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  1. Schalke just ran out of steam it seems. They put in some good performances over the course of the competition and probably got further than they could manage unfortunately. I think Schalke fans should be proud of their players, to see them in the same draw with Barcelona, Man Utd and Real Madrid is something to be respected.

    In the first leg against United, they struggled to get out of their own half and after being peppered for a long time by the United attack, they finally caved in. Coming back from 2 away goals is going be tough, especially when you're heading to Old Trafford but we did see them thrash Inter away. Second leg United were just too clinical, but credit to Schalke, they managed to get the ball in the back of the net twice (one goal disallowed due to a tight offside). Might've been a different story had Neuer been on form again and Schalke kept the ball away from their defence.
  2. id like to see United win it now, but i think Barca's acting may be too good on the day
  3. I think Manchester will win, I think it's only 25% of chances that Barça may win... Nevertheless it will be a great match
  4. Originally posted by LikeASong:I think Manchester will win, I think it's only 25% of chances that Barça may win... Nevertheless it will be a great match

    Seriously? Crikey. I would say Barca are just ahead, like 51% to Utd's 49% - close, but I think Barca have to be seen as the favourites. Man Utd have a better mentality and attitude in my opinion (no saints, but a bit more honest), Barca have got some serious work to do to regain my respect, Messi aside.
  5. Messi needs man marked. Literally one man to do nothing but deny him any space. Double up on him even. That still leaves Villa but I think Evra, Vidic and Rio will be enough to contain what Barca has left. Either way, United will have a better go than they did in 09. Control Messi, game won.
  6. Originally posted by germcevoy:Messi needs man marked. Literally one man to do nothing but deny him any space. Double up on him even. That still leaves Villa but I think Evra, Vidic and Rio will be enough to contain what Barca has left. Either way, United will have a better go than they did in 09. Control Messi, game won.

    I don't think it's so much control Messi as cut off the supply lines, i.e. man mark Xavi and Iniesta. Greece did that in the World Cup, and yes, Greece aren't Man Utd, but whilst they stuck Papadopoulos on the little man and he did nothing, the other players eventually broke through. That said, Rehhagel is and was Mourinho's predecessor in terms of negative football...

    Stop balls actually getting to the likes of Messi and Villa, and Barca will have a problem. United have enough quality to hit them on the counter, e.g. Hernandez, Rooney, Nani and Valencia can hurt any team in the world. It'll be a quality match in terms of tactical play, but whether it'll be quite the spectacle we hope for, I'm uncertain.

  7. Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
    I don't think it's so much control Messi as cut off the supply lines, i.e. man mark Xavi and Iniesta. Greece did that in the World Cup, and yes, Greece aren't Man Utd, but whilst they stuck Papadopoulos on the little man and he did nothing, the other players eventually broke through. That said, Rehhagel is and was Mourinho's predecessor in terms of negative football...

    Stop balls actually getting to the likes of Messi and Villa, and Barca will have a problem. United have enough quality to hit them on the counter, e.g. Hernandez, Rooney, Nani and Valencia can hurt any team in the world. It'll be a quality match in terms of tactical play, but whether it'll be quite the spectacle we hope for, I'm uncertain.




    Spain didnt play Greece in the world cup, you might mean Euro 2008? Nevertheless, every team knows that the supply by Iniesta and Xavi is crucial for Barcelona and Messi but still nobody is able to defeat them. Dont you think all other 8 players are top class as well?! Even when United is able to neutralize Xavi, Iniesta and even Messi, there is still a lot of danger coming from Pedro, Villa, Dani Alves and all the others... Therefore I think Barca will be the obvious favorite for the final!
  8. Originally posted by Coen:Spain didnt play Greece in the world cup, you might mean Euro 2008? Nevertheless, every team knows that the supply by Iniesta and Xavi is crucial for Barcelona and Messi but still nobody is able to defeat them. Dont you think all other 8 players are top class as well?! Even when United is able to neutralize Xavi, Iniesta and even Messi, there is still a lot of danger coming from Pedro, Villa, Dani Alves and all the others... Therefore I think Barca will be the obvious favorite for the final!

    Nah I know Spain didn't play Greece bud, I was talking about Argentina because I was just talking about how to stop Messi - their gameplan under Maradona basically revolved around him running it, which was what I was trying to highlight, 'cause Gerard was discussing how to stop Messi but I agree with you about the final.
  9. Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
    Seriously? Crikey. I would say Barca are just ahead, like 51% to Utd's 49% - close, but I think Barca have to be seen as the favourites. Man Utd have a better mentality and attitude in my opinion (no saints, but a bit more honest), Barca have got some serious work to do to regain my respect, Messi aside.


    Yeah, I'm being serious. I think that Barça players are very tired, ManU guys are fresher... And they have the thorn in their side regarding the Rome final
  10. Originally posted by LikeASong:[..]

    Yeah, I'm being serious. I think that Barça players are very tired, ManU guys are fresher... And they have the thorn in their side regarding the Rome final


    United also have some mighty important matches before the final (e.d. chelsea this sunday) which is in my opinion in their disadvantage. Barcelona can completely focus on the Champions League final since their La Liga title is almost secured. So even though at the moment Barcelona players might be tired (dont say that they are) they have 3 weeks to fully recover!
  11. In order for United to win they need to have everyone fit and on form. Play with a flat back four of Evra, Rio, Vidic and Rafael (Or maybe start with O'Shea for a bit more expereince). In midfield it would be tempting to play 2 defensive minded players in the centre, or 2 players who can defend in in order to cut off Xavi and Iniesta. However I think Fergie will probably opt for a Carrick and Scholes partnership, which would benefit United over the course of the game because Scholes can attack and create chances wheras Carrick can sit deep and set up attacks with an accurate long ball.

    On the wings it'll probably be Nani and Giggs, although Giggs did perform brilliantly from the centre against Chelsea. If Giggs played centrally, it would be unlikely that Scholes would play and Park would play on the wing. In fact, I'm starting to like the team that played Chelsea as I type. If United were to go in front against Barcelona, then it'd be just as effective to bring Scholes on for Park, switch Nani out right and bring Giggs on to the left. Reason I like Sholes is that he has the ability to shake players up a bit with his tackles without the game descending into a bit of a fight. Carrick doesn't really have this ability so maybe Fletcher could play instead if he's match fit. Flecther will worke tirelessly all game to hound players, just a shame he lacks the technical attributes that Carrick has in building attacks.

    Up front it really needs to be Rooney and Hernandez. Hernandez is only a young player and a pretty quick player at that, he needs to be told by Ferguson to chase down every single loose ball or anything that is passed backwards from Barcelona into their defensive third. I wouldn't opt for a 2 centre forward approach, Hernandez needs to be the striker whilst rooney needs to have a free role behind him.

    In terms of the way the game is played, we all know United can beat Barcelona, it's just a case of going out with that mentality. Absolutely do not sit back and let Barcelona play their football, let Barcelona adapt the way they play in order to stop United.

    Originally posted by Coen:[..]
    United also have some mighty important matches before the final (e.d. chelsea this sunday) which is in my opinion in their disadvantage. Barcelona can completely focus on the Champions League final since their La Liga title is almost secured. So even though at the moment Barcelona players might be tired (dont say that they are) they have 3 weeks to fully recover!

    It might well be Chelsea on Sunday but psychologically Unitd have the upper hand having beat them twice in quick succession and just rolled off the back of a 4-1 victory in the Champions League. after that United can afford to rest playeres regardless of the opposition (Blackburn away, Blackpool at home). A lot of players were rested for Schalke so expect some of the same against Blackburn and Blackpool.
  12. I think Ferguson will play like this (If everybody stays fit)
    Van der Sar
    Rafael ----------Ferdinand---------Vidic----------Evra
    Carrick---------Giggs
    Nani--------------------Rooney---------------------Park
    Hernandez

    Park is a middfielder with a high work rate, so he will defend too. Giggs is a great player with a lot of experience in big matches, so needs to play. Carrick is the one who needs to defend Iniesta and Xavi.
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