Champions League Final Buildup – Man. Utd Vs Barca.
The Champions League final, one of the biggest games in world football, takes place tonight and excitement is building. Could this be one of the greatest Champions League games we have seen?
On paper it certainly seems so. Two teams bristling with talent, two teams whose philosophy is attack but who do defending equally as well. It’s a mouth watering prospect.
What do you think?
Gary Lineker (famous goal poacher, world cup golden boot winner and ex Barcelona player) said in an article on the BBC’s website that Manchester United could only win if Barcelona don’t play well. In other words, Barcelona are too good. You can read the article here.
In his argument Lineker uses logic to come to his conclusions. Yes Barcelona are a great team, possibly one of the best ever assembled. Yes they have the best player in the world, Lionel Messi. Yes Iniesta and Xavi can dominate games from midfield. Yes they are favourites on paper.
But sport isn’t about logic, especially in such an important game. If it was, we would successfully be able to predict every game and football would be a very dull. No, there is something else going on which dictates games apart from raw talent.
Many teams have dominated games and not won, many underdogs have toppled giants and often the favourites have failed to win the big competitions. It’s what makes sport exciting and unpredictable.
So Manchester United needn’t be intimidated and have a good a chance as Barcelona in lifting the trophy. They have supreme talent of their own, players with something to prove. It’s not often that they are labelled the underdogs and will be keen to prove otherwise.
One cannot overlook the possibility that playing the game at Wembley, which can almost be considered a home game for United, will also have a significant influence.
I am going to go for an upset and just to stake a claim against logic, how about a defender who rarely gets over the half way line, Rio Ferdinand to score?
Whoever wins and whatever happens I think we are in for a great game and a great occasion. The Wembley football pitch has finally come good after the original gardening team were replaced and is looking amazing. Perfect for the passing game that both teams play.
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