2011 CL Final: FC Barcelona - Manchester United FC 3-1 - Champions!

[woobie]

+1. it really is nice to have visiting United fans (do feel free to stick around even after the final) who are here for actual discussion and debate!

 

[Unbiased United]

No Liverpool fan I know including myself is jealous of you guys. Can't speak for City fans (we used to have one here but he is banned, but I am sure if he were here he would say similar.) Whatever though, this isn't the topic at hand.

Anyway credit to you and a couple other United posters that have shown up so far for being mature in discussion here. A lot of times we get fans of our competition who just want to troll (Arsenal fans recently were really bad) and I'm glad that hasn't really seemed to happen yet.

Personally, I love discussion, but I think you have to keep it fair and respectful and have your facts right. Many here, do that, and its a nice place to chat about the final!

 

[Neil1984]

+1. it really is nice to have visiting United fans (do feel free to stick around even after the final) who are here for actual discussion and debate!

LOL I've been here for a good while!!

 

[Chevy]

Luck is overrated. Bayern used to score late goals for fun back in the day, that wasn't luck. It was belief, physical and mental toughness. Same story with Madrid when they came from behind week after week under Capello. There was a strange inevitability about those late goals, almost as if both Madrid and their opponents knew that it was going to happen. They treated every game like a final and played like winning is the only option.

Luck can save you once, maybe twice, but if you keep banging in late goals and winning tight games then it has to be a testament to your fortitude more than anything. United have real spirit, we gotta make sure it doesn't become a decisive factor in the final.

 

[Unbiased United]

Luck is overrated. Bayern used to score late goals for fun back in the day, that wasn't luck. It was belief, physical and mental toughness. Same story with Madrid when they came from behind week after week under Capello. There was a strange inevitability about those late goals, almost as if both Madrid and their opponents knew that it was going to happen. They treated every game like a final and played like winning is the only option.

Luck can save you once, maybe twice, but if you keep banging in late goals and winning tight games then it has to be a testament to your fortitude more than anything. United have real spirit, we gotta make sure it doesn't become a decisive factor in the final.

Excellent point, I totally agree.

 

[RedMadridista]

Luck is overrated. Bayern used to score late goals for fun back in the day, that wasn't luck. It was belief, physical and mental toughness. Same story with Madrid when they came from behind week after week under Capello. There was a strange inevitability about those late goals, almost as if both Madrid and their opponents knew that it was going to happen. They treated every game like a final and played like winning is the only option.

Luck can save you once, maybe twice, but if you keep banging in late goals and winning tight games then it has to be a testament to your fortitude more than anything. United have real spirit, we gotta make sure it doesn't become a decisive factor in the final.

1+

 

[Thierry]

90% of that back to your 99 CL victory. I could not believe a team win a match like that and then go on and on about how they conquered the world and they are the greatest team in history and their coach is the greatest ever! Such an arrogance is unbelievable for me. Tbh though I rate your club among the greatest ones in the world but I believe everything about Manchester United is extremely overrated. PS I consider your team a very lucky one, that get lucky in the crucial times in alot of situations that eventually save their ass! By saying your team is overrated and lucky I don't mean that your team is shit or whatever. I just think people give way too much credit to Manchester United, more than what they deserve.

They are a really spoiled gang let me tell you.
Thanks to Sir Bobby Charlton and the Legend follow of things behind him and them Devils.

 

[desoe]

TWith Chicharito and Rooney in the box and the pacey wingers in Valencia & Nani, UTD have enough tools to expose our usual slow starts. So the defense needs to be at their highest concentration during that period. Once we cross that first hurdle safely, if the attack take their chances I think we are in for a win. We'll see what happens. Hoping for the best for our club

Yes! United's pace and tricky players on the wings + their play in the box is what concerns me the most, too.

I have no doubts that we will prevail in the battle for the midfield, but this is not a guarantee that we're not going to lose the ball at times, which will allow them to use these dangerous weapons they have.

Some United fans here say that Park is going to start instead of Nani, but as a Barca fan I find Nani more dangerous for our defense and Park more comfortable to handle. Barcelona struggles against pace and Nani is offering more danger in this component. So if it was about me to decide, I'd choose Nani over Park against Barcelona, although Park's hard working on the pitch is always valuable.

That's why I really hope that Abidal would be close to his optimal form for 28.05. He has 23 days more to get back in shape and start getting some rhythm, so I hope he's going to use it. Abidal would be a big boost for us, because I truly trust him in handling tricky and dangerous players like Valencia.

 

[gingerless]

Luck is overrated. Bayern used to score late goals for fun back in the day, that wasn't luck. It was belief, physical and mental toughness. Same story with Madrid when they came from behind week after week under Capello. There was a strange inevitability about those late goals, almost as if both Madrid and their opponents knew that it was going to happen. They treated every game like a final and played like winning is the only option.

Luck can save you once, maybe twice, but if you keep banging in late goals and winning tight games then it has to be a testament to your fortitude more than anything. United have real spirit, we gotta make sure it doesn't become a decisive factor in the final.

well said

 

[estranged]

Just out of curiosity? Who would you identify as a weakness in your team? If any?

Maxwell, if he starts (Which he won't)

 

[Neil1984]

Some United fans here say that Park is going to start instead of Nani, but as a Barca fan I find Nani more dangerous for our defense and Park more comfortable to handle. Barcelona struggles against pace and Nani is offering more danger in this component. So if it was about me to decide, I'd choose Nani over Park against Barcelona, although Park's hard working on the pitch is always valuable.

The problem with Nani is that he can be a bit wasteful, especially when he plays on the left, which he will do if he plays. When Valencia broke his leg Nani played most of this season on the right. He was awesome. Brilliant dribbling. assists. Goals. Decision making. But on the left, for some reason, he seems to seek to just constantly cut inside and waste possession with speculative shots.

He's off form and has regressed slightly with his decision making.

I think park will Play because he will be solid defensively and although he gives the ball away for fun, he does make better decisions. If Nani finds some form in the last few games, then I'd pick him over Park but if he continues to be wasteful then I'd leave him as a sub to come on if United need a goal. Also, I think Park would be more disciplined and vigilant with the task of marking Alves. Nani could cause him problems with his pace but at least once or twice will allow Alves to get away from him, whereas Park will stick to Alves like glue.

 

[Myrmecophile]

Maxwell is a solid player IMO, he's become a bit underrated on here. Not as good as Adriano or Abidal (obviously) but worth keeping around as back up.

As for this match, as long as we have our first XI available then I'm confident. We have never lost a match that Piqué, Puyol, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi have started.

 

[Unbiased United]

Yes! United's pace and tricky players on the wings + their play in the box is what concerns me the most, too.

I have no doubts that we will prevail in the battle for the midfield, but this is not a guarantee that we're not going to lose the ball at times, which will allow them to use these dangerous weapons they have.

Some United fans here say that Park is going to start instead of Nani, but as a Barca fan I find Nani more dangerous for our defense and Park more comfortable to handle. Barcelona struggles against pace and Nani is offering more danger in this component. So if it was about me to decide, I'd choose Nani over Park against Barcelona, although Park's hard working on the pitch is always valuable.

That's why I really hope that Abidal would be close to his optimal form for 28.05. He has 23 days more to get back in shape and start getting some rhythm, so I hope he's going to use it. Abidal would be a big boost for us, because I truly trust him in handling tricky and dangerous players like Valencia.

I think Utd will need Park's stamina and determination against Barca though. Nani is very dangerous going forward, but offers little going back, Park is excellent at tracking back, but also knows what to do with the ball going forward too. Park for me, although i wouldn't be gutted if it is Nani.

 

[Corb]

Holly shit, some United supporters are saying ManU can repeat AC Milan's 1994 performance.

 

[desoe]

I think Utd will need Park's stamina and determination against Barca though. Nani is very dangerous going forward, but offers little going back, Park is excellent at tracking back, but also knows what to do with the ball going forward too. Park for me, although i wouldn't be gutted if it is Nani.

Yeah, I understand that. But you see - as a cule, it's natural to me to always look for the most attacking option
But I understand completely why Park would be there, if he starts. I'm not underrating his role at all.