Champions League Final

**NeilMcD** · 16/05/2006, 4:16 PM

Should be a great game and fair play to Arsenal they have dont great to get to the final. Should be a great game but I just think that Barca have more goal threat around the pitch to get them goals. I think Stuttgart is right about Pires Reyes and Ljungberg. In my view Reyes has a terrible attitude and not the sort of guy you need when things get tough. he is the sort of guy who will get you a great goal when you are 2-1 or 3-1 up when the other team are pressing forward. If Arsenal keep Barca out Henry could well pop up with the winner through a piece of magic and the same goes for Barca. I predict 2-1 to Barca after extra time.

**NeilMcD** · 16/05/2006, 4:17 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

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.

Thats not close in my view, I would have had it closer, I think the Gunners are a good price there at nearly 3/1. I think that is pretty generous odds on Arsenal. I would have had it more like 7/4 or 2/1.

**geysir** · 16/05/2006, 4:40 PM

I wouldn't give anybody even money on Barca winning. Quite generous odds imo.

**geysir** · 16/05/2006, 4:43 PM

OOpps sorry about that, the generous odds are for 90mins play

to lift the cup 1-2 barca
6/4 Arsenal

**Dublin12** · 17/05/2006, 8:05 AM

Originally Posted by superfrank

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

That's nonsense mate to be honest

,both teams have 4 or 5 players that can cause big problems.

**OwlsFan** · 17/05/2006, 10:36 AM

1-1 with Barca to win on penos.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 17/05/2006, 10:48 AM

Genuinely hope Arsenal do it. Head says Barca mind. Hope I'm wrong.

**superfrank** · 17/05/2006, 5:11 PM

Originally Posted by Roadend

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.

I wasn't talking about goals. But what would a team like Barca do without their playmaker Ronaldinho?

And yes....I know Henry's not Arsenal's playmaker.

**superfrank** · 17/05/2006, 5:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dublin12

That's nonsense mate to be honest

,both teams have 4 or 5 players that can cause big problems.

It's perfectly good sense. I don't think either team would play the same without their respective players.

**Karlos** · 17/05/2006, 5:27 PM

Very excited about the game now. I don't necessarily hope the best team wins but I do hope it's not decided on a bad referree discision or a controversial issue. I hope neither team can feel hard done by.

I really hope Arsenal can do it.

**Plastic Paddy** · 17/05/2006, 8:46 PM

Unlucky Arsenal - so near but nothing to show for it. And well done to King Henrik and (almost) all at Barcelona - worthy winners. All except Deco, the dirty cheating little *****. Hope he chokes on his medal.

PP

**carrickharp** · 17/05/2006, 9:00 PM

Henry just gone to town on the ref in the interview on ITV and so it wasen't a dive for the free that resulted on the Arsenal goal!

**Karlos** · 17/05/2006, 9:08 PM

Very proud of the Arsenal performance under the circumstances. I think the world saw in 11 v 11 the best two teams in Europe so equally matched.

Sadly the referree got so many things wrong in the game for both sides including the Arsenal goal.

Sadly we never got to see the final everyone wanted to see.

That's football and it can be very cruel.

Congratulations to Barca, a great side and a great club.

**Closed Account 2** · 17/05/2006, 9:16 PM

Arsenal were unlucky, they nearly pulled it off, even at 10 v 11 for an hour they were so well organised they made Barcelona look very ordinary. In fact it was only when Larsson went on that the game changed.

Such a shame about the red card, as it was shaping up as a great game before that.

**oconghc2** · 17/05/2006, 9:31 PM

absolutely delighted for Barca!!!! what a team - what a club! its what its all about! Hard luck arsenal - good side - disgusted by how ungracious in defeat Henry was! Thought he showed himself up! Real product of Wenger in terms of moaning and not seeing both sides of story. Fair enough wounds were fresh and maybe when he reflects he'll see it a bit different!

**Karlos** · 17/05/2006, 9:46 PM

Originally Posted by oconghc2

Hard luck arsenal - good side - disgusted by how ungracious in defeat Henry was! Thought he showed himself up! Real product of Wenger in terms of moaning and not seeing both sides of story. Fair enough wounds were fresh and maybe when he reflects he'll see it a bit different!

I don't agree. If it was Roy Keane people would be calling it 'speaking his mind'. I feel he was spot on about the referee who made some shocking discisions for both sides and his comments while obviously passionate were on the money about Ronaldinho & Eto'o.

on tonight's viewing I wouldn't swap Henry for any of them. Two world class players turned up tonight, one was Henry, the other was Larsson. Ronaldinho and Eto'o looked incredibly average in comparison.

Credit to Barca on the win, no sour grapes there at all but Arsenal deserve many many plaudits for tonight's performance.

**thejollyrodger** · 17/05/2006, 9:47 PM

well Done Barca

**JoeSemi** · 17/05/2006, 9:57 PM

The title as 'Champions of Europe' has been passed on from one great club to another tonight.

Henry's outburst wasn't justified and I think it was heat of the moment stuff. Whatever way people look at it I don't think Arsenal would have beaten Barca if the disallowed goal had stood and Lehmann had stayed on the field. Campbell's goal came from a contentious freekick, so I can't see where the complaints lie with Henry.

Credit to Arsenal though. It won't be the last we see of them at Europe's top stage. Congratulations to Barca too, and best of luck to everybody in trying to wrestle 'old big ears' back off them!!

**Risteard** · 17/05/2006, 10:25 PM

It was an awful decision. That's definate.
I'm unsure of the rule exactly now myself, but
Why, if the goal was allowed, would Lehmann have stayed on the pitch?
Listening to the argument that he should have stayed and the goal allowed from british tv all night.
Maybe it's got something to do with him not denying them a goalscoring chance if they actually score.
Fair enough it spoiled what would have been a good match, but he had to go imo.

**pineapple stu** · 17/05/2006, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Risteard

I'm unsure of the rule exactly now myself, but why, if the goal was allowed, would Lehmann have stayed on the pitch?
Listening to the argument that he should have stayed and the goal allowed from British TV all night.

I thought different at the time, but now I think that the goal should have stood and Lehmann been warned about his behaviour. I think that'd be for the reason you noted - he didn't actually deny anyone a goalscoring chance. Also thought at the time that Barca would prefer the red card, but as it turned out, the goal would probably have suited them better.

Fairly poor game, I thought. Obviously Arsenal looking to defend and hit on the counter, but still made for a very defensive game. Ronaldinho was very quiet - a couple of poor frees, a couple of weak shots and not a huge amount else. I think the better team overall won, but they didn't really show it on the day.