UEFA Champions League Final 2011:Barcelona v Man United Live Preview, Odds, Messi, Giggs
Posted: Friday, May 27, 2011
by Julian Price
http://www.uk-freelance-content-writer.co.uk/
Champions League Final 2011 official line ups and team news: Man United: Van der Sar, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Fabio, Giggs, Carrick, Park, Valencia, Rooney, Hernandez. Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa.
Subs: Man United: Kuszczak, Smalling, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Owen.
Perhaps the most interesting team news is the total absence of Dimitar Berbatov...he's not even a sub! Interesting! (Updated 28.05.11)
Champions League Final May 28th2011: Barcelona V Manchester United at Wembley Stadium: Once of the most anticipated football matches of the year is upon us as the champions from Spain take on the Champions of England at the home of football, Wembley.
It’s a repeat of the 2009 final when Barcelona were comfortable 2-0 victors, and with the Catalan giants in many eyes, the best team in the world at present, United have it all to do in order to reverse the fortunes of 2 years ago.
Some bookmakers have Barcelona starting as even money favourites, whilst you can currently get around 11/4 for a Man United win, with a draw over 90 minutes at 5/2.
Both teams won their respective leagues relatively comfortably. Barcelona had a 4 point margin between them and closest rivals Real Madrid, whilst a topsy-turvy season in England saw United eventually amass a 9 point difference between themselves and Chelsea and Manchester City (who were only separated by goal difference).
The soccer talent on show will be staggering with arguably the best player in the world in Lionel Messi once more hoping to weave his magic on the big stage, as he did 2 years ago in Rome. Barcelona has a whole list of match winners besides Messi, with David Villa, Xavi, Iniesta all capable of turning a match in an instant.
Man United can no longer call upon Cristiano Ronaldo as they did in the finals of 2008 and 2009 but there is still Wayne Rooney and exciting newcomer Javier Hernandez along with players such as Nani and Antonio Valencia. However, it has been a season of controversy at Old Trafford with the Rooney transfer saga earlier in the season, followed by a storm of publicity surrounding Ryan Giggs private life in recent days.
Giggs, often regarded as the “Welsh Wizard” will be appearing (if selected) in his fourth Champions League final, with 2 winner’s medals already to his name but at 37 surely this will be his last chance for European glory?
Perhaps the main battle of wits will come from the dugout and two men at the opposite ends of their careers. Both hugely successful, will it be the experienced and wiley Sir Alex Ferguson or the comparitvely youthful Pep Guardiola who emerges victorious?
So, the scene is set, Barcelona are favourites but who will be crowned Champions League Winners 2011?
Possible Starting Line ups:
Man United: Van der Sar, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Fabio, Giggs, Carrick, Park, Valencia, Rooney, Hernandez
Barcelona: Valdes, Pique, Alves, Abidal, Maxwell, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Villa, Messi, Pedro
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