Community Shield: Manchester United v Chelsea match preview

07 August 2009 11:40
Manchester United v Chelsea, Community Shield Venue: Wembley Stadium Kick-off: Sunday August 9, 2009, 3pm. TV: Sky Sports 2/HD2. On Radio: BBC Radio Five Live Touchline duel: Sir Alex Ferguson v Carlo Ancelotti Britain's longest-serving manager takes on English football's newest recruit. Yet while Carlo Ancelotti may be very much the fresh face in the Premier League, his experience is also considerable. Over the past 11 years, Ancelotti and Ferguson have each won the European Cup twice. The greatest AC Milan performance under Ancelotti was also arguably against Ferguson when his team dismantled United 3-0 at the San Siro in the Champions League semi-final of 2007. Key clash: Wayne Rooney v John Terry After the seemingly interminable saga regarding John Terry and Manchester City, all eyes will be on the man they call 'Mr Chelsea'. It will also be interesting to see whether there is any backlash from the Chelsea supporters over the whole episode. Terry will certainly need to be alert to contain Wayne Rooney, who will have added responsibility on his shoulders this season following the departures of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. Talking tactics: This will be the first real glimpse of two teams who are likely to employ a different tactical approach this season. For Chelsea, Ancelotti appears committed to a 'diamond' formation that will provide extensive options for a squad particularly well-equipped in central midfield. The question-marks, however, surround whether Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba can function efficiently together in attack and if the team will lack width and variety. For United, a slight change in approach is more forced after the departure of Ronaldo to Real Madrid, while in the short term they must adapt to life without the injured goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and central defender Nemanja Vidic. What they are saying Sir Alex Ferguson (on United's response to Champions League final defeat in May): "Adversity is always an important factor in developing and improving. I have always reacted well to adversity over the years and whenever we lose a match I tell my players that the next game is the important one - the match we have to focus on. That has always been the case here at the club. When you lose the last game of the season you have two or three months to reflect on the disappointment. We have not enjoyed that. But we will cope - and we will bounce back." Carlo Ancelotti: "The most important thing to win is the Premier League and the Champions League. To win these would be a success, but we also need to have an identity with the team and I think we are going the right way about doing this."

Source: Telegraph