TOTAL WAR: ROME

 

Manchester United vs. Barcelona

May 27 09Champions League final

 

It might not be the “perfect final” as the media dubbed it to be, as Chelsea players and fans will disagree.

But it will be safe to label it as the “dream final” the most anticipated one-night sporting events since UEFA introduces the prestigious Champions League.

In which the present two best footballers on Earth will face off against each other for the first time ever in a Champions League final.

The final of this season European, Champions League final is an epic showdown not only between the two between players but also between two of the world's biggest and most iconic football clubs. Both teams are arguably having vast array of top quality players in the squad ahead of the other teams participating in CL to showcase an admirable commitment to beautiful attacking football. We have already wished that the pair would meet in final in this site, after the CL’ last 16 round and the dream come true.

 

 

This pairing is the perfect match made in football heaven.

It will be an unofficial match of the England's Premiership League and Spain's La Liga, since both are the reigning champions of their domestic league.

Coincidently both teams just need a draw to secure the domestic title and are crowned champion on the same week along with Inter Milan.

Perhaps this year, Manchester United is destined to represent England's Premiership against the other two domestic champion of Italy Serie A (Inter Milan) and Spain's La Liga (Barcelona), having already defeated Inter at the last 16 round in emphatic fashion.

United are still unbeatable in this season Champions league games whereas Barcelona has lost twice on the second leg of the 3rd qualification against Wisla Krakow (1-0) and Group C matchday 6 against the reigning UEFA Cup champions, Shakhtar Donetsk (3-2).

 

 

The attractions of Rome, the Eternal City

The perfect city for the gladiators battle of the two titans club, if not of the so called

‘Stabbing city’. The once ancient glory city, Rome hosted glamorous entertainments at the world 7 wonder in the past.  Colosseum with the template for modern

sporting stadiums, featuring on the event logo

Rome's Stadio Olimpico  is the perfect choice for such an occasion, with its historic setting. It has hosted three previous European finals, two European championships and the 1990 World Cup final. It is also where Gazzella Nera, won three gold medals at the 1960 Olympic. Let’s hope another historical moment are made here and remain optimistic, the match will be entertaining unlike last year semi-final between the two.

 

The battle of the two different generations Boss for tactical supremacy

Sir Alex Ferguson (67) is old enough to be the father of Josep Guardiola (38).When Ferguson won his first title as a club manager, Guardiola was only six years.

This season both have already won at least two silverwares, with Barcelona hoping to achieve the ‘Treble’ and Manchester United for the ‘Quadruple’

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola maintains his side will go out to attack holders Manchester United and likely to deploy the same formation 4-3-3.

Only the back four there will be decision to be made, he may opt to shift midfielder Seydou Keita to left back ahead of Silvinho, with Yaya Toure continuing to fill in at centre back and captain Carles Puyol possibly shifting to the right.

 

(Asked how he would compare himself to Ferguson, Guardiola told reporters: "Well, he's got a few years on me as a coach. And he has a lot more titles.

"But I just admire his career so much. He has overhauled his team and turned them into champions. So it's a great honour for me to play a final against Alex Ferguson."

One difference between the two men, apart from the generation gap, is that Guardiola was a great player at the highest level while Ferguson, although he played for Rangers for a spell, has been far more successful as a coach than he ever was as a footballer.

Guardiola was in the Barcelona team that won the European Cup in 1992 and lost to AC Milan in 1994, but is in no doubt where Wednesday's game ranks.

"This is the most important match of my life as a player and a coach," he said.

Ferguson's ruthless drive for success is well documented and while Guardiola is also a driven man he regards himself as extremely fortunate to be part of Barcelona's achievements.

"We have our way of playing but there are other ways of playing that are equally valid. So we don't feel superior. We are just going to focus on our tactics," he said.)

 

Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson have variety of option this season, he has opted different formation for

(4-4-2) Inter Milan:

Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (c), Rooney, Berbatov.

(4-3-2-1) Arsenal 2nd leg:

Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney.

(4-2-3-1) Porto  2nd leg:

van der Sar; ï¿½Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Fletcher, Carrick; Cristiano Ronaldo, Scholes, Rooney; Berbatov.

(4-4-2) Chelsea:

van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Evans, Evra, C. Ronaldo,  Fletcher, Giggs, J. Park, Berbatov, W. Rooney (notably Giggs is effectively  positioned on the midfield against Chelsea)

 

Ferguson, who's used a 4-4-2 formation for most of his Old Trafford life, insisted he had to tinker with his formation and tactics to keep up with opposition. He explained: "The trouble with 4-5-1 is that it doesn't give you enough points of attack and if Rooney and Ronaldo come deep to defend or cover, your lone striker can get isolated."We used to play 4-4-2, with one player just behind the striker, because it gives you more options, more threats, but 4-3-3 makes the best use of the players we have.
"It keeps Ronaldo and Rooney forward, where they do most damage, and gives us more points on the pitch from which to attack."The Scotsman also claims Manchester United can never play defensive football, regardless of the opposition. "Manchester United just can't play defensively. The fans would not stand for it. It's just not United," he concluded.

 

Ferguson is likely to maintain the same 4-3-2-1 formation Ronaldo at the spearhead of attack, with Rooney and Park gadding about on the wings had worked majestically against Arsenal. Since both Arsenal and Barcelona are similar in terms of attacking football, it might be a good option. Giggs might be the best replacement for Fletcher position, where his presence will boost confidence of the squad. Although he did not feature regularly, he has been excellent this season, notably his winning performance against the like of Chelsea, Inter Milan and West Ham.

 

(The Scot will become only the second manager after Bob Paisley of Liverpool to win three European Cups if Manchester United retains the trophy.

Asked what the achievement would mean to him, Ferguson gave a rare insight into some of his emotions.

"I just wish my father was alive. He would've loved to have seen me achieve that," he told reporters at United's training ground Carrington last week.

Ferguson's father, also called Alex, died aged 66 in 1978 before his son began winning trophies first with Aberdeen and then with United.

Ferguson junior said he owed his father and his mother Lizzie a debt.

"It is something you are born with. It's in your genes," he said. "My father was very quiet. My mother was the one with the real determination.

"My father was a hard-working man, who just read books. He was always reading. My mother ran the house," although, he added wryly: "it's difficult to see part of me in that.") (reuters)

 

(In 23 years at Old Trafford, Ferguson, now 67 but with his hunger for success apparently undiminished, has so far collected 25 trophies. Guardiola, in his first season in charge of Barcelona at age 38, has two, the Spanish league and cup, and now they go head-to-head on Wednesday for the biggest title in European club football when Manchester United meets Barcelona in the Champions League final.

"People have said that there is a big difference between the experience of Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola," said Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho. "Experience? What is that? For me, if you are good, you are good at 35 and you are good at 65.

Ferguson has guided United through the days of Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy to the current crop of stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney with long-standing stars Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville on the team for more than a decade.

At the club since November 1986, Ferguson has rebuilt United time and again by blending mainly homegrown players with established stars, making sure that the overall strength of the team stayed.

Tall and lean, Guardiola stands at the side of the field often looking pensive but calm. Then he can explode in a dramatic bout of arm waving, furious with his players, the opposition or the match officials.

Ferguson usually stays in his seat, chewing gum throughout the game as he watches developments on the field. He blows his top too, charging out of his seat to berate players but usually referees and their assistants. Away from the field, his withering blasts at his players have become known as the "hairdryer" treatment.

"Sir Alex is a man of soul and heart and he will have the adrenaline that we all need to be at the top level in these moments," said Mourinho, a rival of Ferguson's at both FC Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.

"He is a super manager and a victory or a defeat in this moment of his career doesn't make him better or worse -- he has had a great career. But, of course, if he wins on Wednesday, it will make him the greatest club manager.") (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

 

 

Ronaldo, Messi dueling for world's best player 

 

The Game may decide if Ronaldo or Messi is best 

Both Players have been rank one above another for the past 2 seasons

-          Messi one place ahead of Ronaldo for the 2006/2007 FIFA World Player of the Year

-          Ronaldo winning FIFA World Player of the Year 2007/2008 edition and Messi was the runner-up.

 

First of all, neither the Argentine nor the Portuguese has an impressive record against clubs from England and Spain, respectively.

It is only natural that people are arguing who is the best among them. But whatever they pointed the ability of each can boost of….it seem to be endless argument, the same stuff are spoken again and again …

Perhaps it will be better if the notion of the debate on which style of players is the most effective on matches.

But it still depend on the team plays, for example Ronaldo is suited at the spearhead of attack for Manchester United counter-attacking style, because of his lightning-speed, no doubt…

The same goes for Messi flair for the creative style of Barcelona gameplay.

 

Although ronaldo has not been consistent at both early season of Premier's league and Champion's league with only 2 goals and did not emulate staggering 42 goals in all competitions last season,  his winner away to Porto and two at Arsenal in this season's Champions League campaign have gone some way to answering criticism of his big-game temperament. 

 

Both have unpleasent moments in their life

Ronaldo with his late father's alcoholism. He also had to have a heart operation, Doctors diagnosed a 'racing heart' when Ronaldo was in his mid-teens and it was feared the Portuguese winger would have to give up playing when he was just 15 years old to save his footballing career and 
Messi from the expensive growth hormones he required to help him beat the prediction that he would grow no higher than 4ft 7in. As a Madeiran from a poor background, meanwhile, Ronaldo was an outsider in Lisbon through his formative years

 

Ronaldo: I do not fear Messi, I respect him

Messi: I'd pay to watch Ronaldo

 

Since both have different size and shape,

Ronaldo has the perfect athletic physique; tall, lean and muscular, with a seemingly inexhaustible arsenal of skills

-His power, movement and finishing ability are impressive, and his tricks, flicks and unique moves set him a class apart. His raw talents are essential; with his speed he can overrun defenders, his height with his killer header and strength are threats in set pieces as a deadball specialist.

Messi is a little player at 6'1" and 172 pounds whose abilities are more difficult to pin down because of low center of gravity. 

-A magician with a ball at his feet with his darting runs . His low center of gravity enables him to effortlessly ghost through defenders.

 

Messi's fans argue that, while Ronaldo may sometimes appear more graceful or spectacular, the Barcelona player offers more significant production. As evident on last year Champions League semi-final, although Barca did not progress and Ronaldo eventually crowned as the FIFA World Player of the Year 2007/2008 edition.

 

 

What the expert say

("Ronaldo is the complete footballer," says Avram Grant, the former Chelsea manager whose team lost to United on penalty kicks in last year's Champions League final in Moscow. "He's quick, he's strong, he can hit a free kick, he strikes the ball equally well with either foot, he's creative, and he's an outstanding header of the ball. In terms of ability, he doesn't have a weakness in his game."

"Messi may be as quick over five yards as Ronaldo but not over longer distances, and his right foot is ordinary," says Grant, "but he has an awareness and an ability in tight spaces which nobody else has. And he has real magic in his left foot."

Whatever the result in Rome next Wednesday, one thing is certain: Since Ronaldo is 24 and Messi just 21, this is only the beginning of a rivalry that will captivate the sports world for the next decade. "Each is the future in his own way," says Grant.) -Avram Grant

"Ronaldo foreshadows players who are constantly becoming bigger, more athletic, more skillful. Messi, as players get bigger, space gets smaller. Anyone can play in ample space. Playing when there is no room requires magic and Messi is magic." Messidona….

 

"Which player could I replace? Thierry Henry? No, he is too good and I think Messi will be the World Player of the Year. If I could vote it would be for Messi. Even if you just count the goals and the beautiful passes and look at it statistically, Messi would win over Ronaldo. -Arshavin

 

WHO will be the Roman ruler on May 27?

The SUN asked four soccer experts to compare United’s Cristiano Ronaldo with Barca hero Lionel Messi.

Here’s our High Court verdict . . .

Q. WHO would you prefer to have in your team and why?

Graham Taylor: RONALDO is the better player. I don’t use this word often but he is a great player. We have seen a young Portuguese boy come here and develop, which is great. He has more end product than Messi.

Paul Parker: I’M a big fan of Messi. He beats people without pace and drops his shoulder and makes it all look so easy. They are both great players but Messi is slightly easier on the eye.

Jason Roberts: RONALDO because he’s master of many things. He can create, he can score, he’s excellent at those stunning long-range free-kicks. For a winger to get as many goals as he does is phenomenal.

Frank McLintock: WOW, that’s a toughie. It’s like asking if you would want Pele or Maradona. Both are unbelievable players and I’d sell my house to have one of them playing for Arsenal.

 

Q. WHAT are Ronaldo’s real strengths?

GT: THE way he keeps the ball and his end product. He scored 42 goals last season and that was unbelievable. He is the man for the big stage and I can’t wait to watch him in the Rome final.

PP: QUITE simply his pace is the strength of his game. He needs it to beat players and it gives him stature. This is the one area where I consider he has the edge over the slightly built Messi.

JR: FOR me Ronaldo is the complete article. His goalscoring last year was exceptional and he’s beginning to catch the bug again now. He can turn a game with those unstoppable free-kicks.

FM: HE is good in the air, he can beat defenders with pace and tricks and he can score goals. Bags of goals. And not only from open play but from set-pieces with his fantastic free-kicks.

Q. AND what are the Portuguese star’s weaknesses?

GT: I JUST can’t see one. It is easy to speak about diving, but if he doesn’t jump out of the way quickly enough he will break a leg. He really does not have a weakness — but you can always improve.

PP: HIS petulance. Sometimes he is his own worst enemy and should smile more often. Every time he gets tackled he thinks it is a foul — but he has got the world in front of him.

JR: I DON’T think he has got any weakness whatsoever in his game. Probably the only thing the Portuguese superstar can’t do is make a cup of tea whilst playing football. He really is that good.

FM: I HAVE to say the only weakness I can see is he does have a tendency to be a pain in the backside sometimes. But the rest of his entertaining play more than makes up for that.

 

Q. WHAT do you think Messi’s real strengths are?

GT: HE can get through the tightest of gaps. When you watch him, surrounded by three defenders, you think he won’t get through them. But somehow he manages it. His close control is sensational.

PP: HE is a natural street footballer in what he does and didn’t get told how to play by coaches or from some soccer school manual. Everybody enjoys watching him play, he’s so sleight of foot.

JR: MESSI is a fantastic little player. His pace and performances this season — up to the Chelsea games — and eight goals in the Champions League prove that for sure. I enjoy watching him.

FM: HE might not be as good as Ronaldo in the air but, apart from that, he can do everything the Manchester United player does. And the Argentinian has a better temperament than Ronaldo.

Q. AND what are the Argentine schemer’s weaknesses?

GT: HE is so left-footed and it makes you think he lacks power in the right. If you can get him on the right side he won’t be as effective. Ronaldo is two-footed and that is what Messi needs to master.

PP: I REALLY can’t see any. The only thing you might say is that he doesn’t score against Premier League teams and that could come into the equation when he faces United.

JR: MAYBE he went missing at times during both legs of the semi-final. That was a shame. He denied a worldwide audience the chance to see him at his best. Perhaps it will come in the final.

FM: THE only question marks over him are his performances against Chelsea when he did not live up to expectations. But he is still an exceptional player and would be on any teamsheet.

 

Q. Who will lift the Champions League trophy in Rome on May 27?

GT: MANCHESTER UNITED on penalties. I have a nagging feeling it will happen again — just like in Moscow last year. It is the final everyone wanted and I hope it lives up to expectations.

PP: IT is the final most people wanted to see and I would love to see my former club win. But I also love watching Barcelona play. Whatever happens, football will be the winner in Rome later this month.

JR: RONALDO. United are so strong defensively and in attack. Barca are probably my favourite team to watch but I don’t think they put as much effort into defending as they do attacking.

FM: IT’S a very close call but I have to say Ronaldo because I fancy United just to shade the final in Rome. That will give them the title for a second successive year and it will be thoroughly deserved.

I hope Barcelona wins, but I think Manchester United is going to again," an MLS midfielder told me. "Man, they're just so good."

"It's got to be Manchester United," a TV broadcaster told me. "I wish Barcelona would win it, though."

Andrei Arshavin has revealed openly he hopes that Manchester United will lose in the Champions League final. 

 

Apart of  the manager and the best players, it will be intresting to see Barcelona fowards against United's back four and the Barcelona creative gifted midfielders v the hardworking, composed midfielders.

The defenders against the best players:

Barcelona centre-back Yaya Toure admits the Spaniards can ill-afford to allow Ronaldo the freedom to control the midfield if they are to fulfi ll their ambition to win the competition they last claimed in 2006.

"They are physically very strong, they have a truly great footballer in Cristiano Ronaldo and they won the Champions League last year, so we know it will be very difficult," said the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international.

"It will be a great game and it's important that we play at 100 percent because anything less and you cannot beat this team."

While Ronaldo can strike fear into the heart of any goalkeeper with the deadball, Messi can give defenders nightmares with his ability to beat opponents with the slightest of touches from his favoured left-foot.

United defender Patrice Evra, 28, insists there is no special preparation for facing the Argentinian winger, but feels that coming up against the likes of Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney every day in training is adequate.

And the knowledge he would have to face the wrath of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the event of a poor display is an added incentive when dealing with Messi who came second in the voting for the world player of the year.

"Messi is a great player. I might stop him 10 times, but if on the 11th he goes past me and scores, people will say I have played badly against him," said the French international.

"I need to concentrate for all the game and win every challenge. Last year the boss told me I could win the game for United. I was very proud about that.

"The boss (Ferguson) trusts you but he likes to say things that will give you confidence. I don't want to disappoint him or my team-mates."

 

The midfielders

 "Since I don't know what sort of game they'll play, what we have to do is get hold of the ball, dominate midfield and attack," midfielder Xavi told a news conference before jetting into Italy's capital.

"Winning means we have to impose our own style. The boss has told us to play the way we have all season, to enjoy ourselves and go for it from the off. He also reminded us that we need to control our nerves and emotions 

 

United midfielder Michael Carrick is aware last season's semi-final between the pair was far from pretty, with the English side prevailing 1-0 in the second leg at Old Trafford.

"We thought it would be very open and attacking when we played them last season and in the end there was only one goal over two legs," Carrick told www.manutd.com 

"They can score and create chances at any time but we believe we can defend well and attack them."Carrick's comments suggest United may be prepared for another "smash-and-grab" raid, where they nullify Barca's attacks and hit them on the counterattack.

 

 

Machine (Man Utd) V Dreamers (Barcelona) - Arshavin 

Barcelona tactical philosophy: attacking game with creative flair.

Man Utd tactical philosophy: -balance-, defensive yet breathtaking when they are offensive. The perfect blend or pair of defensive system is quick counter-attack for winning team, so speed matters..and United are blessed with such speedy fowards: Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani, Park, Macheda, Ljajic and Tosic.

There is no point playing defensive without quick counter attack, it is like weak team against opponents bombardments. When the team is in possession, they will only find the opponents defenders in their own half creating ‘great wall of China’.

From back to front, side to side, Fergie's side is one of the greatest collections of players ever. They aren't all superstars (Darren Fletcher? John O'Shea?) but they play for each other and they fit their roles to perfection (would anyone a year ago have guessed that Fletcher's absence would be talking point?).

 

It's this freestyling attitude that stirs so many hearts, Unfortunately, style tends to run into problems when confronted by a more realistic opposition.

Whoever win, i will accept it, but i will hope human hold their destiny on their hand and change the course of history..