gets up every time and thumbs his nose at the opposition and brings it on. He has hunger and the eye of the tiger.
Ronaldo yesterday proved that for me he is still the World Player of the Year and if he does well in the final and Messi doesn’t, he will win it again even though he was greatly under performing in the first half of the season. Bottom line is, Ronaldo is clutch and Ronaldo is build for the power game and brings it when it counts. Messi has yet to show me this and his entire team are nothing but a bunch of puffters.
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@Grognard: While I find your arguments for conspiracies a bit flacid (<-
), I have to admit, if this happened to us and Rooney sucker-punched the ref, I would have defended the kid forever. Put yourself in chelsea’s russian sneakers… they we’re Royally screwed over by some of the worst refereeing as Grognard pointed out. But the red card to Abidal and the yellow to Alves are enough to convince me that there is no conspiracy in this game.
However, Chelsea did make ONE mistake: Took off Drogba who had been killing Barca all night long and settling for the 1-0 lead (==gamble). This may cause Drogba to leave Chelsea, I am sure of it!
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