Barcelona Fc Vs. Manchester United

[HiyaVata]

Vs.


When it comes to big names and big match ups, they don't come any bigger than this. Last nights game was expected to be somewhat "boring" as always these games are between two English teams in foreign competitions. I have to say they perform much better when it comes to their domestic match ups.
Today should be a bit more interesting. I'm more interested in how the teams will cope with pressure and rumors within them selves.

Thierry Henry spent eight years with United's Premier League rivals Arsenal, and scored nine goals in 18 appearances against the Red Devils. The last of those was a 90th-minute winner when the Gunners came from behind to beat United 2-1 at the Emirates in London in January 2007. Henry was also in the AS Monaco team that beat United on away goals in the Champions League quarter-finals in 1997-98.
Henry said of Wednesday's opponents: "At the moment, they're flying, but you never know in football. Hopefully, they will have a bad day when we play them. You know how it is in the Champions League - one bad day and you're gone.''
Should Henry's recent illness restrict his involvement, there is always Samuel Eto'o - who scored both Barca's goals in the 2-2 draw against Recreativo on 12th April, his 13th and 14th League goals on only his 14th appearance this season.

Rijkaard warning
Blaugrana coach Frank Rijkaard said: "I regard statistics as dry statistics and nothing else, but it is true that if you aspire to win at the top level then you absolutely must win your home games." Of the visitors, he added: "United present an interesting test because they play the English style domestically, and very well too, but they have top footballers who are capable of adapting to the different demands of European competition."

Carles Puyol is suspended but Lionel Messi is back from a hamstring injury ahead of schedule; Rafael Márquez and Andrés Iniesta, who have struggled with foot and knee problems in recent weeks, should also start. Thierry Henry's high temperature has dropped and, if unlikely to begin the match after missing two training sessions, he is available for selection.

Hold possession
Sir Alex directly links the lesson he learned when Barcelona beat United 4-0 in the 1994/95 group stage to the ascendancy of his current team in Europe. "That night we were taught precisely how important it is to have the ball and to keep possession of the ball," admitted the Scot. "Against [AS] Roma [in the quarter-final first leg] in Italy we were excellent at keeping the ball and that was important. We have learned well."

But no one should doubt United's commitment to attack their hosts with verve and intent. "This would have been the most attractive final because these two great clubs share a belief about how to play football. The Premier League has improved in quality and intensity recently but top-level games like this are won with nous and technical ability." Wayne Rooney has recovered from a bruised hip and is likely to play together with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ji-Sung Park.

PREDICTION

2:1

[naliha]

Hi HiyaVata,

Anyway, Do you recommend "Over 2.5" with a high stake?

[Ledi17]

HiyaVata you are wrong about Barcelona to win, it cant happen... Anyway Good Luck even that i have bet Manchester United to win (Draw no bet) with high stakes. Good Luck!!!

[HiyaVata]

U know why I'm sticking to Barca. Spanish football is just more superior head to head against the english game.

[HiyaVata]

Originally Posted by naliha

Hi HiyaVata,

Anyway, Do you recommend "Over 2.5" with a high stake?

Not high stake, but yes, I'd go for over

[Behemoth]

Promasi Ronaldo penal.
Ne moz da prodje ovo polufinale a da se ne desavaju gluposti...

[HiyaVata]

Ma da....a sad zamisli onoliko ljudi koji su igrali da Manchester prvi da gol ! Pa da mu jebu majku milu

[Behemoth]

Isto gomila ljudi igra Ronalda prvog strelca, to je zadovoljno trljanje rukama dok ovaj namesta loptu, a onda cupanje kose i psovanje svega zivog i mrtvog posle penala

E brate da te pitam, aj mi kazi gde i kako se to ljudi klade online, daj neke linkove i to, posto ide trka Formule 1, pa da pogledam duele, da im ne pisem za ovo sto ima po nasim kladionicama...

[HiyaVata]

21 shots to Man. Uniteds 6. Not to mention Ball possesion. Clearly i was right about the Spanish game dominating the english.
I will point out though that both "managers" played a bad game today. I was surprised to see Ferguson's formation. 4 attackers and yet 3 were almost 80% of the time in their own half!!?!? wtf was that? And Rajkard taking off Messi and playing Henry in the last minutes?! If you have someone like Henry fit to play then play him the full half! Why Messi was subed by Krkic is beyond me... u dont put a player like that against a back line of players such as Ferdinand, Brown and Hergrives. Messi was making all the right plays but Eto the moron couldn't score once!

A lot needs to be changed in both teams if they want to avoid a penalty shoot out