Barcelona vs Manchester United

I don't get all this confidence. I can understand hunches, but it is way too close to call.
Plus look at the teams we beat on the way to the final:
Inter came second in their group. Porto came first in the same group as Arsenal, who came second, and just scraped past Roma and Villareal.
Also our form in the group stage left a lot to be desired.
Barcelona on the other hand, beat some big teams on the way, and I believe they have the advantage.
Our best bet is to keep it tight at the back and hope we can sneak a goal on the break.
Needless to say I'm a serial pessimist when it comes to United, and I've been shitting squeeky bricks for days now.
 
I don't get all this confidence. I can understand hunches, but it is way too close to call.
Plus look at the teams we beat on the way to the final:
Inter came second in their group. Porto came first in the same group as Arsenal, who came second, and just scraped past Roma and Villareal.
Also our form in the group stage left a lot to be desired.
Barcelona on the other hand, beat some big teams on the way, and I believe they have the advantage.
Our best bet is to keep it tight at the back and hope we can sneak a goal on the break.
Needless to say I'm a serial pessimist when it comes to United, and I've been shitting squeeky bricks for days now.

They haven't been that much better than us. Lyon = Porto (or even worse), Bayern<Inter, Arsenal<Chelsea. Their group was a bit easier as well.
 
Less than 24 hours....shitting bricks.

Quite a few on this forum and other United fans I've spoken to are predicting 2 or 3 nil wins for us, which I can't understand. For me it's too close to call, let's hope any luck going goes our way.

They were saying it on the guardian podcast as well, that they can see it being something like 3-0 to us. Can't understand it either
 
They were saying it on the guardian podcast as well, that they can see it being something like 3-0 to us. Can't understand it either

Some think that we should exploit their defensive weeknesses.

The way in which we do our defending suits Barcelona though. We give the opposition time on the ball.. we do let the attacker run at us. They like that. Thats what makes me nervous.
 
-------------------VDS-------------------

O'shea-------Rio-----------Vida-------Evra

----------Carrick-------Anderson-----------
--Park------------------------------Giggs--
-----------------------Rooney-------------
--------Ronaldo----------------------------
 
sbp.jpg
 
------------------VdS--------------------

Brown----Ferdinand-----Vidic-----Evra

-----Rooney-------------Rooney--

Ronaldo-----Carrick------Giggs----Anderson

Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney

----------------Berbatov-----------------

Thats my team, I think he will play Berbatov and let Roonay and Ronaldo take on their full backs. Anderson could man mark Messi aswell, he will match him for pace and annoy the shit out of him
 
According to catalan tv, the Barcelona lineup will be as follows:

Valdes, Puyol, Pique, Toure, Keita, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Etoo, Henry
 
I've just watched the highlights of both legs against Barca last year and the final from the season review. The nerves were seriously building during the semis and I felt sick again watching the penalties. Not because of last year, but the fear of them again. Heros and villains. Winners and losers. It's just a lottery. Can't wait for the game, but on the other hand im dreading it if we lose.
 
I was in the sauna and came up with this line-up:

--------------VDS----------

O*Shea----Rio------Vida-------Evra

Ronaldo----Carrick-----Anderson-----Park

---------Rooney--------Tevez----------

..Having both Rooney and Tevez on will give Xavi and the other DM a lot to think about when we get the ball after their attack/set-piece. Also it will force one of them to maybe drop out from joining to their counters.. Park will provide the cover to Anderson and Ronaldo, while Carrick dominates the midfield and maybe give that wonder-pass to someone upfront.
 
I've just realised, this is a game we won't lose.

Nothing to worry about lads. It's in the bag.
 
------------------VdS--------------------

Brown----Ferdinand-----Vidic-----Evra

-----Rooney-------------Rooney--


Ronaldo-----Carrick------Giggs----Anderson

Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney

----------------Berbatov-----------------

:lol:
 
I don't know about any of you, but the music played during the Premier League Trophy Ceremony was completely lame.


So, please pardon the short musical interlude... the muppetiering will commence shortly.


The Rolling Stones-Sympathy For The
Devil


 
-------Vds
oshea rio vidic evra
-anderson-carrick
Park Giggs Rooney
----Ronaldo

I wouldnt be surprised if Tevez started instead of Giggsy though.
 
Today is a huge game for Carrick to give a repeat of his most recent match in Italy. His intelligent play will be crucial and he could be the man.
 
Can't believe I have to work during this tomorrow, oh well, it is being reaired so I will get to watch it at night like most Manchester United fans. I have a note on both of the computers I use at home, that say dont go to the Caf after work, Champions League final @ 8:30, I would literally bite my hand off if I did.
 
Some think that we should exploit their defensive weeknesses.

The way in which we do our defending suits Barcelona though. We give the opposition time on the ball.. we do let the attacker run at us. They like that. Thats what makes me nervous.

Maybe, but our mid-field can smother them, not give them time on the ball they love. I don't think Fergie will allow them to retain possession as much as they are accustomed. If there was ever a game made for Berbatov and Tevez - this is it.

Barca is fecked because of the left side. Ronaldo should have a field day against whatever replacement they throw in. Puyols also takes over for Alves and he won't be coming forward - which will effect Messi tremendously. If we push Messi out to the wing, he will be far less effective.

Pique? Think we know his vulnerabilities? I do.

Our counter attack will annihilate them. Completely and totally annihilate them. Look what Chelsea did. They had so many opportunities in that last game it was crazy. Difference is, I expect Rooney and company to put them away.

Also, Barca have Henry - big game no show.

I think we will win 4-1.

Only way Barca have a chance is if they score first - but I just can't see that happening against our defense.
 
Reading the Times they reckon that Henry and/or Messi will savage OShea on the right. So, taking that into account, howzabout this for a line-up:

------------------VdS--------------------

Brown----Ferdinand-----Vidic-----Evra

-----------------OShea------------------

Park-----Carrick------Giggs----Rooney

----------------Ronaldo-----------------


Park to give Brown support and Rooney to give Evra support. Even if Messi switches sides Brown is a better defender and with the aid of Park, he is capable of taking on Messi.

OShea is an experienced midfielder and is capable of giving us the steal that Fletcher would have.

If you're going to go with that, then why not Play Anderson instead of OShea in midfield? He's better at hurrying Xavi and Iniesta and can be of use in starting attacks from deep. I still reckon Oshea will start as RB and Park will help him out against Henry.
 
I don't get all this confidence. I can understand hunches, but it is way too close to call.
Plus look at the teams we beat on the way to the final:
Inter came second in their group. Porto came first in the same group as Arsenal, who came second, and just scraped past Roma and Villareal.
Also our form in the group stage left a lot to be desired.
Barcelona on the other hand, beat some big teams on the way, and I believe they have the advantage.
Our best bet is to keep it tight at the back and hope we can sneak a goal on the break.
Needless to say I'm a serial pessimist when it comes to United, and I've been shitting squeeky bricks for days now.

Nonsense. Their defence is there for the taking. Without Alves and Abidal they're even more handicapped defensively which is what we should use to our advantage as much as possible. Obviously we can't ignore their forwards, but we'd be stupid if we didn't properly test their shit defence.
 
I'm quite relaxed too actually. I feel there was more at stake last year as 1.We hadn't won it for a long time and 2.Losing to Chelsea was too painful to even contemplate. This time, a win would be fantastic and a loss would be bad, but bearable.

Also, I'm confident that we will win. :devil:
 
"I haven’t thought about what I will say yet. I haven’t given it a moment’s thought. These things usually come to me during the night, at about three in the morning. That’s the time I get some real inspiration in the deep chambers of my tiny little brain!"

Great Fergie quote when asked about his team talk. :lol: