UCL Final: Manchester United (p) 1-1 Chelsea [21.5.2008]

[kyan]

Right, let's get the pre-match discussion underway.

No injury worries for either team apparently, both Drogba and Terry seem to have recovered, while even Saha is fit for United (and could play in what will probably be his last game for the club) but his presence is a huge boost in that it's a different option that we might need.

I expect the 4-5-1:

---------------------VDS--------------------
Brown----Ferdinand-----Vidic------Evra
----Hargreaves--Carrick--Scholes------
Ronaldo-----------------------------Giggs
-------------------Rooney------------------

Although the front 3 could just as easily be Ronaldo through the middle and Rooney on the right.

Ferguson says the subs were his hardest choice, and I'd agree tbh. It's difficult picking 6 from: Silvestre, Pique, O'Shea, Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Park, Tevez & Saha.

If it were up to me, I'd probably leave out Pique, O'Shea and Fletcher .

But I don't think Ferguson'll do that, I think Anderson might miss out, which I think would be a real shame considering the role he's played this season, and perhaps Nani, just because he was poor v Chelsea last time and got himself sent off last time he played. The third would probably be a defender, probably Pique.

The referee will be Lubos Michel, who's given 19 yellow cards and 2 reds this season in 4 matches in the Champions League:

Goal.com - Champions League - Lubos Michel Will Referee CL Final


There's a lot of noise of revenge and being up for it coming from the Chelsea camp but United need to ignore it and just focus, this could make a great season into an unforgettable one. I'm nervous already, exams scattered around the match, but it's obviously unmissable.

COME ON UNITED.

[jlae11]

my bench would be: silvestre, park, tevez, anderson, and fletcher

i agree with your lineup... i would like to see park on from the start, but i cant see saf leaving giggsy out... so im in agreement with you there.

as for your formation, i might be slightly in disagreement... i think it will look a little more like a 4411 w/ hargreaves coming off the right (giggs on the left). i would like to see ronaldo coming thru the middle behind rooney. ronaldo has always had trouble with a.cole, so i can see ferguson keeping him away, allowing him to play in the hole behind rooney.

[kyan]

Congratulations UEFA, as well as being unable to foresee the visa issues with holding the final in Russia, they didn't realise an artificial pitch may not be the best for the occasion either and it may come back to bite them in the arse:

BBC SPORT | Football | Moscow pitch causes final concern

As for the United bench, I'd personally take:

Kuszczak, Silvestre, Fletcher, Anderson, Park, Tevez, Saha.

I think that's the best choice because each player would provide something completely different from every other player on the bench, you could argue O'Shea instead of either Silvestre or Fletcher but I think Silvestre is better in defence and Fletch is better in midfield, or Nani instead of Park but Park is in better form and has earned his spot in the squad, maybe even perhaps the starting line-up.

[russe||]

I expect it to be:

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

Subs:
Kuszczak, O'Shea, Silvestre, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Tevez

[Olzy]

The crappy pitch will favour Chelsea's long ball game to Drobga

[Sven]

The occasion will favour Drogba even more.

[skeeta]

Tactics are irrevelant if we do not select our clutch performers. We have to aim to force Chelsea into mistakes and attempt to control the atmosphere and pace of the game, we have to be proactive. This only appeals to the players in our squad that have a high level of self-confidence, technique and talent.

Its a strong possibilty that one of the teams will freeze, under the pressure and scrutiny. So Fergie better not neutralise our attacking players, because of yet another, uber-defensive ploys he loves to adopt on the big stage.

[Olzy]

Fergie will go defensive I reckon.

[dukeofdavinci]

wooo wait a min i hear they are having new grass and all, so how is it crappy??

any way my line up is similar wth whats posted and same for the bench.anderson will be on my bench and nani will be left as i dont see him yet to mature enough to handle this kind of game.

neville has traveled along but i doubt he even will make the bench and so to saha.since all of us are in same view on fergie going solo up top wth rooney so better give tevez the bench then saha.

another note, who should be taking the free kics?imo if owen starts he should go for the close ranged ones and if he doesnt start im not so sure if ronaldo should go for it.

one thing for sure, all the strategies, formations will surely wont count much in this game against the blues.it will boil down to the one wth less error and more determination to win.and we need to be on top of it.and if we are to head for penalty's, who will be the other 4 to take it????

well another +/-48 hrs for the big match.come on you reds!!

[russe||]

This thread is missing a few things:





UNITED!

[dukeofdavinci]

nice one russelllets hope come this wednesday night u can add a 3rd pic to it

but lets not get to carried away though

[Olzy]

alot of people making Chelsea favourites.

[jlae11]

ive got united... 2-1 in extra time, ROONEY with the winner!!!!!!!

GO ON UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kyan]

The teams have been announced!

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez. Subs: Kuszczak, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, O'Shea, Fletcher, Silvestre.

I've got to say I'm really really surprised Park isn't even on the bench, gotta feel for him.

And I'm a bit surprised at Saha's absence, less sympathy there but he would have been a good option...

But SAF must know what he's doing, I can't believe he's gone 4-4-2, good on him! Taking the game to Chelsea, brilliant...

Chelsea's team:

Cech, Essien, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, J Cole, Drogba. Subs: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Mikel, Kalou, Alex, Belletti, Anelka.

It's their strongest team as well, should be a great game.

Bricking it right now, so nervous, just 45mins till game time.

[usamu]

Shocked Park didn't even make the squad. He's been massive for us in Europe and we've yet to lose this season when he's played.