If you were to draw up a dream match in world club football for May 2009, Manchester United v. FC Barcelona probably comes pretty near top of the list. Hell, that's probably the matchup that populates over 90 percent of online games in 'FIFA 09', which is as good an indicator as you might find.
Simply, you're getting two of the world's biggest clubs in the biggest game of the season.
More than that, though, these two clubs seem to represent something. For Americans, even those who wouldn't know Sir Alex Ferguson from Joe Ferguson -- the local plumber -- they know Manchester United, or ManU. The Red Devils are the proto-super club with fan clubs from Seattle to Singapore. They're a big deal.
On the other side, Barcelona are well known, too. Yet their fame has a different tone worldwide. Barcelona seem to represent an idea as much as they do a football club and they aren't owned by a crew of American leprechauns, instead by the supporters themselves. You'll see people with an FCB shirt, who'd scoff at the very notion of sports in general. Consider Barcelona a secret, or not so secret, hipster devotion. (Or as the Guardian pointed out, Manchester United's shirt is sponsored by AIG, while Barca's is UNICEF.)
Beyond that, you have the champions of England and Spain -- the two contrasting styles of the modern game. You have the frantic, physical play of the Premier League against the skill and savvy of the Spanish game.
Throw in the individual battle betwixt Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and you have just about everything you could possibly want in a sporting event.
So with all this said, it might be lame or corny to say this, but as a neutral I'm simply hoping for a match that can live up to the pre-match pedigree.
It's doubtful Manchester United plays negatively like Chelsea did in the first semifinal leg against Barcelona. It'll be conservative, yes, but there's no way Manchester United hunkers down in a final.
Nor do I think Barcelona is going to turn this into a foul-fest on Ronaldo & Co., because why would it want to turn it into a tit-for-tat scenario?
In the end, you don't often get this 'dream' scenarios playing. Let's just hope it lives up to the game we've already dreamed up in our minds.
Couple other thoughts:
* With all the pre-match talk about Ronaldo and Messi, wouldn't it be appropriate neither is that big a factor.
* Doesn't this seem like the perfect match to justify the purchase of Dmitar Berbatov? Or, more likely, Carlos Tevez to snatch a late winner.
* If Barcelona wins, it caps a pretty dominant 12 months for Spain, started by Spain's win of Euro 2008.
* Isn't it weird that there are so many great Spanish goalkeepers, yet Barcelona sticks with Victor Valdes, whom never seems to impress.
* Thierry Henry -- if healthy -- vs. Manchester United. Delightful.
* This game might be a lot like ping pong, yes ping pong. Whoever controls the spin (or pace) on the ball, will likely win the match.
* Hopefully there are no knife fights and or stabbing in the Stadio Olimpico.
One other thing:
* Don't forget, this will be the last Champions League match broadcast by ESPN for the next couple years, at least. Unlike some of its other soccer endeavors, the 'Worldwide' did a fairly competent job with the UCL. I, for one, won't however miss the attempts at gravitas from Derek Rae and the inane commentary from Tommy Symth who's act felt tired five years ago.
The ball is in the court of Fox. Let's see what happens. Wonder if they'll continue the Ryan Giggs man-love?
Score guess: Manchester United 1, Barcelona 1 (United win in penalties)
Simply, you're getting two of the world's biggest clubs in the biggest game of the season.
More than that, though, these two clubs seem to represent something. For Americans, even those who wouldn't know Sir Alex Ferguson from Joe Ferguson -- the local plumber -- they know Manchester United, or ManU. The Red Devils are the proto-super club with fan clubs from Seattle to Singapore. They're a big deal.
On the other side, Barcelona are well known, too. Yet their fame has a different tone worldwide. Barcelona seem to represent an idea as much as they do a football club and they aren't owned by a crew of American leprechauns, instead by the supporters themselves. You'll see people with an FCB shirt, who'd scoff at the very notion of sports in general. Consider Barcelona a secret, or not so secret, hipster devotion. (Or as the Guardian pointed out, Manchester United's shirt is sponsored by AIG, while Barca's is UNICEF.)
Beyond that, you have the champions of England and Spain -- the two contrasting styles of the modern game. You have the frantic, physical play of the Premier League against the skill and savvy of the Spanish game.
Throw in the individual battle betwixt Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and you have just about everything you could possibly want in a sporting event.
So with all this said, it might be lame or corny to say this, but as a neutral I'm simply hoping for a match that can live up to the pre-match pedigree.
It's doubtful Manchester United plays negatively like Chelsea did in the first semifinal leg against Barcelona. It'll be conservative, yes, but there's no way Manchester United hunkers down in a final.
Nor do I think Barcelona is going to turn this into a foul-fest on Ronaldo & Co., because why would it want to turn it into a tit-for-tat scenario?
In the end, you don't often get this 'dream' scenarios playing. Let's just hope it lives up to the game we've already dreamed up in our minds.
Couple other thoughts:
* With all the pre-match talk about Ronaldo and Messi, wouldn't it be appropriate neither is that big a factor.
* Doesn't this seem like the perfect match to justify the purchase of Dmitar Berbatov? Or, more likely, Carlos Tevez to snatch a late winner.
* If Barcelona wins, it caps a pretty dominant 12 months for Spain, started by Spain's win of Euro 2008.
* Isn't it weird that there are so many great Spanish goalkeepers, yet Barcelona sticks with Victor Valdes, whom never seems to impress.
* Thierry Henry -- if healthy -- vs. Manchester United. Delightful.
* This game might be a lot like ping pong, yes ping pong. Whoever controls the spin (or pace) on the ball, will likely win the match.
* Hopefully there are no knife fights and or stabbing in the Stadio Olimpico.
One other thing:
* Don't forget, this will be the last Champions League match broadcast by ESPN for the next couple years, at least. Unlike some of its other soccer endeavors, the 'Worldwide' did a fairly competent job with the UCL. I, for one, won't however miss the attempts at gravitas from Derek Rae and the inane commentary from Tommy Symth who's act felt tired five years ago.
The ball is in the court of Fox. Let's see what happens. Wonder if they'll continue the Ryan Giggs man-love?
Score guess: Manchester United 1, Barcelona 1 (United win in penalties)
Labels: barcelona, champions league, manchester United, Soccer
Much as I loathe Manchester United, I'll say the game goes to them 3-2.