UCL: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United [23.4.2008]

[jlae11]

cronaldo... i usually think your posts are worthless (sorry...), BUT that post is an extremely good point there... well done.

but, as it has been stated, united has the defensive ability to cope with the barca attack. it is barca that needs to be worried... they have no ability to deal with the united counter

for this tie... i would probably say a 1-1 draw at nou camp... 2-1 at OT... united moves on to face liverpool in the final

[Olzy]

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has declared next week's Champions League showdown with Barcelona as the most important game of his life.

The Brazil international, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Sunday, has grown in confidence and stature as the season has progressed following last summer's move from Porto.

Anderson has become an integral member of boss Sir Alex Ferguson's side, notably starting all of the Champions League knock-out ties against Lyon and Roma over the past few weeks.

But the first leg of the semi-final against Barca at the Nou Camp next Wednesday represents another significant step forward for the rising young star.

"It is like a final for me," assessed Anderson.

"Playing against Barcelona is the most important game of my life - it is like the final of the Champions League.

"In fact, I think it is a sort of final as we are the two teams with the best record in this season's competition."

There are those who have compared Anderson to Barcelona and Brazil great Ronaldinho, who will unfortunately not figure next week due to injury.

Although both come from Porto Alegre and started their careers at Gremio, Anderson shies away from such a comparison.

"For me he will always be a true great, but you cannot compare him with me," insisted Anderson.

"He has done everything in football and I've done almost nothing. I am just starting, but I am proud that people see similar things in us."

Anderson concedes settling into life at United has been made far easier than he imagined due to the support he has received.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Anderson describes as "a special player" have both played a significant role in his adaptation to the Premier League.

"I joined Manchester United straight after playing in the Copa America with Brazil and the contrast was difficult, but that is normal. It was the same when I went to Porto," he added.

"Cristiano Ronaldo has helped me a lot to adapt and other players, like (Patrice) Evra, (Michael) Carrick, (Wes) Brown and (Gerard) Piqué have all made life easier.

"We have a great squad, and the one difference is that you work a lot more here.

"I have never worked so hard before as the training sessions are very tough. You have to think about football 24 hours a day."

Reserving praise for Ferguson, Anderson noted: "For me he is the best, a special person.

"From time to time he can appear distant, but he knows everything about the team, and he really likes to work with the youngsters.

"Look at what he did with David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and now Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It is a real honour to work with a coach like him."

[kyan]

Barcelona failed to win yet again in a 0-0 draw with city rivals Espanyol, 1 win in 8 league matches.

Marquez came on for Puyol at one point which probably suggests it'll be him who starts at CB on Wednesday and Messi got 45mins.

I expect United to start with:

----------------------VDS---------------------
Brown-----Ferdinand------Vidic-----Evra
-----Scholes----Carrick----Anderson-----
Park---------------------------------Rooney
-------------------Ronaldo-------------------

[dukeofdavinci]

just a thought though, lets say(hope not) rooney doesnt make it,will fergie start tevez alone??

[Sven]

Really looking forward to seeing Messi back in action, a player who will most likly take Ronaldo new found title.

depends how fit he will be.

[c.ronaldo#1]

People say Man Ut's defence is great but the only team in the Prem with a style close to Barcas is Arsenals and they gave them alot of trouble in both games and really should have won the game at Old Trafford. Their superior passing gave Man Utd alot of problems.

Barca pass the ball faster and have better movement as a team then anything they play against in the Premiership. Barca will give Man U's defence alot of problems.I expect Barca to win tomorow night, then i expect them to lose at OT.

[c.ronaldo#1]

Originally Posted by Sven

Really looking forward to seeing Messi back in action, a player who will most likly take Ronaldo new found title.

depends how fit he will be.

I know he won't get much attention from the media but Evra might be the most important player for Man U in this semi final. Stopping Messi spoon feeding E'to would be my biggest concern. I expect Hargreaves to play to the left so he can help out Evra.

[kyan]

Originally Posted by c.ronaldo#1

People say Man Ut's defence is great but the only team in the Prem with a style close to Barcas is Arsenals and they gave them alot of trouble in both games and really should have won the game at Old Trafford. Their superior passing gave Man Utd alot of problems.

Barca pass the ball faster and have better movement as a team then anything they play against in the Premiership. Barca will give Man U's defence alot of problems.I expect Barca to win tomorow night, then i expect them to lose at OT.

If Barcelona are so good at passing and moving why have they won one of their last 8 matches?

They were lucky to get past Schalke, anyone who saw any of that game could tell that.

Of course Barcelona stand a good chance of winning tomorrow night because it's a one-off in a knock-out competition which they might get themselves up for, and because they undeniably have fantastic players who on their night could be one of the best in the world, but to try and claim Barcelona's style is superior to Man United's at present is simply laughable.

And how do Arsenal play like Barcelona? The systems are COMPLETELY different, and the Arsenal defence is much more organised. And even if Arsenal "deserved" to win, they didn't. And you're ignoring that in the last 3 matches against Arsenal Man United have still managed to score 8...

And how many of Spain's attacks consist of players of the calibre of Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani? And yet Barcelona still leak so many goals against much weaker attacks, who knows what they'll do when they face that without Puyol...

[kyan]

Barcelona v Man Utd

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is fit after a groin strain and is in line to play for Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final, first leg.

Wayne Rooney looks to have overcome the hip injury he sustained on Saturday, while Owen Hargreaves and Anderson have both recovered from minor injuries.

Gary Neville and Darren Fletcher have also been named in the squad.

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry was unable to take part in training on Monday morning because of illness.

The France international, who was an unused substitute in Saturday's goalless league draw against Espanyol, was suffering from a fever.

Ronaldinho, Lilian Thuram, Jose Edmilson and back-up goalkeeper Albert Jorquera also missed training, while captain Carlos Puyol will miss out through suspension.

Mexican defender Rafael Marquez has been suffering from bruising and inflammation in his right foot but is expected to be able partner Gabriel Milito in the centre of defence.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Ronaldo, Anderson, Rooney, Giggs, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Pique, O'Shea, Fletcher, Silvestre, Kuszczak, Tevez, Heaton, Welbeck.

BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Barcelona v Man Utd

Good to see everyone back for the end of the season, also encouraging from our point of view that their defence is suffering problems with Thuram missing training and Marquez's foot in a bit of bother.

[dukeofdavinci]

rooneys in, now lets leave the rest to the great night, also any one making the trip to ot???what scarf best for that match??been hearing that the club is organizing a big event.

[Sven]

I can see you beating Barce not by flair but by pure grit with Vidic header or something.

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by Sven

I can see you beating Barce not by flair but by pure grit with Vidic header or something.

Quite, that's the one thing Utd have that Barca don't. Outside of a superior sense of purpose and togetherness, and often those count for little in these games, everyone comes together.

Set pieces should be a big weapon for Utd.

[jlae11]

Originally Posted by hanuma

Quite, that's the one thing Utd have that Barca don't. Outside of a superior sense of purpose and togetherness, and often those count for little in these games, everyone comes together.

Set pieces should be a big weapon for Utd.

excellent post... the first part is definitely barca's weakness... they dont really play with a purpose going forward. its almost as looking pretty is more important to them than being effective...

as for the second statement... thats why im hoping that hargreaves, ronaldo, and nani all start. nani's crossing ability from set pieces is second to none really... im hoping he can get one to vidic's head for the big serb to put away!!! hargreaves and ronaldo are both outstanding from free kicks... united set pieces are dangerous from anywhere inside 35 yards with those two

im starting to get nervous after watching the game from yesterday which saw chelsea gain the advantage despite absolutely being dominated for about 90%of the match. i still think united are the better team...

heres what i think united will start with:
vds
brown vida rio evra
hargreaves carrick anderson
park/nani ronaldo rooney (w/ ronaldo playing thru the center probably)

EDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!: just read that vidic could be out with a stomach bug... pique just may get his shot!!!!!

[c.ronaldo#1]

Originally Posted by kyan

If Barcelona are so good at passing and moving why have they won one of their last 8 matches?

They were lucky to get past Schalke, anyone who saw any of that game could tell that.

Of course Barcelona stand a good chance of winning tomorrow night because it's a one-off in a knock-out competition which they might get themselves up for, and because they undeniably have fantastic players who on their night could be one of the best in the world, but to try and claim Barcelona's style is superior to Man United's at present is simply laughable.

And how do Arsenal play like Barcelona? The systems are COMPLETELY different, and the Arsenal defence is much more organised. And even if Arsenal "deserved" to win, they didn't. And you're ignoring that in the last 3 matches against Arsenal Man United have still managed to score 8...

And how many of Spain's attacks consist of players of the calibre of Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani? And yet Barcelona still leak so many goals against much weaker attacks, who knows what they'll do when they face that without Puyol...

Sure they have different systems but they are similar in the way they pass the ball. Neither team puts crosses into the box they try to pass through teams to create scoring opportunities. Thats how they play like Barca. Not to mention Barca are a better passing team then Arsenal are. If you watch any Barca game they always pass the ball better then their opponents. The reason they havn't won them games is because of poor finishing. If you watched the games you would know this.

Who said there style is superior to Man U's. Now your just making things up. I didn't type that.

I said they have a style that gives Man U problems. Man U always struggle against teams that keep the ball better then them. They also haven't played a team in the Prem this year that will leave 3 strikers up front all game at Old Trafford.

I agree that Man U's attack will give Barca alot of trouble if they can get enough of the ball to do it.

[Trim]

2nd min.. Penalty for Man Utd!