60 responses so far ↓

• Jay // Apr 14, 2008 at 17:20

  Easily. Just need to stay calm and optimise on everything that has gone wrong this season.

  I simply believe this out of the ego in United. What ego!! The club and their fans.

  A frontline of Bojan-Eto’o-Messi should start and Henry should come on in the second half fresh and energetic and hopefully he’ll get his passion back. Henry should start as a substitute though. For sure. Even Gio can come on. In fact, Gio should come on if required.

  Xavi-Toure-Iniesta in midfield can easily combat Carrick and Hargreaves or Anderson.

  The defence is the weak link. We all know that. Milito will have to be on top of his game and Thuram/Marquez should deputize aptly for Puyol. Zambrotta is doing just fine. But Ronaldo from the left would be a handful. And the Italian will have to call on all his experience of club and international football for one of his greatest challenges ever. Same goes for Abidal/Sylvinho if Ronaldo starts from the right.

  Valdes. Well, just be solid dude.

  But definitely in the current scenario, only Bojan-Eto’o-Messi can do the things that should be done. Only these three are capable of cracking United’s defence.

  Regarding United, we all know that WE HAVE TO STOP CRISTIANO RONALDO. No other option. The other forwards are all very dependent on this truly deserving “best player in the world”. Rooney isn’t such a force. Tevez can be subdued and Giggs and Scholes are operating on lost pace, but still have the brains. The midfield isn’t as strong as ours.

  The difference lies in the defences. United are solid. Vidic and Ferdinand are pretty good together. The full-backs are also pretty aware and committed to sniffing out wingers. But Messi and Bojan are in a different category of attacking wingers, of course.

  The key is LIONEL MESSI. No doubt about this. When he came on against Recreativo, you could feel his impact. You can forgive him for not being clinical. But he is definitely back.

  We’ll win this one. Everything is against us. It’s the most testing time since 2003. Everything is going wrong.

  How worse can it get?

  It can’t.

• Taras // Apr 14, 2008 at 17:23

  What a great photo! Of course we can, we just need to keep possesion of the ball and they will get nervous.

• dnzi // Apr 14, 2008 at 17:39

  Man, I hope Barça beats United. I’d love to see C-Ron cry. Again. Hehe..

• Red Ranter // Apr 14, 2008 at 17:39

  Cheers for the link back mate!

• #12 // Apr 14, 2008 at 17:49

  I saw the ManU Arsenal match on sunday, and I have to say that Rooney is the biggest threat in their team, I didn’t hear Ronaldo’s name for spaces of time, while rooney lead their attack from minute 1..I would make sure rooney does not get time on the ball..ronaldo doesn’t worry me, I’ve seen him in many big games and he doesn’t seem to step up to the challenge, while messi lives for these kinds of games..its not gunna be easy, to be honest I am more worried of S.A. Ferguson vs FR than the players themselves

• Joe Henry // Apr 14, 2008 at 17:57

  SURE we can we can easy overcome Man United. Just not under Frank

• Joe Henry // Apr 14, 2008 at 18:02

  Hey Nic do you know if Ronaldinho is really leaving !

• Shahenshah // Apr 14, 2008 at 18:05

  exactly #12. Cronaldo was nowhere to be found in the Arsenal or Roma game.

  Honestly Cronaldo is overrated. He is not that great of a dribbler. He doesnt have that close control Messi has that allows him to easily bullet pass three or four defenders closeby. Cronaldo’s main asset is his speed which is useless if you dont have space. If Barca effectively deprive him of space, he will be a non-factor in the game.

  Rooney is an animal though. He never gives up. He runs back to defend, takes the ball from midfield if he has to and attacks relentlessly. He will run non-stop even if you effectively close him down and dont allow him to get into the game. Unlike Cronaldo who will just stroll around enjoying the view.

  Another forward Barcelona should really worry about is Tevez. Similar to Rooney, he wont stop creating havoc for the opposition.

  I am positive Ferguson is going to start Tevez and Rooney up front. He has not been playing them both at the same time for quite a few games recently and it is clear that he is saving them up for their strongest opponents of the season

  Through thick and thin, Barcelona will overpower Man united and win. Its not gonna be easy but they should be hungry for the win. Nothing is going right for them at the moment.

• Morris // Apr 14, 2008 at 18:36

  Barca are in real trouble if Ronaldo starts on the left. Zambrotta doesnt have the legs to keep up with him. But if Ronaldo starts on the left Messi will have more space as Ronaldo wont track back. Also Rooney is more important in the big games than Ronaldo!!!

• Nic // Apr 14, 2008 at 18:42

  Joe Henry - well nothing is definite yet and who knows if Berlosconi was just trying to gain a few more votes in the Italian elections, but I really can’t see him staying now.

• blaugranaboy // Apr 14, 2008 at 20:10

  one true fact is that CR often does not step up in the big games, but calling him overrated is one of the silliest things i have ever heard in my life. honestly. watch him week in week out, that guy is so class. he is excellent with dribbling, fast, great stamina, and his shooting on both feet is excellent. and how are those free kicks!! but it has been seen he can be neutralized if man marked, but give him space and there will be problems.

  my view of the game has been improving lately. a few weeks back i thought we were going to get crushed. but for some reason little things are giving me a bit of hope. messi needs to be huge and so does etoo. if henry starts and plays how he had all year i will personally find him and slap him in the face adn tell him he is an embarrassment to himself and the team. bojan has more hunger and that is what is needed. hopefully sylvinho starts. hopefulyl vidic isnt too fit eiher cuase rio on his own is a clown. we have the ABILITY to win hands down, depends on how the boys show up on the day. if they cant get motivated for this, whats the point of even playing the game.

• NateW // Apr 14, 2008 at 20:43

  yeep .. manchester united are not as impressive in europe as they are in premier league. they don’t have the same dominance in a game.

  Barcelona sailed over lyon in the group stages. Manchester united had alot of trouble with lyon in the first knockout round. They could not keep their form on the field. not even close. only tevez could save them.

  However, we are not playing nearly as good now as we did in the first half of the season. Maybee the occasion can inspire them. Messi’s return will have an influence.

  The way we concede goals now is frightening though. Only these players can save the day.

• Shahenshah // Apr 14, 2008 at 20:51

  Anyone would have great stamina during the game if they dont run up and down the field alot.

  In Cronaldo’s case you could say it is a walk in the park.

  I havent seen much of Cronaldo but from what I have seen (vs Roma, vs arsenal, vs Italy), he is good but not good enough for people to drool over him like he is some kind of footballing god.

• Hilal // Apr 14, 2008 at 21:31

  The problem with Man Utd is not going to be scoring goals. We will score goals, probably quite a few given what I have been seeing the last few weeks. With Messi and Eto’o back together we will have plenty of chances to score!! Our problem will be in defense, with or without Puyol we are going to struggle hard keeping Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo at bay. I am not going to get into the whole Ronaldo issue, he is world class, simple as that. The only thing I can see saving us is our ability to keep the ball. Man Utd is not a team used to chasing the ball, if we can keep it for long spells and frustrate them then they might just start to crack. Plus they cannot score if they do not have the ball. The reason why we have been so weak defensively recently is that we keep losing the ball, which is very uncharacteristic of us. Our defense has NEVER been good, even when we won the double. What always kept us from conceding was our ability to keep the ball for ridiculous spells of the game. If we can do that against Man Utd we will win.

  Or just pass the ball to Messi

• BARCA 4 LYF // Apr 14, 2008 at 21:45

  C.ronaldo is a shitbag in big matches!!! He calls his freekick Ronaldo Rocket it’s more like pocket in big matches!

• Shahenshah // Apr 14, 2008 at 22:10

  exactly, his freekicks are mostly power than finesse. They barely go in but when they do everyone craps their pants.

  He sure can knuckle the ball though.

• Gobba // Apr 14, 2008 at 22:35

  Different tactic is needed against English teams.
  I would use Henry and probably Guddy as they have huge experience playing against MU and generally in the English PL. If I remember right Guddy played best with Chelsea against the big teams in England, i.e. Liverpool, Arsenal and MU.

• Hilal // Apr 14, 2008 at 22:36

  lol…..why do u guys find it so hard to admit how sick Ronaldo is? Sorry but there is NO way a winger scores 38 goals a season and is not one of the best in the world. Messi is definitely better in my opinion but still, Ronaldo is right behind him! He is top scorer in the CL and top scorer in the Premiership, there is no denying his abilities.

• Hilal // Apr 14, 2008 at 23:02

  Btw Nic, that picture is hilarious!!! Where did u find it?? I just mass emailed it to all the Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea fans I know…..needless to say they all had a good laugh!

• Shahenshah // Apr 15, 2008 at 0:52

  I reiterate: He is good but not good enough for people to drool over him like he is next best thing to Pele or Maradona.

  Most of his goals come from penalties and freekicks that usually follow a dive

  He scores a lot of goals yes but what else is expected? He has 98 shots on goals so clearly some of them have to pass the line. He leads the league in shots on goals and the second ranked player with that accolade is Rooney with 64 shots. Yeah thats right, the difference is a staggering 34.

  Those are just shots on target by the way, the tally is even higher if you include shots that are not on target.

  Its basically like:

  Dribble dribble shoot

  dribble dribble shoot

  dribble dribble, dive, then shoot

• Legend Stone // Apr 15, 2008 at 2:41

  I believe Barca will have it difficult against Man U. Rooney, Giggs and Scholes are intelligent players and so Barca needs to watch out for them. Ronaldo should be watched and closed down everytime because he is fast and good in the air and loves to switch wings.
  I think Messi will factor greaty in Barca overcoming Man U. Man U is not used to someone running at them since there are few seriously danderous dribblers in the Premiership so he may causee them some problems. English teams generally do not stand up well to players running at them as Maradona did. Henry should not start or even play if he is going to play on the left; Iniesta or Bojan could play there.
  I am predicting (without any evidence but merely a strong gut feeling) that Gudjohnsen will play a significant role for Barca should he play.

• bobby // Apr 15, 2008 at 3:16

  dang it not to say it ….but what one of the guys said buying queresma or guardado would be a good thing to our left mid

• Varughese // Apr 15, 2008 at 6:07

  #12:
  Don’t write off Ronaldo that easily. He still remains the big threat for Barcelona. I thought Arsenal did something which negated any effect actually all the attacks from the sides. I have wrote about it, just have a look. I can’t copy it back here but its regarding defense and if we can adapt it well we can see off ManU even though we have to play the second leg away.
  http://www.allaboutfcbarcelona.com/2008/04/how-to-overcome-manchester-united.html

• Varughese // Apr 15, 2008 at 6:09

  One more thing - Gudjonsen should start in the midfield and Iniesta should replace Henry up front. I know it will be a great injustice to Bojan, but this is a big game and its better to start him in the bench.

• blaugranaboy // Apr 15, 2008 at 6:27

  thank god there are some rational people on this blog. thank you hilal for having the sense to admit CR really is excellent. and i dont know how shahensah now has so much to say about him after u readily admitted you have barely seen much of him all year. stats mean nothing. and ur argument about the freekicks is so off. NOOOOO player can score all their freekicks. most will be happy to get 20 to 30% of them in. and CR freekicks are not just power drives like roberto carlos use to be he actually knows where is placing them. whatever im not going to argue this, its really like arguing messi isnt that good. anyone who watched premiership and watching him weekly knows the deal. he was one of barca top targets in the summer and any chance we could get i guaranteed u we would and pay well for him. no player is as realiable to score. he is good on both feet and has great arial ability. i just hope he doesnt live up to the big gain in a few weeks. i dont mind that people will then say, “see he isnt that good, blah blah blah”. players can have off days especialyl when marked out the game. messi was terrible vs brazil copa america final, means nothing. fabregas was marked out by macherano vs liverpool.

• Joe Henry // Apr 15, 2008 at 7:06

  No expectations No disappointments. People Man United is one hell of a team. Not only that they have an outstanding coach on the bench . And We have an outstanding team out of fit. With lame excuse for a coach on the bench. Overcoming Man United is possible just not expected. In other words winning would be a dream come true.

• Lionel Messi // Apr 15, 2008 at 7:57

  I will bring united down to earth mark my words!!!

• Frede // Apr 15, 2008 at 8:37

  I feel pretty confident, that we are stronger with the back against the wall. We’ve been favorites in all games since new year - now its time to be the underdog.
  Although, we have to be aware of United’s set pieces - and get the best out of our owns.
  The best of luck!

• Speeka // Apr 15, 2008 at 10:18

  None what so ever.

• Joe Henry // Apr 15, 2008 at 11:12

  hey people how about odds just give us in %. I say 30% Barca Making it thoru

• Joe Henry // Apr 15, 2008 at 11:13

  through*

• Taras // Apr 15, 2008 at 12:11

  When I looked at the picture first I thought it was real! Nic, did you photoshop it yourself?

• Jay // Apr 15, 2008 at 12:55

  Taras, the picture is real.

• Jay // Apr 15, 2008 at 12:56

  Nope, my mistake.

  It is real.

  But after the Barca-United tie. Just not yet.

• NateW // Apr 15, 2008 at 14:49

  I don’t think Barca haven’t scored off a set piece this whole season.
  We look worse defending them. Milito is the only one who looks strong and determined in the air.

  Hilal i agree about possession and holding the ball. I have definately see that in alot of games lost. The team still gets high possession totals at the end of the game but they don’t hold it as long and pass it as effective.

• Shahenshah // Apr 15, 2008 at 15:39

  uhhh 100%

• Tevez // Apr 15, 2008 at 20:36

  barca can do nothin against man u we will win ucl

• Nic // Apr 15, 2008 at 22:36

  BARCA4LYF - Your last comment has been deleted.
  1) This is not “a Barça supporters blog only”. Everyone is welcome unless they seriously piss me off.
  2) You do not make the rules here.
  3) We do not want insults here. There is no need to be so aggressive.
  4) Consider yourself on a yellow card. If you don’t behave a bit more like an adult you will be banned.

• Legend Stone // Apr 16, 2008 at 2:02

  Do you think Ribery would be a good buy for Barca if it were possible for Barca to obtain him next season? He is capable of playing on both wings, he is fast; has much flair and passes well. He is great to watch and I think he would be a key player.

• NateW // Apr 16, 2008 at 3:21

  I saw ribery perform in the Getafe vs Bayern game.
  Time was running out and getafe was 1-0. Bayern full backs were only tryin to cross in balls to toni and klose. Ribery just went to his own level in the last 15 mins. Getting by 2 and 3 defenders trying to work the ball into the box. He got the equalizer for them.

  He had mad reviews at Marseille.

  Getafe were down to 10 men and held back bayern since the first half. They should have won it.

• Varughese // Apr 16, 2008 at 4:57

  Buying Ribery does not solve the problem…. We have the best available persons in the defense now, i don’t think you can improve on that. The main problem I believe (as I wrote in my blog) is that the defense is not staying close. That is when an attack happens from far left or far right our full backs try to close down the players, which leaves tons of spaces between the full back and Centre Backs. This is one thing which arsenal did well in the match against ManU, whenever someone got the ball from the far corner, the full backs moved back to the edge of the box cutting down the spaces available in the centre. Which reassures the centre backs and they can position themselves well to deal with the aerial ball.

  Believe me if you are planning to change your defense; who are you going to bring in? Zambrotta and Abidal are the best in their positions and we have one of the bests available as Centre Backs. Still you want to change, then bring Ribery or whoever you want. Trust me it is not going to change anything. We ahd this aerial difficulty when we won CL in 2006, so we brought Zam, Abidal, Milito and Toure - did it change anything? And trust me these guys when they play for their countries looks like terrific defending the aerial ball. Its the way we organise the defense which is the key to all problem (i don’t mean changing the formation here).

• amiaq_ferguson // Apr 16, 2008 at 5:12

  Man Utd will play defensively against Barca, no doubt bout that..

  4-4-1-1.. the only puzzle is, who will SAF play in his lineup??
  if below lineup is chosen, i have no doubt that Man Utd will win..
  giggs shouldnt play as starting eleven becos of his slow pace..
  he will come in as sub together with Tevez and Anderson..

  evra-vidic-rio-brown

  hargreaves-carrick-scholes-park

  ronaldo

  rooney

• Shahenshah // Apr 16, 2008 at 5:48

  lol Ribery is a winger man, he cant defend to save his momma.

• Varughese // Apr 16, 2008 at 6:03

  Sorry for considering Ribery as a Full back. First of all for bringing him in we have to change the formation to something like 4-4-2 , then only a winger come to effect.

• Shahenshah // Apr 16, 2008 at 6:37

  no worries

  Ribery could very well fit on the right or left side of the front three. He is quite a versatile player. However I dont think Bayern will let him go that easily. Its like asking us to sell Eto’o

• Varughese // Apr 16, 2008 at 6:58

  There have been too much talk about how Ronaldo is ineffective against bigger opponents, but I think it is only true to some extent. He has been and can be kept quiet with a well knitted, tight defensive back four. But at this moment do we have the same?

  Our defense could be the key in deciding the match as we have a tendency to perform badly against players who posses speed. And Ronaldo has plenty of it. In that contest I have written the above comment. The key is not to give Ronaldo free spaces towards the centre, if we can do that then he will be quiet. He is not a versatile player as ManU fans claim. He has only one style and way of playing. If you don’t allow that he is not at all a threat. But the way we are defending does not give too much hope in keeping him quiet.

• Lee (La Liga Review) // Apr 16, 2008 at 12:27

  Watching Deco run around yesterday at training yesterday and I have to say he looked pretty focused and worked very hard - more than can be said about the rest of the strollers most of the time.

  He can be such a big, big player for us. Would you guys put him straight back in the team and, also, would you rest people against Espanyol at the weekend.

  Visca Barsa

• Harry Boulton // Apr 16, 2008 at 16:53

  I find it hard to believe that people still will not accept Ronaldo as the best player in the world. 23 goals plus numerous assists from the wing last season was unheard of at the time. 38 this year is simply sensational. He will need to turn it on in this game but Barcelonas defence is hardly known for it’s rock-steady make-up. The game will be fascinating I think……

• layi // Apr 18, 2008 at 23:34

  i believe we should watch out for rooney, tevez, anderson

• Tom F // Apr 21, 2008 at 11:07

  Ronaldo is not over-rated in any way, shape or form. The English press often like to think he is, but when you have scored 38 goals in one season you are a threat. Ronaldo doesn’t always rely on his skills, free-kicks and pace but is often in the right place at the right time to score important goals (Roma for example) yes, he was quiet but is a threat from the first to the last minute of any game.

  Rooney is the main man though, he works non-stop and makes the front line tick. I would be very happy to see him and Tevez in the starting line-up but unless he starts as a lone forward with Rooney on the right wing in a 5 man midfield it’s unlikely.

  My team:

  Van Der Sar.
  Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra.
  Ronaldo, Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Rooney.
  Tevez.

  Subs:

  kuszczak.
  Pique,Oshea,Silvestre.
  Giggs,Anderson,Nani.

  If I was a fan of the opposition (BARCA) I’d much rather see Henry start ahead of Bojan for experience sake, in the first leg. Then use the young lad as a sub who is capable of scoring important goals.

  Anyway we are lucky enough to be supporters of a game over two legs that will feature flare, goals, skill and passion. I am glad I am not a fan of a team in the other tie.

  i LOVE MUfc.

• Tomas // Apr 21, 2008 at 12:01

  Hi guys

  I’ll let you know immediately… I’m a fan Manchester United. This is a very interesting discussion, you have going on in here.

  First of all, I’m looking very much forward to the game on wednesday. It’s going to be a hell of a game, and so will the game at Old Trafford.

  Obiously I believe, we’ll make it past you guys, but it certainly won’t be easy. I love the way you play, when you’re at your best. And I to some extend agree with a few of the comments in here that players like Messi, Iniesta and Bojan can cause our defenders problems, when they turn and run at them. Espacially you should be looking to exploit Wes Brown on the right, because he lacks the pace to keep up with your quick-footed players. He’s a tough tackler though, so don’t let him get too close.

  Evra on the other side against Messi will be a fantastic matchup. Evra is, imo, the best left back in the world, and he certainly has the speed and footwork to keep Messi quiet. On the other hand, Messi certainly has the talent to make Evra struggle.

  Our central defense is mean, and I don’t think that Eto’o, on his current form, will cause us too many problems. Rio has the pace to keep him quiet. And from setpieces, you won’t get anything.

  The midfield battle will be interesting, because as some of you correctly mentions, you’ll have to keep possession to keep us down. Your problem with that is that you haven’t really been able to keep any team quiet lately, so how should you keep us quiet. We do have one of the most frightening forward line-ups in the world and midfielders with killer passing abilities. That’s where I mainly see your problem: every team scores against you, and you often concede 2 even at Camp Nou.

  We have very fast players in Rooney, Nani, Ronaldo, Tevez, and I can’t see your defenders containing them. Puyol is a great player, but I think he’s struggled to find his form. But even at 90% he’s easily your best defender against fast players. Without him, you’ll be in trouble. Neither Marquez nor Milito are fast enough to get hold of our forwards.

  On the other end of the pitch, I see our defenders struggle equally against your forwards, but the difference is that our team is so confident atm that they don’t know how to loose. And we are superior on setpieces against you guys, which is always important.

  Now, I simply have to comment on this Ronaldo debate. When debating who’s the best players in the world, there’re so many things, you have to take in consideration. I’m gonna make an argument that Ronaldo is by far the best player around, and I know none of you agree… and you shouldn’t :-).

  First of all, I’ve watched almost every game Manchester have played this season. For a winger to score 38 goals is an absolute sensation. Your own equivalent is Messi, who’s scored 15 goals so far. Yes it’s been in fewer games, but then again, there’s a reason for that: Messi gets injured quite frequently. That’s also a part of being the best: Not being injured and playing consistently. But even so, Messi scores in just over half his games. Ronaldo has played 40 games and scored 38 times. And it’s not just the frequency, it’s the way he scores: Every way. Both feet, his head, freekicks, penalties, in the box, from distance and so on… in that way, he’s a complete player. When did you last see Messi score a header? With his right foot? From more than 5 yards from the area?

  Yes I do agree that Messi has better close control, and he has dribbling abilities that Ronaldo doesn’t have. But there’s so much more to football than that. Ronaldo’s so strong and quick, Messi can be roughed up. Ronaldo is never roughed up. He get’s up and welcomes the next challenge. I haven’t seen any player with a stronger mind than Ronaldo. He can be invisible for some parts of a game yes, but he always shows up to determine the games… it’s a remarkable feature.

  My biggest problem with Messi, who I think is a fantastic player, is his proneness to injury. You can’t be out 2-3 months every season and still be considered the best player. Imo, he simply has to lay off the injuries to go all the way.

  Someone wrote that you can’t get everything from stats, and of course you can’t. But if you look at Ronaldo’s stats this season, they are so much better than anyone else’s, that no non-stat feature can weigh up the difference. If Ronaldo isn’t crowned the best player in the world next time, something’s definitely wrong.

• k9 // Apr 21, 2008 at 12:30

  United aren’t capable of holding up against two things. One is pacy wingers who will run their defense ragged because Brown is incapable of keeping up with dribbling and speed and Evra is not always found in his position.
  And the second is when the midfield is packed, scrappy and the game is hinged on aerial wins near the half line.
  Barca are capable of the first, but incapable of the second. The game will be won or lost on individual brilliance, agreed, but such moments of glorious billiance are few and far between.
  Last season United were bereft of three of their starting defenders against Milan in the second leg. And Milan snuffed out their midfield very efficiently because there was no pace or strength available there. Not so this time around. In fact, I believe it is here that Barca will face a problem. Hargreaves and Anderson will be trouble for their rather slow midfield. And if all goes to plan, United would have won that part of the battle. The rest is simply a question of Messi’s brilliance (he is the best, I concede, thanks to his intelligence and close control) and a wing attack by Barca versus a complete array of superb passes strung out from the centre of park by either Scholes or Carrick and pacy counter attacks from United.
  And United frontline isn’t that terrible either now, is it lads?
  It will be a very finely balanced game. I still think United will outdo Baca by the skin of their teeth.
  Either way, it will ba cracker of a game. (And there are hardly enough pacy and gifted defensive players in Barca lineup who can man mark Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney at once, not to mention one Nani).

• AndyCR7 // Apr 21, 2008 at 13:37

  You people will eat your words when Ronaldo scores…
  Ronaldo is complete player. He can score with his both feet. Don’t remember last when Messi shot the ball (football :D) with his right foot. And Ronaldo is damn good in air. And Messi with his height, he can’t just win a header from a 10th grader. Don’t remember last when Messi scored with his head…

• Conor Brown // Apr 21, 2008 at 17:57

  Nate;”Barcelona sailed over lyon in the group stages.” emmm, didn’t you lose against them this year, badly?
  Shahenshah; Ronaldo is overrated? Fair enough he doesn’t show up in the big games anywhere near as well as Messi does, but if he is the top scorer in the Champions League and the Premier League he must not be that bad.
  Blaugranaboy; “hopefulyl vidic isnt too fit eiher cuase rio on his own is a clown.” Judging by this season alone, Ferdinand is a much better defender than any of yours. I still think Puyol is one of the best but he hasn’t had as consistent a season as normal, just because your whole defence has been terrible in truth.
  Key Battles:
  Rio & Vidic v Eto’o - I can see Eto’o scoring one, possibly two.
  Evra v Messi - I have to say it will be sad to see Evra get embarrassed by Messi, but I can see it happening.
  Iniesta, Xavi and Toure v Anderson, Hargreaves and Carrick - Could go either way, but Barca’s midfield certainly has better creativity and vision, Man U’s has more pace and power.
  Ronaldo v Abidal - With Abidal’s recent form I can see Ronnie having a good game, but then again it is against a top team, so he’ll probably get marked out of the game. Then score a header from a Nani corner late on
  Rooney v rest of defence - Yes he will occupy your whole defence, but don’t worry he’ll probably go straight through the middle one on one 3 times in the game and miss them all, then you will be praising Valdes for being amazing, after weeks of saying he should leave!

• Conor Brown // Apr 21, 2008 at 17:58

  Nate;”Barcelona sailed over lyon in the group stages.” emmm, didn’t you lose against them this year, badly?
  Shahenshah; Ronaldo is overrated? Fair enough he doesn’t show up in the big games anywhere near as well as Messi does, but if he is the top scorer in the Champions League and the Premier League he must not be that bad.
  Blaugranaboy; “hopefulyl vidic isnt too fit eiher cuase rio on his own is a clown.” Judging by this season alone, Ferdinand is a much better defender than any of yours. I still think Puyol is one of the best but he hasn’t had as consistent a season as normal, just because your whole defence has been terrible in truth.
  Key Battles:
  Rio & Vidic v Eto’o - I can see Eto’o scoring one, possibly two.
  Evra v Messi - I have to say it will be sad to see Evra get embarrassed by Messi, but I can see it happening.
  Iniesta, Xavi and Toure v Anderson, Hargreaves and Carrick - Could go either way, but Barca’s midfield certainly has better creativity and vision, Man U’s has more pace and power.
  Ronaldo v Abidal - With Abidal’s recent form I can see Ronnie having a good game, but then again it is against a top team, so he’ll probably get marked out of the game. Then score a header from a Nani corner late on
  Rooney v rest of defence - Yes he will occupy your whole defence, but don’t worry he’ll probably go straight through the middle one on one 3 times in the game and miss them all, then you will be praising Valdes for being amazing, after weeks of saying he should leave!

• Conor Brown // Apr 21, 2008 at 18:17

  Sorry, I meant play badly, and draw against Lyon. You also drew against Rangers, a fairly rubbish team don’t you think? Our two draws in the CL this season were away in Lyon(just like you) and a draw against Roma with a reserve team. We have been the better team than you in the Cl this season so I don’t understand your comment Nate:”yeep .. manchester united are not as impressive in europe as they are in premier league. “.

• Daniel Ortega // Apr 22, 2008 at 0:38

  HAVING A LAUGH HAVING A LAUGH, IF YOU THINK YOU GOING TO BEAT US, YOUR HAVING A LAUGH.
  I really think that the return leg at OT will be the decider.

• Tom F // Apr 22, 2008 at 2:09

  Conor Brown-As a United supporter I have to quickly say ‘*coughs* Paul Scholes!!! You say we don’t compete with Barca when it comes to creativity in midfield? The Ginger Prince is one of the best passers of the ball that football has ever seen and at this stage, Carrick is up there too. Anderson also can win and pass a ball in one movement so I won’t be too worried there.

  I think the only thing that will catch us out is a lack of concentration or nerves. I know we shouldn’t have any of those but that’s what you get! Evra is one of our best players this season but he can often be skipped past while out of position, something which Messi will take advantage of I’m sure.

  An away goal will set this up nicely for us and IF we fail to score I will be suprised as Barca, like us have such an attack minded way of playing. Saying that Thuram is looking great again and may prove to be a ‘pain in zi ass’!

  I am excited though and if I knew we’d win the cup I’d be backing the Scousers to beat Chelsea but for now I’ll have to back the Rent Boys instead!

• Karl // Apr 22, 2008 at 14:20

  As a United supporter…
  Great article and responses.

  I think United will edge it. Don’t think the game will be a cracker as we expect, because SAF has the tendency to over-respect big teams and slow the game down…right down. I expect it to be a real messy affair, but with United eventually snatching it.

  I also belive SAF will play a 5 man midfield with Anderson covering for Evra in order to contain Messi. Doubt Messi will show up. Barca can win it though because Rooney will be pretty much on his own up front, and as someone stated before, he’ll get about 3 one-on-ones to indicate how bad your defence is, and miss them all (indication of how bad his luck is).

  Main threat will be Rooney. Most important player for United - Anderson. Let’s hope he start scoring tomorrow.

• one // Apr 22, 2008 at 19:25

  I agree with some of the comments here that this game will be decided by a flash of brilliance from either team..whether it will be Messi or Rooney..Hoho..I am so excited about the prospect of this game. Hopefully both team won’t go into boring-defensive type of play.. 1-1 for this game..scorer: eto’o and tevez

Leave a Comment