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UEFA Champions League Final: Match Day Commentary

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Good afternoon everybody. The match we have all been waiting for is here. Manchester United vs. FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final (2:30pm, ESPN).

The reigning champions from Manchester are back to defend their title against a Barcelona side considered the most dangerous in the world. Barca comes in short-handed, but won't be considered too heavy an underdog with the likes of Messi, Henry, Eto'o and Xavi still in the mix.

I will be providing commentary from now until the end of the match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the match (lineups after the jump):

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FINAL– There is is, Barcelona lifts the trophy. Great stuff and a wonderful season. Barcelona made soccer fun to watch for everybody. Can't wait to see them do it again next year.

Thanks for following along folks. SBI Out.

FINAL– Is it me or is Silvio Berlusconi begging ever Barcelona player to come to AC Milan?

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FINAL– Few things more thrilling to watch as far as non-game action than the Champions League trophy presentation.

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FINAL– Good game by the refs today, no really outstanding bad calls today. The deserving team won, which is all you can ask for from a ref in a final.

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FINAL– Not a bad calendar year for Xavi, who is named Man of the Match, adding that honor and the Champions League title to the European championship and Euro Player of the Tournament award he won last summer.

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FINAL– Guardiola becomes the sixth man to win the Champions League title as a player and head coach.

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FINAL– The Messi-Ronaldo battle goes to Messi, but you can't really fault Ronaldo for his effort. He was the only dangerous play for United today. His teammates didn't show up, while Messi's Barcelona delivered a dream performance.

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FINAL– Not a bad first year as head coach for Pep Guardiola. The former Barcelona midfielder leads his club to a treble and a Champions League title.

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FINAL- Barcelona 2, Manchester United 0. Barcelona is fully deserving of this one. They started slowly, but ultimately dominated most of the match after the first ten minutes.

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92nd minute– Which is more likely, a late United goal or a late United red card?

Barcelona youngster Pedro comes on and Iniesta comes off. Iniesta got them here and deserves the send-off.

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91st minute– Not sure I've ever seen Nemanja Vidic look so shaky before.

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90th minute– Will we see a late goal from United to make things interesting? Nope, Rooney's cross is grabbed by Valdes.

Three minutes of stoppage time.

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87th minute– Berbatov with a header well over. Wasted chance there.

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86th minute– Rooney whistled for offside. He's had a poor game today. Disappointing really. I thought he'd be able to exploit Sylvinho but hasn't even come close.

United corner.

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84th minute– Van Der Sar SAVES a Puyol shot off a beautiful Barcelona sequence. 

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81st minute– Scholes gets a delayed yellow for that studs up challenge on Busquets.

This one still feels over, but who would dare say a game is over with United involved? Or in a Champions League final?

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80th minute– Wow, Scholes just crushed Busquets.

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78th minute– Say what you want about the Barcelona attack but the story of the day is the back-line and how well it performed today. Puyol has been great at right back, the centerbacks have been barely troubled and Sylvinho has made Rooney's life hell. They won the game today.

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77th minute– United has its attacking quartet of Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov on the field yet you don't get the feeling they're close to scoring.

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75th minute– Puyol's header is saved by Van Der Sar.

Scholes coming on for Giggs.

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73rd minute– Puyol gets forward and draws a foul from Ronaldo. Not sure how much Ronaldo got Puyol. Dangerous free kick for Barcelona on the right side of the area.

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72nd minute– United nearly responds but Ronaldo's shot is blocked, United corner.

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71st minute– Carles Puyol of all people started that sequence with a surge forward. How does Messi get that wide-open in the area? Ferdinand was the closest man to him but he didn't look like he knew anything about Messi.

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70th minute- GOAL BARCELONA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it's Lionel Messi with a header of all things. He heads home a beautiful cross from Xavi. Barcelona 2, United 0.

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69th minute– Seydou Keita is set to come on.

United corner.

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68th minute– Ferguson with one move left to make, which should be Scholes for Giggs.

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65th minute– Park is off, Berbatov is on.

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64th minute– Berbatov is also set to come on. Yes, that's right, Ferguson is following our commentary on his blackberry.

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63rd minute– United with a nice run forward, forcing a corner.

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62nd minute– Paul Scholes is set to come in.

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60th minute– Lots of talk about Victor Valdes having a leg injury. You have to wonder how he'll hold up against a really tough shot.

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56th minute– Wow, United got CLOSE, but nobody can get on the cross.

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53rd minute– Xavi HITS THE RIGHT POST!!

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52nd minute– Barcelona with a dangerous free kick. Iniesta fouled in the arc.

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51st minute– Park with a turnover that nearly leads to a Barcelona goal. Ferguson must be steaming right now. He might have to use his other two subs quickly before this gets out of hand. Berbatov and Scholes should be coming in.

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50th minute– Eto'o nearly gets a head on a dangerous shot. Barcelona is playing well here.

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49th minute– Henry shot SAVED by Van Der Sar. Henry turns Ferdinand inside out and gets in on goal, but VDS makes the kick save.

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47th minute– It can't be overstated just how bad Anderson was in the first half.

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46th minute– We are off. Tevez is the only new player.

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HALFTIME– Tevez is coming in for Anderson, had to be done.

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HALFTIME– What might we expect different from Barceloa? Not a thing really? They've been very lucky not to have United test the centerback tandem of Pique and Toure, which makes me wonder if Ferguson will consider inserting Berbato to help give United a focal point right in front of that Barca centerback tandem.

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HALFTIME– Barcelona 1, United 0. Man Utd controlled the first ten minutes, but doesn't score, then Eto'o blasts one home and Barcelona controls the rest of the half.

Ferguson has to make some changes, and he's never been shy to put subs in at the half. Anderson has to go, while Park may have to make way to help give United more attacking punch. Tevez needs to be in this match, while Scholes could help United in a central midfield battle it lost badly in the first half.

45th minute– Messi with one of those Messi runs, but Van Der Sar gets to the low cross and gets lucky when he spills it to Vidic.

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41st minute– Ronaldo has looked like the only dangerous player for United this half. Look for Ferguson to pull a double-sub at halftime. Scholes and Tevez for Anderson and Park wouldn't be a bad set of moves.

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38th minute– United getting no possession in the final third.

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35th minute– Barcelona about to take its second straight corner. danger.

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34th minute– Someone needs to put Anderson's picture on a milk carton because he's MISSING today.

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30th minute– I would suggest drinking games but it's mid-day and most of you are probably at work. If I WERE suggesting them I'd go for fouls on Messi, dives by Ronaldo and Vidic balls won in the air. Yes, be glad we're not drinking.

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30th minute– It is strange seeing United in the all-white.

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29th minute– Carrick and Vidic try to foul Messi, who nearly gets away, but a free kick was awarded. Nothing comes from the kick.

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27th minute– Xavi with a free kick that is just wide.

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24th minute– Game has settled down and Barca is moving it around with ease.

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21st Minute: Valdes is hurt and getting treatment.

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19th Minute: Messi hits a blast just centimeters over the bar.

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18th Minute: No way this game ends 1-0.

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17th Minute: Giggs takes it but can't get it to drop under the bar.

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16th Minute: Pique fouls Ronaldo for a dangerous free kick for United.

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13th Minute: Anderson looks really off today. If he has a bad day, Barcelona will dismantle United.

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12th Minute: Bad job by Anderson on the goal, he got to Iniesta way too late and let him get forward.

United looking shaky right now.

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11th Minute: Barcelona scores on its very first foray forward. Iniesta surges forward, slides a pass to Eto'o, who beat Van Der Sar to the near post from the right.

Barcelona near finds another great chance.

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10th Minute: GOAL BARCELONA!!! and it's Samuel Eto'o, finishing off an Iniesta pass, beating one defender, and blasting one home. Barcelona 1, United 0.

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9th Minute: Ronaldo misses just wide with a shot. Great run from the left by Evra.

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8th Minute: It's a bit shocking to hear that UEFA has unveiled a new ball for this match with raised grooves on it. The ball is flying all over the place today. Going to make Ronaldo that much more dangerous.

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7th Minute: Rooney and Puyol will battle all day and that match-up will be one of the best to watch.

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6th Minute: Looks like Messi is camped out in the top point of Barca's three-man attack.

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5th Minute: United with the early possession here as Barca looks to get settled.

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3rd Minute: It took Ronaldo a minute to do something dangerous. He's locked in today.

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2nd Minute:  Ronaldo's long free kick forces a save and rebound off Valdes, but United can't pounce.

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1st Minute: Free kick for Man Utd.

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1st Minute: We are underway.

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PRE-GAME: ESPN has Rooney starting out on the left, with Park on the right in a flat 4-3-3.

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PRE-GAME: What an atmosphere for this one. And yes, I will be ordering one of those Barcelona warm-up tops.

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PRE-GAME: Yes, that was Andrea Bocelli, and yes, he was on American Idol before last season. And yes, I'm ashamed for knowing that.

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PRE-GAME: Hey, it's the blind guy from American Idol. Okay, I'm kidding.

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PRE-GAME: In case you didn't know, Man Utd is wearing all white today while Barcelona has its traditional red and blue stripes. The edge in that department goes to Barca.

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PRE-GAME: Sylvinho gets the start at left back for Barcelona. The veteran is one of the most well-respected players within Barcelona, but he'll have his hands full against Rooney and/or Ronaldo today.

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PRE-GAME: For those who were wondering, the match IS in HD. Beautiful.

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PRE-GAME: Henry and Iniesta are both healthy and in the lineup, giving Barcelona its full attacking squad. Should make for a great final.

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PRE-GAME– Okay, so that may not be the United formation we see. We could see them match up in a 4-3-3, but we could also see them in the traditional 4-4-2. My money is on a 4-3-3 though.

Nice to see Ryan Giggs get the nod. You kind of had to expect he would start in this game. His experienced and top form this season make him perfect for a final.

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PRE-GAME– Here is Barcelona's lineup:

Henry————Eto'o————–Messi

————Xavi———Iniesta———-

—————–Busquets——————

Sylvinho—Pique—-Toure———Puyol

——————Valdes——————-

BENCH– Pinto, Cáceres, Gudjohnsen, Bojan, Keita, Rodríguez and Muniesa

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PRE-GAME– Here is Manchester United's lineup:

–Park————Ronaldo———-Rooney—-

——————-Carrick———————–

————Giggs———-Anderson———–

Evra——–Vidic———Ferdinand——O'Shea

——————Van Der Sar———————

BENCHРKuszczak, Berbatov, Nani, Scholes, Rafael, Evans and T̩vez

Comments

  1. Ronaldo should have been on the right the whole game. Let him run at old Sylvinho.

    Iniesta and Xavi were gods. They never lose the ball, just passing around in cute little triangles, eventually finding a nice open man. Puyol was outstanding also. Any team with these three on it are near impossible to beat. And then add in Messi. Too much.

    Well deserved to Barcelona.

    Reply

  3. Courtney,

    Yeah, I think the early goal just destroyed everything United had going for them. Before then, the game was going exactly how most people thought it would. United were attacking the perceived weak back line, keeping Barca on their heels; Ronaldo was running around freely, taking shots all over the place, looking dangerous on set plays; even their midfield looked confident…..then, out of nowhere, (right before the goal I remember saying to my friends, “has Barca even had the ball for more than 5 seconds yet?”) one of the best defenders in the world whiffs on a tackle and Eot’o does what he does best by sticking the ball in the back of the neck. In an instant, Barca were jolted with immense confidence while United lost all theirs.

    As for where to play Rooney and Ronaldo, I can’t really say I disagree with you. In the EPL, Rooney has been successful playing out wide, but that may turn out to only work in certain games, against certain teams. I think Fergie has to be careful with how often he plays Rooney out wide, because by doing so I think he is limiting him, leaning on him more to play a defensive role. So yeah, in the end, I think you’re right, in that Rooney needs to be more central with Ronaldo out wide.

    Reply

  4. northzax and This Guy…why is it that every time a British team gets a lesson in football some Briton starts spouting off about how the British play the right way (ie “no diving”)? Then, they go and insult the Spaniards/Italians/Argentines by calling them cheaters. If you don’t like the way other countries play keep watching the SPL (if 2 average teams and a bunch of pub teams is a league) or EPL (why do they call it English if all the best players and coaches are foreign?).

    C. Ronaldo, Drogba, et al. dive too, you just refuse to see it because you are blinded by jingoism.

    Barca > MU. Messi > CR

    Reply

  5. Maxwell, you were right though on that Man U didn’t come out as defensively as I would have expected. I just think the lineup was bad given the tactics and then the early goal just seemed to empower the Barcelona midfield.

    But my questions is, if you’re going to play Rooney and Ronaldo as attacking players, wouldn’t you agree that the more effective lineup would be Rooney inside and Cristiano out on the wing looking to exploit his speed? Instead, too many times Rooney looked out of place as a service player in the front third while Cristiano could not get any proper service from the midfield. It just seemed like Fergie was mixing tactics, but maybe the early goal just completely threw the game out of rhythm for them.

    Reply

  7. I’m with you Jai Brooklyn. This team is one of the greatest of all time. Their combination of extradornary skill, verve, teamwork, and tactics were a clinic on how beautiful soccer can be devastatingly effective. It was truly a privilege to be able to watch almost every one of their games this year, as in almost every game there was at least one truly magical moment, one that reiterated to me why I love the Beautiful Game.

    Reply

  8. Barca, well deserved win. On that day, they were the better team. As every football fan knows, some days you get the breaks and some days you don’t. Had Park been a step ahead of the defender in the first 5 minutes off Ronaldo’s free kick and scored, instead of his shot being blocked over the goal…who knows what would’ve happened. Berba missed a wide open header too (granted they were already down 2-0 but still an open shot).

    Xavi and Iniesta were, in my opinion, clearly the best and most dominant players on the field. Messi had a sweet goal and played very well, but he didn’t have the impact Xavi and Iniesta did. They were just outstanding. Totally controlled the game and made Carrick, Giggs and Anderson look invisible (which doesn’t happen often).

    Courtney was right about Rooney making little impact and I see she’s been baiting people to say she was right. So here ya go Courtney, you were right. Feel validated, now? Rooney had no impact on the game, offensively. Puyol pretty much owned him. I’d still take Rooney on my team anyday, though.

    It’s so easy to get caught up on one game but Barca definitely deserved the title. They played outstanding yesterday. People will always remember their semi-final game against Chelsea and how they were “this close” to not advancing, but it was just their year. That’s how it goes in the football world. Things break your way, you make the most of your chances and you’re going to win the hardware. Congrats to Barcelona!

    Reply

  11. Oh, and another thing. I can’t stand either Rooney or Ronaldo. I just think that they played hard and deserve better props.

    Reply

  12. Rooney and ronaldo played their asses off only to be betrayed by a substandard midfield who couldn’t string 3 passes together. Barça’s defense was supposed to be suspect, but the back line was only challenged in the first 10 minutes when Park, Giggs, & Anderson played like they were interested.

    Ronaldo is still a punk, the yellow card was WELL deserved, and Scholes is lucky to not yet sent off. However, looking at how often CR7 and Rooney were fighting to win balls in THEIR OWN final third, I find it hard to think that THEY were having a subpar day. They had no support. None.

    Go Everton. Timmy Howard, be a wall.

    Reply

  13. How on this great planet does anderson play for ManU? Its mind boggling this is a player decision I expect from Osorio not Fergie. Berbatov is garbage and should be sold off, the problem with Manure today is that..well they sucked they looked out of sorts none of them played sunday so they lost rythum thats the problem in the epl nobody can sit here and say that they don’t take games off if its not a game against the top 4 they get to play with the rotation and the players but when it comes to the biggest game when was the last time the players who started all played together? I thought the goals we’re good and the first half was exciting but the second half was hard to watch.

    Reply

  14. Here is a question for Man U fans: Would anyone involved in Man U’s attack start for Barca? I don’t think so. Ronaldo is a great individualist, but he would be an awful and disruptive fit in Barca’s style of play. Rooney doesn’t have an obvious replacement place in the Eto’o-Messi-Henry trio, though maybe he’d find a place if Henry were not there. Park, Giggs, Scholes, etc. are all solid, but none are Xavi or Iniesta (who are arguably the two most valuable players in the world right now). Tevez might be a bench player. I doubt Berbatov would make the bench. This isn’t necessarily meant as a knock on Man U, as teams are built differently. But is also pretty clear than most of Barca’s attack would find a spot in Man U’s starting lineup if they were there.

    Reply

  15. The thing is, the premiership *is* really wonderful and Ferguson *is* a great manager. The lock on the CL semi-finals by English teams the past few years is very real.

    But Barca’s presence in the final or semis in 3 of the past 4 years shows that there’s *more than one way to be great*. I prefer Barca all the way– but that doesn’t mean I can’t recognize how impressive the English teams have been.

    Reply

  16. Didn’t Barca know that Man U is the great English power? Didn’t they know that Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager EVER!?! And how amazing and wonderful Rooney and Ronaldo are?! And how wonderful of a servant to their clubs Scholes and Giggs are!? And that they are just too small to deal with the power of English football?? And that they won’t have a chance against the vaunted Man U attack with their makeshift defensive line?!?!?!?!

    I’m glad Barca won, I am SO SICK of hearing about how amazing and wonderful the premiership is and how good they are and blah blah blah blah. Hopefully this will begin a new cycle in European football and the dominance (and boredom) of the English clubs will end.

    Reply

  18. This thread proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that about half the people commenting here are utter and complete morons as to football. At least go to the generally biased, yet informed, British press and read/make comments there on the CL. Ives is great, but he needs better contributions from readers.

    Reply

  19. It’s no wonder Americans don’t like soccer too much. Watching Barca play keep away is infuriating. That must be why we developed our own brand of football. If someone played little dinky passing games with me, I’d knock the crap out of him. Keep away is not beautiful soccer. Play direct, attack, and be a man about it! To heck with Barca.

    Reply

  20. Boooooooo!

    Man U really disappointed…I don’t like either team, but I was pulling for Glazers…Park not hitting that goal at the beginning really seemed to be a turning point…

    Reply

  24. Sir Alex needs to get his prescription checked if he starts a team, any 11, with Park and Anderson but neither Tevez nor Scholes.

    Reply

  25. Captain vs. Captain
    Giggs sucked. Puyol more than stepped it up.

    Star vs. Star
    Messi was exciting, as always; good passes, amazing control – he traps any pass perfectly and maintains control – ridiculous! Ronaldo wasn’t bad, but his temper got to him in the 2nd – throwing elbows, shoving.

    Coach vs. Coach
    Guardiola obviously – although i was nervous about keeping Valdez in. Fergie kept Anderson in too long – why wait til hafltime to sub him out? and Park didnt do crap.

    what an awesome game!

    Reply

  26. I didn’t have a chance to watch, but any time ManU loses is a good day. Congrats to Barca for a truly special year. Having watched them play quite a bit, they were completely deserving of the accolades they’ve achieved.

    Reply

  27. Ronaldo Gerrard Drogba three of the best players in the Europe also three of the best divers, so dont make it seem like only La Liga players do it.

    Reply

  31. I have to put a lot of the blame on Man U’s ball winners in the middle of the park. After that first goal Barca was able to move the ball around them the entire game, completely controlling the flow of play. Man U was never able to generate a counter attack and when the Carrick’s and Rooney’s did get the ball it usually ended up in a giveaway or errant cross.

    Reply

  32. United’s back five looked very confused, no energy. I’ve seen them this flat before in EPL, but only a couple of times. In those instances a call or non-call would pick them up and they’d get a result. SAF, EPL officials are your AMEX Card, don’t leave home without them.

    Reply

  33. Ronaldo & Scholes…classless, you got beat, take it like men, no need for retaliation from frustration. CR7, you’re supposed to the Footballer of the Year, stop acting like the spoiled child you are. Scholes, always been a goon, will always be a goon!

    Reply

  34. I grew up following Seria A religiously and I think Messi would succeed in today’s Italy but not 10 years ago. It’s really sad how much diving and whining has become part of the game.

    I wish EC7 the true and only ManU 7 could come back to slap some of these whiny little kids around.

    Reply

  36. Never First,

    CR7 dives alot, i’m not a fan of him, but CR7 would be nothing in the World of divers that is La Liga. Iniesta, Eto’o, Henry, Puyol, and Messi are 5 or the Top 10 divers in the World.

    Reply

  37. this guy: rewind to each time Messi gets fouled going through traffic, he is always holding onto a jersey, pulling the guy into him. professional, but hardly classy. it’s a good thing he plays in a league that values offense so much, he wouldn’t last a season in England or Italy.

    and yes, Ronadlo has been known to dive in the past, but he really has grown out of that in the past season, I don’t think he ever left his feet today.

    Reply

  40. Great victory, could have been 4 or 5 goals. The best team won. Very few Man U players stood out. Cristiano was given poor service all night. All other supporting attackers were invisible including the great Wayne Rooney. Maybe Fergie should have followed the Chelsea approach after all.

    Reply

  41. Great to see United had the courage to cross midfield early. Good effort not to concede 4-5 goals.

    Barcelona best of the best, they win/dominate with three defenders missing, incredible.

    Reply

  42. and yes, Barca played a brilliant match, no question, and deserved the win. but for all the bitching about how Barca played the way it was supposed to be played, to have the last fifteen marred by writhing in agony and going down like submarine with a screen door, it’s rich.

    congratulations to Barca on a well deserved win.

    Reply

  43. You’re telling me Ronaldo never dives in the EPL? I’m not anti-Ron or anti-United, but give me a break.

    Reply

  44. Just another example of CR7 failing to nut up in a big game. Time for liquor and a blow to the cranium. Congrats to all you Barca fans.

    Reply

  46. I find it hard to believe people still consider Messi the best in the World.

    His whole game is to create something or fall down.

    I hate Cristiano Ronaldo but he looked like a man next to Messi’s diving and whining.

    Reply

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