Source: Daily_Mail
Barcelona ambush revealed - how they beat United in 2009 Champions League final
ShareSir Alex Ferguson has already revealed his aggressive side once this week and history would suggest he needs to do so again at Wembley. [LNB] He has to draw on his attacking instincts, return to an approach that has proved so effective in the past and target what he considers to be Barcelona's weaknesses.[LNB] Mental scars: Michael Carrick was tormented by Barcelona in 2009 final[LNB] He employed more cautious tactics when he met Pep Guardiola's side in Rome in 2009 and it backfired badly. The plan, Sportsmail can reveal, was a simple one. To have the security of a five-man midfield that included Wayne Rooney on the flank while targeting Gerard Pique and what they considered a flaw in Victor Valdes. [LNB] Barcelona's goalkeeper, they had concluded after studying extensive video footage, was not the best at holding shots from distance and part of Cristiano Ronaldo's remit was to put the theory to the test. A former United player, Pique was someone they also thought they could exploit.[LNB] In the end, it was Barcelona's gameplan that worked beautifully.[LNB] While Pique was imperious and Valdes solid, Guardiola's decision to focus on making it difficult for Michael Carrick to use his right foot proved devastatingly effective. The Englishman was neutralised, his inability to pass with his usual fluency and accuracy taking him out of the game.[LNB] Carrick was a tormented figure that night, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets leaving him with mental scars from which he has seemingly only just recovered. But Ferguson has said he understands what went wrong and it will be interesting to see how he tries to avoid the same thing happening to Carrick again.[LNB] 'We were disappointed we lost the game two years ago,' said Ferguson. 'We made one or two mistakes but our preparation has been better this time.'[LNB] Harsh lesson: Ferguson insists he knows what went wrong in Rome[LNB] For all Darren Fletcher's recent health problems, one does have to wonder if United's manager will spring a surprise and use the one player perfectly equipped for combating that marvellous Barcelona midfield.[LNB] It would be tough on Carrick, particularly when he was as impressive as he was against Chelsea this month. But Barcelona are sure to target him in much the same way and Ferguson must be mindful of that.[LNB] The key to making this final the gran clasico Ferguson envisages is finding a way of easing the burden on whoever lines up in United's midfield by putting Barcelona's defence under more pressure by unleashing Rooney and Javier Hernandez in much the same manner they did against Chelsea in the quarter-final.[LNB] 'As we always do, we recognise the quality of our opponents,' said Ferguson in response to the question of whether he would meet fire with fire.[LNB] 'It's unwise not to prepare for strengths and weaknesses. Every team we play gets that respect. But we have to focus on ourselves. We have the players to do it and the attacking players we need on show tomorrow will be there.'[LNB] History says Ferguson's sides are at their best in Europe when they are more cavalier.[LNB] In 1999 they were a wonderfully adventurous team. When Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole struggled to break through Bayern Munich's defence in the Nou Camp final he took off Cole and Jesper Blomqvist and sent on two more strikers in Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They became the two most celebrated substitutions in Ferguson's time as manager.[LNB] In 2008 he was just as ambitious. When many expected the manager to start with Rooney and Ronaldo but leave Carlos Tevez on the bench, Ferguson selected all three. [LNB] All gold: Fergie was rewarded for an ambitious approach in 2008[LNB] Tonight, as Ferguson tries to match Bob Paisley as only the second manager to win three European Cups, he needs to be just as bold, instructing Hernandez to combine with Rooney and focus, in particular, on Javier Mascherano, a diminutive midfielder who is expected to remain at centre half with Guardiola opting to push Carles Puyol to left back to cover for the absent Eric Abidal. [LNB] Puyol is a super player but Antonio Valencia might just fancy his chances of creating problems for the Catalan side down that flank too. But, as Ferguson said, they still have to be as defensively solid as they have been on their travels in Europe.[LNB] They still have to find a way of limiting opportunities for possibly the finest attack the world has seen. As well as providing a service to Rooney and Hernandez, Valencia and Park Ji-sung will be tasked with chasing down Lionel Messi and supporting the midfielders in their defensive duties. It will certainly challenge Ryan Giggs as a central midfielder, however impressive he has been this season.[LNB] Flanked by the two centre halves Sir Bobby Charlton considers the finest in United's history, there was a quiet confidence about Ferguson last night - a sense that the preparation had gone well and that he did indeed have a plan which he worked on last week when he organised the reserves to play like Barcelona and had Michael Owen performing the David Villa role. [LNB] Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic sat either side of their manager like two nightclub bouncers and had the look of two men who understood exactly what was required.[LNB] History is United's travelling companion here at Wembley, and there was a wonderful moment when one of the heroes of 1968 interrupted Ferguson with the ring-tone on his phone.[LNB] Paddy Crerand's mobile plays Clive Tyldesley's commentary of Solskjaer's winner at the Nou Camp, which would suggest the Scotsman has some grasp of technology even if he cursed that he could not turn the device off. It served as a reminder of how these occasions often play out. How the hero can be an unlikely one. Solskjaer in 1999, John Aston in 1968.[LNB] Ferguson seems to think this evening will not necessarily be about the individual, about Messi and Rooney vying for the right to claim Wembley, a stadium Ferguson described as 'a symbol of English football', as their own. He thinks it is about the team.[LNB] 'The great quality of this team is their unity,' he said. 'Our record in Europe has been very good this year. We've found a good way of playing.[LNB] 'They are different from other teams we have had in some ways, but not a great deal of change from 2009. What is important is that we are far more experienced now. The players are more mature. The experience and progress this year gives us a good chance.'[LNB] As does Ferguson's aggressive nature.[LNB] Barcelona v Manchester United is the perfect contest... now can they deliver?Barcelona v Manchester United - your complete guide to the Wembley line-upsWe will win classic Champions League final, insists United boss Ferguson[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Gerard Pique, Xavi, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Lionel Messi, Darren Fletcher, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andy Cole, Nemanja Vidic, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Tevez, Dwight Yorke, Wayne Rooney, Park Ji-sung, Rio Ferdinand Places: Barcelona, Rome, Europe
