Man Utd vs Barcelona, Champions League Final 08/09

The Professor wrote:

kas wrote:Also, I don't think our "poor" defense will be as big a factor as everyone is making out. For all the criticism it gets and the talk about how they'll be outclassed, they only conceded 2 long range goals (at least one of which is totally undefendable) in 4 games against Man. Utd and Chelsea in the past 2 seasons.

When the team is concentrated, the front 3 are working hard (and this is where my worry kicks in about Henry and Iniesta starting, will they be matchfit enough to press from minute 1? ) and the ball is sticking to the midfielders' feet, that does the defending for us.

Of course there's a risk of individual mistakes like when Liverpool won 2-1 at Camp Nou, and more so with Sylvinho around (Keita again said he doesn't want to play LB ), but basically what I'm trying to say is: people look at the individuals and make the defense out to be worse than it actually is, because they don't realise that Barcelona use a "defending from the front" style, where the entire team is involved.

You need a world class DM in there, because with him all your attacking players + CM would only have to concentrate on what they do best ie manipulate the ball and weave their magic in the final 3rd.

The Professor wrote:

Jaime wrote:

The Professor wrote:

kas wrote:Also, I don't think our "poor" defense will be as big a factor as everyone is making out. For all the criticism it gets and the talk about how they'll be outclassed, they only conceded 2 long range goals (at least one of which is totally undefendable) in 4 games against Man. Utd and Chelsea in the past 2 seasons.

When the team is concentrated, the front 3 are working hard (and this is where my worry kicks in about Henry and Iniesta starting, will they be matchfit enough to press from minute 1? ) and the ball is sticking to the midfielders' feet, that does the defending for us.

Of course there's a risk of individual mistakes like when Liverpool won 2-1 at Camp Nou, and more so with Sylvinho around (Keita again said he doesn't want to play LB ), but basically what I'm trying to say is: people look at the individuals and make the defense out to be worse than it actually is, because they don't realise that Barcelona use a "defending from the front" style, where the entire team is involved.

You need a world class DM in there, because with him all your attacking players + CM would only have to concentrate on what they do best ie manipulate the ball and weave their magic in the final 3rd.

Yaya Toure is just about as good as they come.

He isn't a DM

Jaime wrote:Are you still trying the reverse psychology kas?

Ballack wrote:

Jaime wrote:Are you still trying the reverse psychology kas?

it's a barca-fan trait i believe

L-r d wrote:

The Professor wrote:

kas wrote:Also, I don't think our "poor" defense will be as big a factor as everyone is making out. For all the criticism it gets and the talk about how they'll be outclassed, they only conceded 2 long range goals (at least one of which is totally undefendable) in 4 games against Man. Utd and Chelsea in the past 2 seasons.

When the team is concentrated, the front 3 are working hard (and this is where my worry kicks in about Henry and Iniesta starting, will they be matchfit enough to press from minute 1? ) and the ball is sticking to the midfielders' feet, that does the defending for us.

Of course there's a risk of individual mistakes like when Liverpool won 2-1 at Camp Nou, and more so with Sylvinho around (Keita again said he doesn't want to play LB ), but basically what I'm trying to say is: people look at the individuals and make the defense out to be worse than it actually is, because they don't realise that Barcelona use a "defending from the front" style, where the entire team is involved.

You need a world class DM in there, because with him all your attacking players + CM would only have to concentrate on what they do best ie manipulate the ball and weave their magic in the final 3rd.

What is Yaya for most of the time dude? If they do lose it they get it back usually quick and then keep it for so long again. But Yaya is a big reason why they get it back so quick. I don't think you need a specialist DM, but your stubborness is bizarre on this issue. Because you definitely need players who can win the ball back. Carrick does that for us so well btw. Fletcher..Park..Anderson also. Not to mention Rooney.

Jaime wrote:

The Professor wrote:

Jaime wrote:

The Professor wrote:

kas wrote:Also, I don't think our "poor" defense will be as big a factor as everyone is making out. For all the criticism it gets and the talk about how they'll be outclassed, they only conceded 2 long range goals (at least one of which is totally undefendable) in 4 games against Man. Utd and Chelsea in the past 2 seasons.

When the team is concentrated, the front 3 are working hard (and this is where my worry kicks in about Henry and Iniesta starting, will they be matchfit enough to press from minute 1? ) and the ball is sticking to the midfielders' feet, that does the defending for us.

Of course there's a risk of individual mistakes like when Liverpool won 2-1 at Camp Nou, and more so with Sylvinho around (Keita again said he doesn't want to play LB ), but basically what I'm trying to say is: people look at the individuals and make the defense out to be worse than it actually is, because they don't realise that Barcelona use a "defending from the front" style, where the entire team is involved.

You need a world class DM in there, because with him all your attacking players + CM would only have to concentrate on what they do best ie manipulate the ball and weave their magic in the final 3rd.

Yaya Toure is just about as good as they come.

He isn't a DM

He most certainly is. Just because you can play a bit of football doesn't mean you can't be a DM.

The Professor wrote:

Jaime wrote:

The Professor wrote:

Jaime wrote:

The Professor wrote:

kas wrote:Also, I don't think our "poor" defense will be as big a factor as everyone is making out. For all the criticism it gets and the talk about how they'll be outclassed, they only conceded 2 long range goals (at least one of which is totally undefendable) in 4 games against Man. Utd and Chelsea in the past 2 seasons.

When the team is concentrated, the front 3 are working hard (and this is where my worry kicks in about Henry and Iniesta starting, will they be matchfit enough to press from minute 1? ) and the ball is sticking to the midfielders' feet, that does the defending for us.

Of course there's a risk of individual mistakes like when Liverpool won 2-1 at Camp Nou, and more so with Sylvinho around (Keita again said he doesn't want to play LB ), but basically what I'm trying to say is: people look at the individuals and make the defense out to be worse than it actually is, because they don't realise that Barcelona use a "defending from the front" style, where the entire team is involved.

You need a world class DM in there, because with him all your attacking players + CM would only have to concentrate on what they do best ie manipulate the ball and weave their magic in the final 3rd.

Yaya Toure is just about as good as they come.

He isn't a DM

He most certainly is. Just because you can play a bit of football doesn't mean you can't be a DM.

Did u see him play before joining Barca?

Jaime wrote:

The Professor wrote:

Jaime wrote:

The Professor wrote:

Jaime wrote:

The Professor wrote:

kas wrote:Also, I don't think our "poor" defense will be as big a factor as everyone is making out. For all the criticism it gets and the talk about how they'll be outclassed, they only conceded 2 long range goals (at least one of which is totally undefendable) in 4 games against Man. Utd and Chelsea in the past 2 seasons.

When the team is concentrated, the front 3 are working hard (and this is where my worry kicks in about Henry and Iniesta starting, will they be matchfit enough to press from minute 1? ) and the ball is sticking to the midfielders' feet, that does the defending for us.

Of course there's a risk of individual mistakes like when Liverpool won 2-1 at Camp Nou, and more so with Sylvinho around (Keita again said he doesn't want to play LB ), but basically what I'm trying to say is: people look at the individuals and make the defense out to be worse than it actually is, because they don't realise that Barcelona use a "defending from the front" style, where the entire team is involved.

You need a world class DM in there, because with him all your attacking players + CM would only have to concentrate on what they do best ie manipulate the ball and weave their magic in the final 3rd.

Yaya Toure is just about as good as they come.

He isn't a DM

He most certainly is. Just because you can play a bit of football doesn't mean you can't be a DM.

Did u see him play before joining Barca?

What does that have to do with anything? When Sergio Ramos was 6 he played as a forward. He is a right back now. Yaya Toure has been consistently played as DM for the last two season and he is fantastic in that role.

Super Laudrup wrote:Yaya is more of a central midfielder at least that is what I remember him as when he came to Spain. It just so happens he can play as a Dm aswell. Not sure what that means in the end though. So far he played the role as if it was perfectly natural to him. So you can call him a Dm or Cm but he can play both quite well so it really doesn't matter.

kas wrote:

Batman wrote:Is it fair to say that going into the final, there is more pressure on the Barca players to win the CL than Man Utd?

No, what would make you think that?

I think the league and cup double is very important in relieving the pressure on the players. Cruyff, Vilanova, Guardiola, Txiki, and some of the players have all stressed the importance of enjoying the night and playing without fear. And just like Reina said, IMO that is key. If the team "tightens up", like they did to begin with against Arsenal in 2006, then the attacking play will not be as fluent as it can.

Was there any doubt that Barca were not going to win the league and cup?

The league title was over when you beat Real 1-0.

I heard that in Spain some people are saying this is one of the best Barca sides ever, mainly down to them scoring 104 goals in the league, got Messi the best player in the world.

Last year they were under immense pressure to beat Man. Utd. and it showed. This year it's different.

The Professor wrote:

Super Laudrup wrote:Yaya is more of a central midfielder at least that is what I remember him as when he came to Spain. It just so happens he can play as a Dm aswell. Not sure what that means in the end though. So far he played the role as if it was perfectly natural to him. So you can call him a Dm or Cm but he can play both quite well so it really doesn't matter.

He's always been the more attacking CM anywhere he's played.

The Professor wrote:

Super Laudrup wrote:Yaya is more of a central midfielder at least that is what I remember him as when he came to Spain. It just so happens he can play as a Dm aswell. Not sure what that means in the end though. So far he played the role as if it was perfectly natural to him. So you can call him a Dm or Cm but he can play both quite well so it really doesn't matter.

He's always been the more attacking CM anywhere he's played.

Batman wrote:

kas wrote:

Batman wrote:Is it fair to say that going into the final, there is more pressure on the Barca players to win the CL than Man Utd?

No, what would make you think that?

I think the league and cup double is very important in relieving the pressure on the players. Cruyff, Vilanova, Guardiola, Txiki, and some of the players have all stressed the importance of enjoying the night and playing without fear. And just like Reina said, IMO that is key. If the team "tightens up", like they did to begin with against Arsenal in 2006, then the attacking play will not be as fluent as it can.

Was there any doubt that Barca were not going to win the league and cup?

The league title was over when you beat Real 1-0.

I heard that in Spain some people are saying this is one of the best Barca sides ever, mainly down to them scoring 104 goals in the league, got Messi the best player in the world.

Last year they were under immense pressure to beat Man. Utd. and it showed. This year it's different.

Disagree

last year Barca were in really poor form in the league, out of the title race

Man Utd were clear favourites to win the tie

The Barca players had nothing to lose, thats why they played really well (in terms of passing)

COTR wrote:Stick to the pictures Batman

L-r d wrote:

COTR wrote:Stick to the pictures Batman

Champions league final or Holby city what will it be for you young man?

COTR wrote:Stick to the pictures Batman

Spoiler:

Batman wrote:

COTR wrote:Stick to the pictures Batman

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

COTR wrote:

Batman wrote:

COTR wrote:Stick to the pictures Batman

Spoiler:

Better than your above attempts at football discussion