CL Final

I think this deserves a thread all by itself.

Should be a good game.

Abidal a big loss for Barca. Henry might be missed as an impact sub. Pique is playing brillantly but against Man Utd, who knows. I don't think Danial Alves is that big a loss, they might do better without him.

I think Utd will be too strong for them in the end.

Barca just about scraped one goal in 180 minutes playing Chelsea and didn't score in 180 minutes against Utd last year.

They will probably struggle to score against Utd I think, while Ronaldo is bound to get a couple of free kicks in good positions.

Advantage Utd imo.

Looks like Iniesta will be out for Barca after picking up an injury at the weekend.

Dammit.:(

I think the attacking players on both sidea are tremendous. But for me the question is which attack is more likely to break down which defence, and I think Man United are more likely to score (or likely to score more) than Barcelona.

If United play defensively - which I doubt - it'll be difficult for Barcelona to score. However, if they play a more expanisve game I could really see it going either way. If Henry is out then he'll be a massive loss for Barcelona. He'd certainly be more than an impact sub.

Now it looks as though Iniesta may be out. Unless Henry and him come back things are starting to look bleak for Barcelona.

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Originally Posted by Emmet7

I think this deserves a thread all by itself.

Should be a good game.

Abidal a big loss for Barca. Henry might be missed as an impact sub. Pique is playing brillantly but against Man Utd, who knows. I don't think Danial Alves is that big a loss, they might do better without him.
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Why would Henry have been on the bench if fit ?

Iniesta should be fit

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...313132,00.html

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Originally Posted by gustavo

Why would Henry have been on the bench if fit ?

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Because he won't be fit and will lack match practise. You cannot come back from an injury and play your first game back in the CL final against Man Utd. Even if he is free of injury I doubt Guardiola will start him.

He may be good for 30 minutes at the end of the game or as a plan B if plan A doesn't work.

But I doubt he will start.

Definitely the two best European teams this season playing each other in this one so should be a good game. It'll be 1 goal that will decide it, Barca to win.

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Originally Posted by Emmet7

Because he won't be fit and will lack match practise. You cannot come back from an injury and play your first game back in the CL final against Man Utd. Even if he is free of injury I doubt Guardiola will start him.

He may be good for 30 minutes at the end of the game or as a plan B if plan A doesn't work.

But I doubt he will start.

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If Henry is "free of injury" I'd say he will start. It's not like he hasn't played in months - it's only a few weeks out.

United won the league today, Real lost to Villareal tonight so Barca are champs also, I'm salivating here at the prospect of the final between these two. I hope it'll be the occasion we expect and the tournament deserves.

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Originally Posted by Denis The Red

United won the league today, Real lost to Villareal tonight so Barca are champs also, I'm salivating here at the prospect of the final between these two. I hope it'll be the occasion we expect and the tournament deserves.

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plenty of attacking players on both teams and both like to play a passing game so has to be a 0-0 and won on a penalty shoot out :D:D

Everyone expected an attacking encounter last year in the semi's and it never happened. I can see the same thing happening here. Barca with plenty of the ball, United soaking up the pressure and looking to hit them on the break.

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Originally Posted by De Town

Everyone expected an attacking encounter last year in the semi's and it never happened. I can see the same thing happening here. Barca with plenty of the ball, United soaking up the pressure and looking to hit them on the break.

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Yeah. I think the team that started against Arsenal in the second leg will be the team for the final, with Scholes coming in for Fletcher. Ronaldo will be definitely be upfront, with Rooney on the wing.

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Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

Yeah. I think the team that started against Arsenal in the second leg will be the team for the final, with Scholes coming in for Fletcher. Ronaldo will be definitely be upfront, with Rooney on the wing.

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I think Giggs will get the nod over Scholes tbh. But apart from that it'll be the same team as Arsenal away alright.

Will Manchester United play 3 attacking players like in the semi final or will they go back to just Rooney & Ronaldo in attack?

I think Barca missed Henry badly in the semi final as Iniesta is mucn in midfield alongside Xavi than when used on the left side of the attacking three.

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Originally Posted by pete

Will Manchester United play 3 attacking players like in the semi final or will they go back to just Rooney & Ronaldo in attack?

I think Barca missed Henry badly in the semi final as Iniesta is mucn in midfield alongside Xavi than when used on the left side of the attacking three.

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Yeah, Barca's biggest loss from not having Henry is losing Iniesta from the middle.

I think it will be the two attacking players that you've named for Man Utd but maybe things will be different if no Iniesta in the middle.

What are the odds of Barca winning 5-0?
I can see it happening.
It's about time somebody steam-rollled Man U in Europe.

Realistically though, I don't think Man U can defend as well as Chelsea did (for most of the 2 semi-legs) and thus I believe Barca are more likely to score. However, Man U are more of a threat themselves on the counter than Chelsea, so they can bang a few in themselves against what is a shaky Barca defence.

Fascinating isn't it. But I have to say, Barca aren't THAT bad at the back. It amuses me fellas like Dunphy slating the likes of Puyol saying he can't play at this level. Well I would refer Mr.Dunphy to Puyol's trophy cabinet thanks very much (for club and country).

I think Barca will score early and ultimately win by 2 clear golas.

And for the record, John O'Shea is better than you think. He gets harsh criticism in this country. Ask him to show you his trophy cabinet!

Ya and Djimi Traore is an excellent left back since he has a champions league winners medal

Barcelona are shocking at the back only a fool would think otherwise.