It’s live blog time! (Again!)
The finals of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester United and FC Barcelona starts this afternoon at 2:45ish. The English and Spanish domestic champions have 90 minutes to decide the best team in European football for the 2010-2011 UEFA season. Join me here as I opine on the game with gchat cameos from Botswana. Feel free to chime in with comments or questions, but not concerns.
The UEFA Champions League Final is sort of like our Super Bowl if we allowed other countries to play football. It’s like the World Series if it were truly a World Series. It’s like the BCS national Championship if we allowed teams from Idaho to play for the title.
The first qualifying rounds started all the way back in June, and now two of the biggest clubs in the world will play for the title. Manchester United easily handled German side Schalke 04 to advance to the finals, while Barcelona fought (both figuratively and literally) arch-rival Real Madrid for the right to play today in Wembley.
While Curt Menefee tries his hardest to pretend like he wants to be at Wembley, we’ll go through the lineups:
The biggest lineup surprise is Barca’s omission of stalwart defender Carlos Puyol. He’s been struggling with a knee injury and must not be fully fit. In his stead at left back will be Frenchman Eric Abidal, who was recently diagnosed with liver cancer and had doubts about ever playing again. Barca will start Abidal, converted midfielder Javier Macherano, former Manchester United player Gerard Pique, and Brazilian Dani Alves at the back. The best midfield in world football remains unchanged with Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta. Up front will be Pedro and David Villa flanking Lionel Messi, widely considered the best player in the world.
Manchester United’s lineup is widely as expected. The defenders will be Frenchman Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, and Fabio da Silva getting the start at right back ahead of twin brother Rafael. Antonio Valencia and Park Ji-Sung will be on the midfield wings with Michael Carrick and Welshman Ryan Giggs in the center of midfield. Up front, the dynamic Javier Hernandez (known as “Chicharito” or little pea in Spanish) will support world-class Wayne Rooney.
In my opinion, the key match-up will be Manchester United’s left wing Park Ji-Sung against Barcelona’s right back Dani Alves. Alves is probably the best right back in the world, and it will be up to Park Ji-Sung to keep him from bombing forward when Barca attack. When Barcelona have the wide attack to go with their midfield threat, they are almost impossible to stop. Park will need to attack Alves when United have the ball and try to pin him back in his own end as much as possible. United’s other wing, Valencia, will be in full-on attack mode against Eric Abidal. Abidal may be unsure without much football in him recently, and he will need to hold up against Valencia to keep Untied off the scoresheet.
And we’re off!
2:40 – Eric Wynalda looks like he wants to hit someone. So, you know, normal.
2:41 – Whenever there are mascots in the tunnel, it makes me think of this gem:
2:43 – Messi will often drop back almost making a midfield diamond of Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi. They would individually be the best player on almost any team in the world.
2:44 – Both managers looking dapper – Sir Alex looking good, although Pep almost looks a little more reserved than his gear in La Liga.
2:45 – United already appear to be pressing Barcelona heavily, and win the ball in Barca’s half.
2:47 – 90 seconds in, and the tempo and pace fitting United so far. They look much more aggressive than most teams have been against Barca.
2:49 – Evra bombing forward for United shows that they’re not particularly worried about Barcelona countering wide.
2:50 – Rooney winning aerial balls between Barca’s two giant central defenders is good news for United. Chicharito and Rooney working well together. Chicharito also drifting out left, which will help keep Alves in his own half.
2:52 – Chicharito clearly offside, but his threat is apparent even in the first seven minutes.
2:53 – Rooney blows by former Liverpool man Mascherano, but Valdes flies out to knock the ball out of play.
2:54 – Sir Alex went with red tie and accent. By accent, I of course mean complexion.
2:55 – Killer ball by Giggs and miscommunication at the back between Pique and Valdes almost leads to disaster.
2:56 – Barca now coming forward, David Villa threatens before Ferdinand knocks out for a corner.
2:57 – Vidic comes up to halfway line to make a challenge, which almost no defenders in Spain would dream of doing vs. Barca. United confident in technical ability at the back, of which they possess plenty.
2:59 – Very effective buildup by Barca undone by a bad touch from Villa. Barca looking more comfortable in possession now, but effective defending by United.
3:01 – Best chance so far. Movement started with wide ball out to Alves who beats Park. Low cross connected to Pedro but shot wide.
3:02 – Iniesta comes forward, but United defending with four flat at the back. Very little room to work.
3:03 – Messi’s first bit of magic. Dribbles around and through United defense but cannot work it into the box. Game tilting toward Barcelona now, they’re dominating possession and united happy to fire long balls into attacking half.
3:04 – David Villa rockets a shot from just outside the box, goes wide. United need to find a way to win back possession and give themselves a breather.
3:05 – United win possession, but Hernandez is caught offside giving the ball right back to Barca.
3:07 – Villa fires again, this time Van Der Sar makes the save. United pressing high but standing off when the ball is in front of them.
3:08 – Vidic makes a goal-saving last ditch tackle after a perfect Iniesta pass finds Messi in the box.
3:09 – Regardless of rooting interest, it’s great to see Eric Abidal out playing anywhere, much less in the biggest game in the World.
3:10 – With United defending in such numbers, it will be important for Chicharito and Rooney to hold up the ball for attackers. Berbatov could’ve helped this possibly?
3:11 – Pep needs a scarf. The skinny tie look is not my favorite for him.
3:12 – GOAL BARCELONA!! (Barcelona 1-0 Manchester United) Xavi plays a picture perfect pass to Pedro, Vidic is unable get over to him and Pedro slots it in the bottom corner.
3:14 – Looked like a momentary lapse in concentration from Vidic, losing Pedro. Against Barcelona, that’s all it takes.
3:15 – Xavi plays a ball out wide to Alves, who shoots wide. United need to be very, very careful and not let the game get away here. Barca can turn 1-0 leads into 3-0 leads in minutes.
3:16 – Set pieces may be United’s best chance at getting a goal. Definite size advantage at most positions.
3:17 – Giggs, 72, makes a rash challenge on Messi, could’ve gotten a card. Referee knows that it’s wise to respect his elders, though.
3:18 – GOAL MANCHESTER UNITED!! (Barcelona 1-1 Manchester United) Rooney 1-2 with Giggs and Rooney guides it past Valdes into the corner.
3:19 – Giggs may have been offside, and the goal is definitely against the run of play, but all to play for at Wembley. Masterful setup by Rooney.
3:21 – United look more energetic, but Barca still look every bit as threatening. Xavi fires high.
3:24 – Barca holding possession well, United continuing to press high and stand off back to their box. Both teams would probably be happy going in 1-1 at halftime at this point.
3:25 – Barca have a free kick from a dangerous position. Like to go short here and work the ball in.
3:26 – Barca go short and could’ve been in on goal, but Busquets has a heavy touch and puts the ball out. Brilliant play caught United completely off-guard.
3:27 – Barca have to be worried about Rooney running free against defenders. Valdes came out and handled but a better pass could’ve put Rooney 1 on 1 with Valdes.
3:28 – Villa puts the ball into the six yard box, but Messi can only get a slight touch on it. That’s the issue defending against Barca – their quick breakout can be even more devastating than their slow build-up.
3:30 – This whole “two balls on the field” thing has been a trend in the Champions League this year. Pretty annoying if you ask me.
3:31 – Halftime Barcelona 1-1 Manchester United. Barcelona dominated possession and chances, but Rooney’s brilliant goal equalizes Pedro’s. United haven’t done a bad job keeping Messi out of dangerous positions, but they’ll concede again if they don’t get more possession in the second half.
3:35 – Also, Pep looks okay in his skinny tie, but he could never pull off the look like this guy:
3:36 – United’s possession under 40%. Not unexpected against Barca, but they’ll need to do better in second half if they expect to win.
3:40 – Dani Alves was key in the first goal, and Park/Evra haven’t done a great job keeping him back. Will need to attack him more.
3:43 – United have been relatively positive, but have taken some strategy from Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. Real were much more aggressive attacking Barca on the ball, where United have been much more standoffish. Both defended in numbers and looked to work forward when Barca’s fullbacks got up the field.
3:46 – Park and Valencia are so much faster than most fullbacks in England that they can exploit the space vacated. Abidal and Alves are both fast enough to track back even if they get caught high up the pitch.
3:47 – 2nd half begins with no changes for either team. Mascherano bombs forward from center half spot winning Barca a corner.
3:48 – Both center halves up in the box for Barca, clearly not worried about a quick counterattack from United. Vidic denies aerial ball intended for Pique. Even for Barca, having their best defender closest to their attacking goal is quite brill.
3:50 – Rooney shows his strength by fighting off Pique, whose facetime yields yet another Shakira mention from the commentary box.
3:52 – And the first noticeable flop of the match from Barca, as Chicharito vies for an aerial ball and Alves appears to run into a brick wall of his own imagination.
3:53 – Dani Alves puts a rocket on goal, and the save comes right out to Messi whose shot is deflected over. Attacking verve from Barca again coming down Alves’s right wing.
3:55 – GOAL BARCELONA!! (Barcelona 2-1 Manchester United) Messi takes the ball with no pressure. He shoots right between Vidic and Ferdinand and slots the ball into the bottom corner.
3:56 – Manchester United stood off and gave Messi way too much space. Vidic and Ferdinand very afraid of Messi dribbling past them but a rocketed left foot shot made them pay all the same.
3:59 – Van der Sar almost looking at his defenders as the ball goes past him saying “Uh, little help guys?”
4:00 – Valencia takes Iniesta down, his next challenge will surely result in a card. Been close a few times. On the other side of the field, Alves gets a yellow for a rash ground challenge. Can’t complain there.
4:02 – United showing some attacking threat, and Carrick gets his money’s worth in that yellow card challenge.
4:03 – Rooney having to drop much deeper to pick up the ball from midfield. United will probably need to make a change – possibly Giggs off for Nani to try to help link defense and attack.
4:05 – Alves almost spearheads another goal, but United defend at the last and keep it 2-1.
4:06 – Sir Alex’s redness trending inversely to United’s share of possession.
4:07 – Xavi given ample time on the ball to rocket a shot to the corner, but Van der Sar turns it away.
4:08 – Now Iniesta gets a clear shot, but puts it directly at Van der Sar. United holding on here, but you get the sense a breakthrough is coming.
4:10 – Nani coming on for Fabio, providing another attacking threat on the wing.
4:11 – GOAL BARCELONA!! (Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United) Messi and Pedro combine to attack the box, and the ball ends up on Villa’s foot who fires a perfect curling shot into the top corner.
4:12 – Saw replay of the shot. Unstoppable. United have no choice but to push all forward now. Chasing the game against the best passing team in the world is no fun, indeed.
4:14 – United actually looking better throwing men forward. Some decent possession and a good chance for Rooney, but the referee waves away the free kick request.
4:16 – Hey guys, did you know Pique and Shakira are together? I was shocked too, considering he’s been known to go for tall Swedes in the past.
4:17 – Carrick off, Scholes on. Trying to move possession higher up the pitch and give Rooney more license to run at the Barca defense.
4:19 – Barca looking comfortable, seemed to weather the momentary United attack after Villa’s goal.
4:20 – LOLOL.
4:21 – United claim hand ball in the box, but not intentional. Valencia finally earns his well-deserved yellow.
4:23 – Barca now looking 4-5-1 when not in possession. Pedro and Villa tucked back to defend the wings, with Messi pressing up high alone. United need to press, and possibly get Giggs off.
4:25 – Best chance from United recently, but Valdes comes out to make the play. United comes back up and Nani cuts inside only to shoot wide. Valdes gets a yellow for time-wasting, which of course only wastes more time.
4:27 – Scorer David Villa off, Keita on. Guardiola now confident sitting back and seeing out the game.
4:28 – Busquets got roflstomped by Valencia. Puyol’s furiously_redish (except brunette) locks warming up.
4:29 – Alves off, Puyol on. Alves made a huge mark on the game.
4:31 – Puyol heads a ball approximately 100 feet into the air. Does the ball go higher because his curls can spring it further?
4:32 – Barca defending compactly, with 8 men tight together.
4:33 – Scorer Pedro off, Affelay on. Messi making sure he’s the only forward left.
4:35 – FINAL: Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United.
Barcelona were clearly the better team today, and the difference could have been greater. As Manchester United ventured higher up the pitch, Barca punished them. Where Madrid tended to defend Barca more compactly, United followed them out wide opening up space. It wasn’t necessarily a tactical error by United, but Madrid fared much better defending wide to narrow rather than narrow to wide.
Sir Alex didn’t have much choice in the matter, as his best XI were all on the field today, but giving up 3 goals shows the glaring need United have for a clear midfield destroyer. Carrick and Giggs are very good technically, but neither have the defending mettle of Pepe or the role’s originator, Claude Makelele. It may not have mattered in the end, as Barca were clearly better than Manchester United today.
The three forwards – Pedro, Messi, and Villa – each scored for Barcelona. Almost more remarkable: the three midfielders – Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets – each had an assist.
Barca ends the game with 70% possession, 20 attempts on goal, 10 shots on target, and 3 goals. United had 30% possession and 4 attempts on goal, with Rooney’s goal the only shot on target in the game. Judging by those stats, the margin could have been much, much bigger. The gulf in class was much wider than 3-1.
That about does it. Thanks to all for commenting and participating. I’m going to go play FIFA for about three hours now.
