Barça v United

[dww]

United are huge favourites in my view as well. I hope Iniesta is fully fit otherwise I think Barcelona are pretty well buggered.

[cannotmakeit]

Berbatov reluctant to take penalty

May 26, 2009
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Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is already having doubts about taking a penalty in the Champions League final.


GettyImages

Berbatov's penalty is saved against Everton

Berbatov was on the end of some harsh criticism for a tame spot-kick against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final defeat and the Bulgarian has admitted the incident has shaken his confidence ahead of Wednesday's meeting with Barcelona.

He said: "That hurt. I'm not sure I'd step up now."

Berbatov also claimed only victory in Rome would make him feel like an equal in the United dressing room.

"I am part of this team but I don't feel fully part of it as I didn't win the Champions League (last season)," he added.

"If we can do that again this year, with me in the team, it will mean so much. I was jealous watching last year."


very encouraging from your 30m striker

[Tee]

I have a feeling this could be like the great Barca Milan final in 94. Barca went in as pretty strong favourites (given the calibre of their opposition) and were comprehensively demolished by a stylish Milan side.

Scum seem very confident, overly so IMO, and I think they will be caught cold by Barca.

[Craig_H]

Mancs 1-0 Barca


Here’s how it will pan out:

• Barca monopolise possession from kick-off, moving the ball around sweetly. United press, chase and harry to little avail.
• United string 10 players along and in front of the edge of their box, leaving Ronaldo up on his own, largely sulking.
• ‘The new Pele’ Wayne Rooney follows Messi everywhere. The defensive wonder Rooney to become known in future as ‘the new Terry Butcher’.
• Barca pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass – making little headway beyond the edge of United’s heftily-protected box
• United enter Barca territory for the first time on 38 minutes. Ronaldo dives. Free-kick. Deflection, goal. The ball trickles into the bottom corner.
• Barca pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass. SOMEONE SHOOT FFS.
• Barca begin to have some shots but a series of lucky United breaks sees the ball whistle narrowly wide time and time again.
• Barca have one cleared off the line.
• United are time-wasting. 42 minutes to go.
• Dive dive dive dive dive dive dive dive.
• Ferguson is looking at his watch maniacally. 35 minutes to go.
• The game is fizzling out. Barca out of ideas.
• End. 1-0 Mancs. One of the worst finals in living memory.

So predictably true.

[cannotmakeit]

well i was confident that we thrash milan for the 2nd time!

[lickedlollipop]

i'm not even sure that i'm gonna watch this.

[Pablo]

Messi, while clearly the best player in the world this year, is due a top performance in a really huge game, he has disappointed several times before when teams man mark him out of the game, I am really hoping its tomorrow night.

[-V-]

Im gonna go down the gym and watch it there. That way I have something else to focus on if things don't go well

Barca to step up and take them apart like we did These players know what it takes to win big finals and they will give it 110% and do everything in their power to win this

[Assassin]

Not watching it. The only time I watch the scum play is when we play them and if 1 of the channels are showing highlights after games.

I ****ing hate them!!!

[dww]

Messi, while clearly the best player in the world this year, is due a top performance in a really huge game, he has disappointed several times before when teams man mark him out of the game, I am really hoping its tomorrow night.

I honestly don't think I have seen Messi really trouble an English side. I'm sure that I'm missing some huge game but certainly in the semi finals against Chelsea and United in recent years he has produced bugger all. I don't watch a lot of Spanish football but I have to say in Europe he never super impresses me in the way that someone who is 'clearly the best player in the world' should. Xavi and Iniesta impress me far more but overall I think there is a lot of hype surrounding the current Barca squad/team that is yet to be justified.

[Assassin]

I honestly don't think I have seen Messi really trouble an English side. I'm sure that I'm missing some huge game but certainly in the semi finals against Chelsea and United in recent years he has produced bugger all. I don't watch a lot of Spanish football but I have to say in Europe he never super impresses me in the way that someone who is 'clearly the best player in the world' should. Xavi and Iniesta impress me far more but overall I think there is a lot of hype surrounding the current Barca squad team that is yet to be justified.

I agree, Messi needs to live up to the hype. He looks great against lower and mediocre opposition, but he is less impressive against higher class opposition.

I just hope he proves me wrong midweek

[-V-]

Problem for him is that he always gets double marked in europe and any time he has the ball at his feet he always finds 5 defenders infront of him because Us, Chelsea and Scum all play so deep against him. Its going to be harder now with Alves out so Iniesta and Xavi are going to have to get close to Messi and work closer alongside him

[Chrono]

Scum are going to walk this. I can't even bare to hear the result

[Jack D Rips]

Barca 2 - 0 Scum. Scum finish with 9 men. Early showers for Rooney and Vidic.

Now I dont want to think about it any more

[-V-]

****in BELIEVE!! You bunch of miserable sods