Source: FOOTYMAD
Champions League Final Utd v Barca - Preview
On paper, this game should be the best seen this season, that's if both Manchester United and Barcelona manage to play at their best and the two sides don't simply stifle each other out. Both sides are looking for their fourth win of the competition and it’s the second time in three years that the two giants have come head to head in the final, sadly Barcelona were the better side on the day and picked up the trophy after a 2-0 win. United’s task today is certainly no easier than it was two years ago, Pep Guardiola's team were crowned champions of Spain for the third season in a row, only suffering defeat twice along the way. And of course, Messi has been in top form. United last got their hands on the trophy after beating Chelsea in the 2007/08 season, they also were champions of the Premier League for a record 19th time in a season which many say they have not played well in. Even so, just four defeats all season and the title won by a massive nine points speaks for its self, especially as the next lowest number of losses was eight (Arsenal and Tottenham) Barca may have the best attacking players in the world in Messi, Villa and Iniesta, all of whom can turn a game with a flash of brilliance that opposition would not have seen coming But United have a mighty strong defence which on its day can handle what the Barca front line can throw at it. Captain Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and the retiring Edwin van der Sar have got to be rated as superb. And they will need to be at their best, of that there is no doubt at all what with Xavi looking for ways to pull the United midfield apart along with Busquets, who will both have their way unless stopped. It’s not all about Messi. Although United are only too well aware what he can do, he got the second goal last time the two clubs met in a final and he has found the net 11 times in 12 appearances this time around. But United have Wayne Rooney and if he is in the mood to play as he can, he could well turn the game and another who would be only too pleased to add to his four Champions league goals so far is Javier Hernandez. What with Ryan Giggs and Alves fighting it out to be top dog out wide, tonights game has everything to be the best in living memory. So let’s hope for the right result. Which will be 2-1 to United by the way.
