Historically, Rome is symbolic of many things.From the iconic colosseum , which witnessed many a bloody gladiatorial contest, to being a center of art, knowledge and beauty in the ancient world.Rome was the center of the greatest of empires, which stretched at the time almost half way across the known world.
Come the 27th of may, all roads will once more lead to Rome.For it is here that the eyes of the footballing world will gaze, for a night that is second only to the world cup final. The pinnacle of club football, the final of the UEFA champions league.
In a clash that is worthy of the tournament, we have what could be the 2 best teams in europe, with the 2 best players in europe. Champions of their respective divisions,winners of accolades, epitomising the spirit in which the game must be played, Hard, but fair, and always to win.
In one corner, Campeones de España,Ganadores de la Copa del Rey,Ganadores de la Liga de Campeones 1992 y 2006, Futbol Club Barcelona.
In the opposing corner, to quote the announcer at old trafford, "THE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND, THE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE, & THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD", Manchester United FC.
In a season that has seen Manchester United challenge for an unprecedented clean sweep of 6 trophies & miss out only by a hair's breadth on the FA cup & the European super cup,they are still challenging for something of epic proportions, to do something that has never been done before, To defend the UEFA champions league in its current format, thus creating history, something which, lets face it... ManUtd have become increasingly accustomed to doing.
In their quest for yet another slice of history and to keep the 'big eared cup' at old trafford for another year, they face arguably their toughest test in the catalan giants from the nou camp, who have been playing football which has been described with every adjective from fantastic to mesmerising.Their passing game has been simply outstanding,remeniscent of a bygone era, even without their full backs, alves & abidal & rafael marquez in center half, they pose a fearsome threat.
Why? you ask? simply because of this, all season, Barcelona's game has never been to defend against the opposition, it has simply relied on 2 words, pass and attack, its as if to say, score how many ever you want, we'll do you one better, so if anything, the loss of their defence will spur their attacking trident of henry eto-o and messi on even harder, it is possible that the formation might change, which guardiola is usually loathe to do, the attack might be focussed from United's right, where perceptibly the weakness in the defence lies, in the form of John o-shea , who for all his versatility will be tested most sternly in the contest.
Manchester United on the other hand come into the game on an incredible run, having been crowned domestic champions,being unbeaten in the champions league for over a year.They have been playing excellent football and have not hesitated to batten down the hatches and counter attack when too many of their opponent's resources have been comitted forward.If anything, a tactical move.United, at least on paper, look the more balanced and complete side,with a solid defensive line compared to the makeshift line Barcelona will field in Rome, that being said, it is essential that United be at their most clinical and ruthless best if they are to win, Barcelona are not to be given any quarter what so ever.
Manchester United on the other hand come into the game on an incredible run, having been crowned domestic champions,being unbeaten in the champions league for over a year.They have been playing excellent football and have not hesitated to batten down the hatches and counter attack when too many of their opponent's resources have been comitted forward.If anything, a tactical move.United, at least on paper, look the more balanced and complete side,with a solid defensive line compared to the makeshift line Barcelona will field in Rome, that being said, it is essential that United be at their most clinical and ruthless best if they are to win, Barcelona are not to be given any quarter what so ever.
Looking at the road to the final, United and Barcelona emerged toppers of their respective groups, and though United had to rely on an absolute scorcher from Cristiano Ronaldo to get past the pacy & aggressive Porto side, while Barcelona made similar heavy weather against Lyon in the first leg against the marauding Benzema before steamrolling them in the second.
United faced arch rivals arsenal in a mismatch of sorts at the semi final stage where they utterly smashed their old foes into the ground with a brilliant display of attacking football over the 2 legs.Barcelona were nearly undone by chelsea's tactics of what can only be called 'anti football', at the Nou Camp, where chelsea played with a back 10 or a back 11 at times, but justice was done in a controversy marred final where chelsea's physical approach & overly defensive & negative tactics caught up with them at stamford bridge in the form of an incompetent referee, and an amazing goal from Andres Iniesta, chelsea are yet to face the wrath of UEFA for Drogba & other players' outbursts on the pitch, but football has won.
And so, we are to see, the talents of the 2 most oft spoken of players in the world, both young, supremely talented, talked and bandied about by their respective clubs as jewels in the crown. I refer as is mandatory to Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi.On the face of it, for all his petulance and swagger, Ronaldo has stepped up to the plate this season, and * ahem * hit several screamers into the back of the net.Lionel Messi on the other hand has been the arthur ashe to Ronaldo's Jimmy Connors and in his quiet but modest way, 'el mesias' has let his football do the talking, and talk it has, shouted from the rooftops rather.
Barcelona have one decided advantage in this game, and that is that their strategy is already decided, they can only attack if they have to win.United on the other hand have an embarassment of riches in the attack department, and it will be curious to see who Sir Alex thrusts into the spot light.
My pick for the formations Man Utd going for a 4-4-1-1 formation which can revert to a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1depending on whether Ronaldo plays as a striker, or winger or supporting striker. In midfield however, Sir Alex will certainly pick his most hard working midfield, sprinkled with a dash of creativity, in Giggs, Park, Anderson and Carrick, With Rooney & Ronaldo up front, both playing interchangably as striker and support striker. Also possible is a 4-3-3 going all guns blazing against a weakened Barca Backline, with Berbatov or Tevez being the other starter at perhaps at the expense of Carrick.But the most likely is a 4-5-1 to stifle Barcelona's midfield, while using Rooney's work rate to stop Lionel Messi, as much as I would love to see Rooney return to his role as an out and out striker.
Barcelona appear almost certain to stick to their original formation, although it is possible that the catalans will alter tehir formation given the weakened nature of their back line, a 4-4-2 perhaps? All will be revealed tonight, as the clouds gather before what could be an epic battle, worthy of the colosseum itself, a gladiatoral contest, on which the eyes of the world will be.
