Champions League
2009-05-27 - Barcelona vs Manchester Utd
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: Europe, UEFA Champions League
Wednesday 27th May 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
Barcelona (Home 3-2-1 : Away 3-3-0)
Barcelona are a mythical team, a team that has scored 104 goals in the Spanish League at a rate of 2.9 per game, full of players who are big names and potential matchwinners in Messi, Eto'o, Henry and perhaps we should add in Iniesta after the late semi-final goal against Chelsea.
But, despite the presence of teams like Real Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal, the top division of Spanish football also includes some sides that are way below the standard required, and so the hype and hoopla surrounding Barcelona is sometimes overdone.
Barca are a side designed to dominate possession and attack, especially at the intimidating Nou Camp where we have seen Barca lash Lyon 5-2 and beat Bayern Munich 4-0 before being controlled by Chelsea in a 0-0 draw.
And yet in three away legs of the Champions League knockout stage Barcelona have looked less than lethal, drawing 1-1 at Lyon, at Bayern and at Chelsea. The only saving grace being that those 1-1 results enabled Barce to progress.
But the facts do underline that despite the bravado in the Spanish press, Barcelona can be intimidated, they can play defensively, and they do not run rampant over everyone.
Manchester Utd (Home 3-3-0 : Away 3-3-0)
Manchester United's season has been a triumphant one, with domestic league success and a Champions League final, but perhaps it's been a little less dominant than usual.
In England, Manchester United won the league with a game to spare, but there were a large number of 1-0 succcesses this time around. The total goals scored of 68 in 38 games was less than 2 per game, and was matched by both Arsenal and Chelsea and exceeded by Liverpool.
In Europe, the Red Devils continued their great unbeaten run, but in 12 games, United won six and drew six, underlining the idea that this season the Manchester United side is not a barnstorming outfit.
Man United rarely slip to an unexpected defeat, they grind out wins in a very professional manner against lower ranked sides, but against the rest of England's big four this season, United had a 1-2-3 record in the league.
Let's not forget though Manchester United totally dominated Arsenal in their semi-final clash winning both games against the London side, 1-0 and 3-1. United are a formidable side and with Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez they can score against any side.
The Betting Verdict
There is little doubt that the final will be between the two best sides in this season's competition - and a fitting clash as two Champions of their own countries - but there is also a growing expectation that this game will be a tactical battle.
Although both Barcelona and Manchester United have dominated their domestic leagues and scored plenty of goals, the swaggering displays have disappeared against tough European opposition.
The difference between success and failure for these two sides is likely to be decided by one piece of brilliance, or one mistake, and both coaches will set out to ensure that it is not THEIR side that makes the mistake.
As we've already seen in the UEFA cup, 90-minute draws are more likely in finals than in normal European ties. The stakes are highest, and with no away goals rule to push teams forward you can almost "see" the acceptance of extra-time in the manager plans if the scores are still level after 70 minutes or so.
As time ticks away, caution will be paramount and teams will stay locked in a 4-5-1 formation, as this match has been the main target for both clubs all season - and I'm expecting to see extra-time in this match.
The Pick :
Barcelona 1-1 Manchester Utd (after 90 mins)
