Barcelona 3, Manchester United 1.
The result of the final came as no surprise to me. I predicted a 3-0 result, and as Manchester United's goal, while a moment of brilliance for Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, was firmly against the run of play, a 3-0 result would have been more fitting for Barca's dominance of the Red Devils. After this type of performance, it would be easy for me to rag on Manchester United, because they are my arch-rivals. However, this performance showed me that Barcelona is the best team I have ever seen.
Barcelona has two sides of it's play - the side that showed against Manchester United yesterday, which showcased their world-class talent and skill, and the side that showed against Real Madrid, which is the ugly style of play which angers neutrals. There is no hating their style of play yesterday - it was a great watch, complete with great players, great finishes, and true team football. However, their flopping and acting against Real Madrid and other opponents can give Barca football (as well as Spanish football) a bad public image. I am jealous of Barcelona's style of play because they execute it so well, and having the best player (Messi) and midfielder (Xavi) in my opinion makes defeating the Catalans a difficult task. Nani proclaimed that Manchester United could beat Barcelona "next year" and I would just love to ask him why? The players are all in their prime and United gets older in midfield. This team should continue to be dominant for the next few years, as long as the players stay together.
For United, there is really nothing to be said. It was the same comprehensive defeat as in '09, perhaps worse because of the large difference in class. This team was built up all week, despite winning the EPL with one of the fewest point totals in its history, as being able to topple Barcelona. When you look at this team, there is no star-power other than Wayne Rooney. Hernandez has a great first season in the EPL, but many of his goals were the product of his team, not his own individual skill, and he looked lost against Barcelona's back four. Berbatov didn't even make the team, which was puzzling, considering one of United's few advantages was their aerial game. The midfield continues to stay old, with Giggs and Scholes nearing their respective ends, and Carrick and Fletcher not producing any captivating play. The back-line remains firm for United, but after Nemanja Vidic had arguably his best season ever and Edwin Van Der Sar retiring, how much better can the defense get? There are many questions for United entering next season, because their EPL crown this year could have gone to anyone. Chelsea and Arsenal will be stronger, and City is sure to continue to buy players, so United must buy in the transfer market to keep up with their rivals, as well as having any chance to beat Barcelona.
I would like to write about the FIFA scandal going on right now but the facts need to come out. I don't want to misinform anyone. My initial perceptions on Bin Hammam are that he is guilty in bribing officials for votes. Who would want the World Cup in Qatar? It seems suspicious, and his withdrawal from the FIFA election makes it looks worse. We will see though.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Recap of the Weekend
Last weekend's play featured Manchester United's virtual clinching of the Premier League title as well as Milan and Barcelona winning their respective leagues. United's win over Chelsea means they must only take one point in their final two games against teams battling relegation. In a weaker Serie A, Milan proved to be the strongest as they drew 0-0 in Rome to clinch the title. Barcelona's title came as no surprise, as the Catalans are clearly the best team in Europe.
I thought United's 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday was an encapsulation of both teams' respective seasons. United's attack featured Javier Hernandez, who was their surprise of the season, and Vidic, who was their best player from beginning to end. Both goals were started by Ryan Giggs, who helped them significantly in midfield to reach the title. However, they were far from dominant and did just enough to win, with Hernandez wasting numerous opportunities. He's young, and he had a great debut season, but he really could have easily had a hat-trick in the game, and in seasons where the challengers are stronger, those efforts would not have been enough. For Chelsea, it was a similar lack of creativity and inability to provide the final ball. They came out too slowly, and by the time they put themselves in the game, it was too late. This team can and will reload next season, but who goes and who stays remains to be seen.
Milan's title was rather ordinary, as Serie A was not too strong this year. The most interesting piece is that this title is Zlatan Ibrahimovic's eighth straight. His agent says he is a "winner", and what else does his record say? Eight straight titles with the likes of Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, and now Milan is a unique feat, and one that is unlikely to be replicated. Talk of him moving to City is bad news for other Premier League challengers, and a move to England would greatly shift the power towards whoever were to obtain him. If Milan do keep him, they could be competitive in Europe next year.
Barcelona's latest triumph came as a formality, as their dominant season stands alone in Spain. With all the controversy surrounding the squad, all they do is get results, and with La Liga wrapped up, they can focus squarely on the Champions League final against Manchester United. With Barcelona, you can't really think of a player they could add to the squad; that is how complete and superior their players are as a unit. Perhaps a better outside left back? The team has a scary amount of talent, and anything other than a double for the Catalans would be surprising.
The last note I'd like to touch on this week is City's clinching of a spot in the Champions League. City is the new Chelsea, with huge spending and a quick leash for success, and now they have reached the point they would like to be at. Mancini has said they will spend more, and if they do so, they will surely challenge for the title next season. For Tottenham, it is a complete turnaround, as now their hopes of playing in Europe at all are in doubt. If this team is to remain in the top half, they must keep Modric and Bale, which will be very tough to do with the offers and money that will be thrown their way. If they do, an improved Liverpool and a domestically focused Tottenham will add to City, United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the chase for the title next year.
I thought United's 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday was an encapsulation of both teams' respective seasons. United's attack featured Javier Hernandez, who was their surprise of the season, and Vidic, who was their best player from beginning to end. Both goals were started by Ryan Giggs, who helped them significantly in midfield to reach the title. However, they were far from dominant and did just enough to win, with Hernandez wasting numerous opportunities. He's young, and he had a great debut season, but he really could have easily had a hat-trick in the game, and in seasons where the challengers are stronger, those efforts would not have been enough. For Chelsea, it was a similar lack of creativity and inability to provide the final ball. They came out too slowly, and by the time they put themselves in the game, it was too late. This team can and will reload next season, but who goes and who stays remains to be seen.
Milan's title was rather ordinary, as Serie A was not too strong this year. The most interesting piece is that this title is Zlatan Ibrahimovic's eighth straight. His agent says he is a "winner", and what else does his record say? Eight straight titles with the likes of Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, and now Milan is a unique feat, and one that is unlikely to be replicated. Talk of him moving to City is bad news for other Premier League challengers, and a move to England would greatly shift the power towards whoever were to obtain him. If Milan do keep him, they could be competitive in Europe next year.
Barcelona's latest triumph came as a formality, as their dominant season stands alone in Spain. With all the controversy surrounding the squad, all they do is get results, and with La Liga wrapped up, they can focus squarely on the Champions League final against Manchester United. With Barcelona, you can't really think of a player they could add to the squad; that is how complete and superior their players are as a unit. Perhaps a better outside left back? The team has a scary amount of talent, and anything other than a double for the Catalans would be surprising.
The last note I'd like to touch on this week is City's clinching of a spot in the Champions League. City is the new Chelsea, with huge spending and a quick leash for success, and now they have reached the point they would like to be at. Mancini has said they will spend more, and if they do so, they will surely challenge for the title next season. For Tottenham, it is a complete turnaround, as now their hopes of playing in Europe at all are in doubt. If this team is to remain in the top half, they must keep Modric and Bale, which will be very tough to do with the offers and money that will be thrown their way. If they do, an improved Liverpool and a domestically focused Tottenham will add to City, United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the chase for the title next year.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Preview of European Finals
This week's European games were absent of any sort of drama, with each of the four sides going through without much controversy. Manchester United will meet Barcelona in the Champions League final, after defeating Schalke 6-1 on aggregate. The Catalans took out Real Madrid 3-1. The Europa League final features two Portuguese sides, domestic champions FC Porto and Braga.
Manchester United's easy victory over Schalke, with almost a second-string side, marked the squad's depth and overall quality. While resting many of their starters, United was able to defeat a hapless Schalke 4-1 to finish the tie. Barcelona also went through cleanly, despite a Real goal being wrongly disallowed, with a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp. The tie is a rematch of the 2009 final, where goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi gave Barcelona a comfortable 2-0 victory. This year's final features many of the same players, but you have to feel as if Barcelona have improved, and Manchester United have taken a step back. If United do win the Premier League this year, it will be with one of the lowest point totals for a champion in Premier League history. They have been in good form of late, and Rooney is always dangerous, but without Ronaldo, this team does not have the tantalizing nature that it did in 2008 and 2009. Their record away from home is also pedestrian, and while they have impressed in Europe, they have not faced an opponent anything like Barcelona. The one team in England who plays the closest style of football is Arsenal, who defeated Manchester United 1-0 last weekend. Meanwhile, Barcelona has seen many of their current players win the Champions League, World Cup, and La Liga titles. The addition of David Villa provides another dimension for United's back four to worry about. The midfield battle will be key in this matchup, as United must prevent Barcelona's midfield from imposing itself on the game. This game will likely be dominated possession-wise by the Spaniards, and United will have to take the chances they get to have a real hope. Unless they perform exceptionally well in front of goal, United will likely succumb to Barcelona for the second time in three years. I haven't even needed to go into Lionel Messi and his fifty-four goals this season. A 2-0 or 3-1 scoreline looks likeliest here. It should be an exciting game though, and you never know for sure in a European final.
The Europa League final features the current Portuguese champions, FC Porto, and Sporting Braga. Braga have not won silverware in forty-five years, while Porto are always in the mix domestically and in Europe. Porto will be huge favorites here, boasting an unbeaten domestic record and the competition's leading scorer, Falcao. Braga will be hoping to hit Porto on the break, as their stellar defensive record in the competition shows. It's difficult to see anything but a comfortable Porto win here. Porto defeated Braga 3-2 at home and 2-0 away in the league this season, and boast the experience to win the final. A 2-0 or 3-0 victory for Porto is a strong possibility.
Sunday is the game of my season, when Chelsea head up to Manchester to face United, needing a win to take first place on goal difference. Anyone who would like to join me in watching (and root for Chelsea) is welcome to do so! Recap of the weekend on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United's easy victory over Schalke, with almost a second-string side, marked the squad's depth and overall quality. While resting many of their starters, United was able to defeat a hapless Schalke 4-1 to finish the tie. Barcelona also went through cleanly, despite a Real goal being wrongly disallowed, with a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp. The tie is a rematch of the 2009 final, where goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi gave Barcelona a comfortable 2-0 victory. This year's final features many of the same players, but you have to feel as if Barcelona have improved, and Manchester United have taken a step back. If United do win the Premier League this year, it will be with one of the lowest point totals for a champion in Premier League history. They have been in good form of late, and Rooney is always dangerous, but without Ronaldo, this team does not have the tantalizing nature that it did in 2008 and 2009. Their record away from home is also pedestrian, and while they have impressed in Europe, they have not faced an opponent anything like Barcelona. The one team in England who plays the closest style of football is Arsenal, who defeated Manchester United 1-0 last weekend. Meanwhile, Barcelona has seen many of their current players win the Champions League, World Cup, and La Liga titles. The addition of David Villa provides another dimension for United's back four to worry about. The midfield battle will be key in this matchup, as United must prevent Barcelona's midfield from imposing itself on the game. This game will likely be dominated possession-wise by the Spaniards, and United will have to take the chances they get to have a real hope. Unless they perform exceptionally well in front of goal, United will likely succumb to Barcelona for the second time in three years. I haven't even needed to go into Lionel Messi and his fifty-four goals this season. A 2-0 or 3-1 scoreline looks likeliest here. It should be an exciting game though, and you never know for sure in a European final.
The Europa League final features the current Portuguese champions, FC Porto, and Sporting Braga. Braga have not won silverware in forty-five years, while Porto are always in the mix domestically and in Europe. Porto will be huge favorites here, boasting an unbeaten domestic record and the competition's leading scorer, Falcao. Braga will be hoping to hit Porto on the break, as their stellar defensive record in the competition shows. It's difficult to see anything but a comfortable Porto win here. Porto defeated Braga 3-2 at home and 2-0 away in the league this season, and boast the experience to win the final. A 2-0 or 3-0 victory for Porto is a strong possibility.
Sunday is the game of my season, when Chelsea head up to Manchester to face United, needing a win to take first place on goal difference. Anyone who would like to join me in watching (and root for Chelsea) is welcome to do so! Recap of the weekend on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Destiny Awaits
Destiny awaits Chelsea and Manchester United next week at Old Trafford as Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Tottenham coupled with Man U’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal has closed the gap to three points. In essence, it is a redo for Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea for their loss in the Champions League, as they also need a win next weekend. The bottom of the table also featured some key results which set up an exciting finish to the season.
Chelsea’s win was battered by controversy, the first goal clearly not crossing the line. The second goal was very close, and it is difficult to tell whether Kalou was in an offside position. Regardless, it is a win for Chelsea and one that they desperately needed. It was an entertaining game, well-played by both sides, but the highlight was Sandro’s half-volley from over thirty yards out. If you have not seen it, watch it here. What a goal.
Manchester United’s performance against Arsenal showed why they are not further ahead in this race: they lack consistent attacking creativity. I believed Arsenal would win this game not only for my Blues, but because of Man U’s woeful road record, and also Arsenal’s need to prove themselves. It is of little consequence for the Gunners, as they would need a miraculous set of results to win the title, but at the very least, a victory over their rivals instills confidence for next year’s play. What happened for the Red Devils? Perhaps the trip to Germany in mid-week took its toll, because they were slow and rarely threatened the goal.
Next week’s game brings the opportunity all Chelsea fans were praying for. It will be interesting to see how Sir Alex picks his side, as Man U really only need a draw. With their final two fixtures at strugglers Blackburn and home to Blackpool, a draw against Chelsea would make the title almost a given. For Chelsea, Ancelotti has to start Drogba up top with either Anelka or Kalou, and bring Torres off the bench. Torres has improved in recent weeks, but he must trust Drogba up top, as he gives Vidic and Ferdinand fits in the heart of the defense. Torres’ start in the Champions League did not help Chelsea’s cause, and Ancelotti would be wise to stick to his proven formula. I cannot wait, it should be a great match. Nothing like El Fiasco at least. The game is May 8, at 11 AM on FSN.
At the bottom of the table, the most important result came in Blackburn’s 1-0 win over Bolton. The relegation battle is now the bottom four fighting for 17th place, as it is hard to imagine the others being dragged back into it. Which of the four (Blackpool, Wigan, Wolves, West Ham) comes out is firmly in question. Blackpool are in the poorest form and have the toughest fixtures, but none of the other sides have shown any sort of conviction in releasing themselves from the scrap. While this Premier League season will be remembered for its lack of dominance at the top and its overall balance, these four squads have been pathetic enough that they all deserve to be relegated. I hope that either Wigan or Blackpool will stay, and if I had to bet on one, I would say Wigan. Wolves have the easiest fixtures but are in no sort of form without Kevin Doyle, and Wigan are playing better than the others (yikes). That will come down to the end as well, making all the races of the Premier League exciting to the finish.
Check in Wednesday for a recap of the Champions League second-legs between Manchester United-Schalke and Barcelona-Real Madrid.
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