04/25/24
May 26, 2009
Champions League Final predictions and chat: Tomorrow is the big day, the toughness and refusal to surrender of ManUtd against the beauty and skill of Barca, Ronaldo vs. Messi, Sir Alex vs. rookie headman Guardiola. Who do you want to win? Who do you think will win? The NY Times has a three part roundtable (1, 2, 3) of European soccer journos to help you decide.
posted by billsaysthis to navel gazing at 12:43 PM - 6 comments
I agree with bill -- I want Barca to win, but see them having trouble doing so without three of their top four defenders. In addition to the issues that creates for defending, Barca really relies on Alves getting forward to put pressure on opposing defenses, so his loss is two-prong (although he has no one but himself to blame for missing the final, as I could tell in the first 5 minutes of the Chelsea game that he would be getting a card).
posted by holden at 06:29 PM on May 26, 2009
Looking forward to this game. I can't root for Man U, so I guess I'm going with Barcelona in this one. I hope the soccer's better than the games these teams played to get here.
posted by rcade at 10:14 AM on May 27, 2009
Wish I could watch it live, but I'm having enough trouble setting up the internet connection at my workplace. Hoping Barca wins, I can't make myself cheer for United.
posted by boredom_08 at 03:50 PM on May 27, 2009
At the half, Barca is schooling ManU, which is remarkable and excellent! But Tevez coming on could make a differece
posted by rumple at 04:02 PM on May 27, 2009
Given the supposed biggest advantage of ManU over Barca was the back 4, well, it was no advantage at all. Vidic and Ferdinand, the best center back pairing in the world, were responsible for allowing the two goals.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:14 PM on May 27, 2009
I want Barcelona to win, they're my second team after the Reds and anyway ManU have enough trophies for the season. But with three starting defenders out and Henry and Iniesta troubled by injury I have my doubts.
One player I do not expect to see wearing red is Dimitar Berbatov. One of the writers in the Times' forum said he expects Rooney and Ronaldo to be the starting attackers but after Berba said he doesn't think he can score if it comes down to penalties I don't expect him to even make the bench. Maybe Macheda instead, coming on in the 75th minute to score another amazing game winner?
If the Spanish side does win I expect Iniesta and Messi to be the keys, even if Eto'o gets the important goal.