Champions League Final

**Larry 'da' Wyse** · 15/05/2006, 12:13 PM

This might be a hard one to call. 2 handy teams who like to ping the ball around. Reckon Eboue might clean Gio out and get in some good crosses - only trouble is Afc rarely have players in the box.
Heading over on Wednesday - ticketless. If any spares floating around please get in touch
Thanks

**Risteard** · 15/05/2006, 6:44 PM

Best of luck getting tickets Larry.

I think its Barcas really. Nearly all the pundits are giving it to Arsenal on the false assumption that they'll be seen as the nay-sayers.
I don't think they will because there's probably too many young players having this as their first huge occasion.
Also, something not to be under-estimated is how fecking brilliant Barcelona are.
Believe the hype.

**mypost** · 15/05/2006, 8:03 PM

Originally Posted by Risteard

something not to be under-estimated is how fecking brilliant Barcelona are.

Barcelona may have had a weakened side playing last week, but they showed once again that without Ronaldinho, they're useless. Even with him, they barely scraped past AC Milan, and struggled to beat Benfica. Arsenal haven't conceded a goal in the comp now, for 8 months. Real, Juve, and Villarreal couldn't break them down, and if they don't let Barca play, they should win again.

**Risteard** · 15/05/2006, 8:23 PM

Read a desparate article about how 'poor' they were against AC Milan saying that Milan had a perfectly good goal disallowed etc.
I thought they showed that they could shut out a quality attack against them and as for the goal, Valdes didn't even try as the whistle had been blown a few seconds previously.
I've no doubt about the quality of Wengers side but i think Barca will take them nine times out of ten.

**mypost** · 15/05/2006, 8:29 PM

Originally Posted by Risteard

i think Barca will take them nine times out of ten.

That's what Milan said before the final last year. Didn't quite go to plan, did it??

**Risteard** · 15/05/2006, 8:37 PM

Hmmm . . . at least i get to cover my ass with that 10%.

**Karlos** · 15/05/2006, 10:36 PM

Really looking forward to the final as an Arsenal fan. I honestly am so happy they got this far already with what is a very young side. If they get beat it will be by one of the best teams in the world so there will be no shame in that.

I do think it's going to be far from an easy game for Barca though. It's a cup final and anything can happen. Arsenal have enough about them to hurt any team in Europe and if Barca are not top of the game they could get punished.

Whatever happens I think it's been a great european campaign for Arsenal and far beyond any expections I had of it. I do hope they can write another bit of history - it's certainly there for the winning.

**drinkfeckarse** · 16/05/2006, 8:13 AM

Barca are strong favourites but you can't rule anything out and Arsenal are more than capable of taking them. I hope Wenger doesn't sh!t it though and just put Henry up front on his own.... I think Arsenal's best chance will be if they play they normal game. If they do it could be a classic.

**Larry 'da' Wyse** · 16/05/2006, 12:00 PM

[QUOTE=Risteard]Best of luck getting tickets Larry.

Thanks - no luck yet.

See Messi is included in the Barca squad. To borrow a Gah phrase bet he will be 'sprung from the bench' if all is not well in the 2nd half.

Looks like Cole and Campbell to start for Afc.

**Dodge** · 16/05/2006, 12:08 PM

Bit on sky sportsnews last night about tickets. Changing hands at �1,000 a ticket. Loads of takers for them too.

LOL @ the "scraped past AC MIlan" line above.

**Junior** · 16/05/2006, 12:19 PM

Any news on whether Larsson or Guilly will start?

Sorry Karlos but I'll be rooting for Barca, purely selfish reasons (Celtic get automatically in to group stages of CL) and also would like to see Henrik get a CL medal before he heads home to Sweden.

**Dodge** · 16/05/2006, 12:24 PM

Guily was rested at the weekend. Larsson started (taken off after an hour)

**Stuttgart88** · 16/05/2006, 1:00 PM

I'd have Barca as favourites but I'll be amazed if Arsenal don't get chances. However, I have doubts about whether players like Reyes, Ljungberg & Pires will be clinical enough if a chance comes their way. I know it's not Wenger's philosophy to capitalise on it, but a definite weakness in Barcelona's make up is defending set pieces, which Chelsea showed. And Valdes has got to be vulnerable in my opinion. Gilberto vs Ronaldinho could be interesting. No better man to do the spoiling job that may be required.

**Junior** · 16/05/2006, 1:36 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Guily was rested at the weekend. Larsson started (taken off after an hour)

Yeah I saw that, but it has also been the reverse in recent weeks. Either way Im sure they will both feature at some stage.

I just wondered what the speculation is regarding the starting 11 for tomorrow night.

**Dodge** · 16/05/2006, 1:46 PM

Personally I think he'll start with Guily, hoping his pace would trouble a not totally fit Ashley Cole. BTw the big rumour in Barcelona is that Henry will announce he's joining them this weekend

**Roadend** · 16/05/2006, 2:17 PM

Is Xavi back? If so, the Arsenal midfield could be steamrolled.

**Dodge** · 16/05/2006, 2:21 PM

Xavi's in the squad but midfield will be Edmilson, Deco and one of Iniesta, Xavi or Van Bommel. If truelly fit it'll be Xavi but apparently its a little soon for him

**superfrank** · 16/05/2006, 3:17 PM

Imo, too close to call. Yes Barca are probably the best team in the World at the moment but Arsenal's defence has been outstanding in the Champions League this year and this won't be any different for them.

I think it'll depend on who plays better, Henry or Ronaldinho.

**Roadend** · 16/05/2006, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

I think it'll depend on who plays better, Henry or Ronaldinho.

See I have to laugh at that, Henry has been Arsenals main goal getter in the CL and League, that's not the same with Ronaldinho. Barca have more goal threats than Arsenal, which is why I think they will win.

**geysir** · 16/05/2006, 4:10 PM

I was surprised to see Paddy Power have it close enough
1/1 Barca 11/4 Arsenal.
If it goes to penalties, should be some shoot out but then I'd fancy Arsenal.