FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United

peterstorey · 22nd April 2008, 01:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupid Stunt

I wouldnt be suprised if we played like this at the Camp Nou.

-- Wes ------- Rio ------- Vida ------- Evra

---Hargreaves ----Carrick ---- Anderson ---

---------- Rooney ------- Giggs ---------

----------------- Ronaldo -------------

That looks about right except Rooney will start up-front.

Alex · 22nd April 2008, 01:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterstorey

That looks about right except Rooney will start up-front.

On the team sheet, Ronaldo and he will split time up there, also I believe Nani will start over Giggs imo

Shotgun raisin · 22nd April 2008, 01:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahamaRed

Barcelona Wed: mostly sunny. 67 high, 49 low. Little chance of rain.

That's a plus.

What're the chances of it being a balmy night?

peterstorey · 22nd April 2008, 01:51

Forecast chilly.

Shotgun raisin · 22nd April 2008, 01:56

Tyldesley's gonna have to come up with some new material then. It's taken him nine years, to be fair.

Alex · 22nd April 2008, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shotgun raisin

What're the chances of it being a balmy night?

0 as the daily high will only be 67, perfect weather, probably have a nice humidity in the air and be low 60s for kick off

Nick 0208 Ldn · 22nd April 2008, 04:13

1-2 or 2-3

Oh there will be fireworks, there will be magic, there will be controversy.

England, Spain and all footballing Europe will have good deal to talk about.

anything about now · 22nd April 2008, 04:55

0-2, repeat of Roma away. We start out shaky, they dominate for awhile then we strike and hit two goals on the counter.

Scholesy_LEGEND · 22nd April 2008, 04:57

expect the unexpected.

0-0?

Kelvin · 22nd April 2008, 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scholesy_LEGEND

expect the unexpected.

0-0?

doubt it. And it be a bad result for us.

REd FUn DevIl · 22nd April 2008, 05:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scholesy_LEGEND

expect the unexpected.

0-0?

Haha, so much attack in both sides to end like that. I rather bet that score for Liverpool against Chelsea.

When you have Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez in one side and Etoo, Messi and Henry in the other there is no way you will see a 0-0 score after 90 mins.

neno · 22nd April 2008, 07:36

well an interesting fact is that Barca have only let in one goal at the Camp Nou this season against Stuttgart and it was at a game that they have already won the group stage... we have done the same, only sporting has scored against us at Old Trafford...

well at least Puyol wont be there to hold the defense together.

Godfather · 22nd April 2008, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupid Stunt

I wouldnt be suprised if we played like this at the Camp Nou.

-- Wes ------- Rio ------- Vida ------- Evra

---Hargreaves ----Carrick ---- Anderson ---

---------- Rooney ------- Giggs ---------

----------------- Ronaldo -------------

I'd rather have Nani in there for Giggs, but you might be right, this could also be the line-up.

We'll see.

Crustanoid · 22nd April 2008, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scholesy_LEGEND

expect the unexpected.

0-0?

I predict 2 0-0 draws with us scraping through 1-0 on sudden death penalties (VDS the decider)

Liverpool will win 11-10 on aggregate in extra time of the second leg

Sanada · 22nd April 2008, 09:16

2-1 loss away, maybe 3-1, 2-0 win at home

Dublin · 22nd April 2008, 09:16

SittingBull · 22nd April 2008, 09:24

I'm going for a high scoring draw for us, and a goalless draw for the Liverpool-Chelsea game. Barcelone is not going to keep a clean sheet against us. Their last home game against Schalke, Kevin Kuranyi was responsible for at least 3 clear chances which he woefully wasted. They will have majority of the domination, no doubt, but expect us to hit them really hard on the counters and setpieces. I fancy Rooney or Ronaldo to score on the counter, with another goal coming from setpieces. Probably Vidic or Rio Ferdinand.

oleonenumber20 · 22nd April 2008, 09:34

Just been watching the 3-3 at the Nou camp. I'd take that again!

Pogue Mahone · 22nd April 2008, 10:29

Fergie hints at marking Messi
by Alex Livie, 22 April 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested Owen Hargreaves may be charged with the task of shackling Lionel Messi when Manchester United face Barcelona on Wednesday.

Barcelona and United are two of the most exciting sides in European football and there is huge expectation ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou.

Ferguson usually adopts a policy to force his opponents to worry about his side, but it appears the threat of Messi is weighing on his mind.

The Argentina star returned to action following a month on the sidelines at the weekend and it could be that United will keep a close eye on the forward.

”I have a team in mind I want to use and it could be that one player is given an important role,” Ferguson said.

”Barcelona are not going through a great spell, but Messi was out for a few weeks and now he is back. He will be the main threat.”

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/Ne...uson-on-Messi/

Not usually a fan of man-marking but I think sticking Hargreaves on Messi for 90 minutes would be a good idea.

VidaRed · 22nd April 2008, 10:43

we'll win 2-0

Crustanoid · 22nd April 2008, 10:43

I think Anderson will mark him as he is predominantly left sided, whilst Messi (and Hargreaves) are right sided

reddevilcanada · 22nd April 2008, 10:51

Messi And Ronaldo Nowhere Near Ronaldinho - Larsson

Ahead of Manchester United's Ronaldo going head-to-head with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Swedish legend and former Barcelona man Henrik Larsson has suggested that neither will ever be as good as Ronaldinho...

The Swedish striker won the 2006 Champions League with a Barcelona side led by Ronaldinho, and has since spent a brief period on loan at Manchester United, playing a small but vital role in them winning their first Premier League title in four years.

Many felt the Celtic legend was performing well enough to continue at Old Trafford, but he opted to return to Sweden to play for his hometown club Helsingborgs.

Despite the Red Devils' recent success and ongoing lack of a striker in Larsson's mould, he is adamant that though he is happy for the club, he has no regrets.

"When I signed the contract it was for 10 weeks," he said. "I'm happy for them that they're playing great but in terms of regrets, no."

Having played for both clubs, the 36-year-old has given his thoughts on each team's star player. He was full of praise for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but asserted that neither were in the same league as Ronaldinho is - or at least was in his prime.

"Messi has a better left foot and Ronaldo a better right foot," joked Larsson.

"Ronaldo was fantastic last season and this season better. It's a joy to watch football the way he plays it. Now he's one of the best in the world, if not the best.

"Messi's an unbelievable talent. Unfortunately he's had injuries. He's still a kid and developing, but he's going to become even better."

Are they as good as Ronaldinho? "It'll be a long time before we see a player reaching those heights again."

Larsson refused to reveal whom he would be supporting on Wednesday night, insisting his main concern was whether he would be fit for Helsingborgs' league clash against Kalmar.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=668117

reddevilcanada · 22nd April 2008, 11:00

Rio bullish ahead of Barca test

United have seen off the best of Italy and France in this season’s Champions League – and Rio Ferdinand is confident of doing the same to Barcelona in the semi-finals.

The Reds defender is far from fazed by the Catalan giants’ wealth of attacking talent and even questioned their tag as the competition’s best team.

“We are confident, definitely,” he told ManUtd.com. “People talk about them being the best side in the tournament but I don’t know.

“We have already beaten Roma and Lyon, the best sides in Italy and France. Barcelona, if you look at the league table, aren’t the best team in Spain and weren’t last season either.

“We know we’re playing a top side. People talk about ‘acid tests’ but I think each game is an acid test. Barcelona have great prestige and history, but whether they’re the best team around at the moment, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Ferdinand is excited by the prospect of Wednesday’s first leg at the Nou Camp, and is seeking a defensive performance similar to that which the Reds produced in the Stadio Olimpico at the start of the month.

The 29-year-old added: “I hope we defend as a team and are compact because if we are open, they have the players to punish us. So, fingers crossed, we’ll be a tight unit and will be able to hit them on the counter-attack like we did in Rome.

“I’m looking forward to the game and the occasion – the Nou Camp is a prestigious arena with great traditions. The players on show are all illustrious names and talented footballers, so to be able to come up against them is a fantastic opportunity.”

Ferdinand was speaking at the launch of United's National Curriculum Education Programme at Old Trafford.

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=549414&page=2

VoetbalWizard · 22nd April 2008, 11:30

vds; brown, rio, vidic, evra; anderson, carrick, hargreaves; ronaldo, rooney, nani.

Bench: PIG, tevez, giggs, scholes, pique, park, o'shea.

emotional support: fletcher, neville, welbeck, heaton, silvestre

that's what i think will be picked from the 23 man squad that traveled.

manux399 · 22nd April 2008, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoetbalWizard

vds; brown, rio, vidic, evra; anderson, carrick, hargreaves; ronaldo, rooney, nani.

Bench: PIG, tevez, giggs, scholes, pique, park, o'shea.

emotional support: fletcher, neville, welbeck, heaton, silvestre

that's what i think will be picked from the 23 man squad that traveled.

Like that line up but got a funny feeling we'll play one winger with Tevez on instead of Nani but it's a hard call..! That said I'd be happy with that line-up. Hargreaves and Anderson are a must in midfield IMO.

manux399 · 22nd April 2008, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupid Stunt

I wouldnt be suprised if we played like this at the Camp Nou.

-- Wes ------- Rio ------- Vida ------- Evra

---Hargreaves ----Carrick ---- Anderson ---

---------- Rooney ------- Giggs ---------

----------------- Ronaldo -------------

With a keeper of course...

Rowem · 22nd April 2008, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

Fergie hints at marking Messi
by Alex Livie, 22 April 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested Owen Hargreaves may be charged with the task of shackling Lionel Messi when Manchester United face Barcelona on Wednesday.

Barcelona and United are two of the most exciting sides in European football and there is huge expectation ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou.

Ferguson usually adopts a policy to force his opponents to worry about his side, but it appears the threat of Messi is weighing on his mind.

The Argentina star returned to action following a month on the sidelines at the weekend and it could be that United will keep a close eye on the forward.

”I have a team in mind I want to use and it could be that one player is given an important role,” Ferguson said.

”Barcelona are not going through a great spell, but Messi was out for a few weeks and now he is back. He will be the main threat.”

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/Ne...uson-on-Messi/

Not usually a fan of man-marking but I think sticking Hargreaves on Messi for 90 minutes would be a good idea.

I don't.

Hargreaves is great at harassing people but isn't such a clean tackler. He'd be better employed chasing down Barca's play makers in centre mid (aswell as breaking forwards). If he were to man mark Messi you'd take his best element out of his game, and he'd probably end up fouling Messi quite a bit in areas you dont want to be giving free kicks away.

Doevle · 22nd April 2008, 12:24

I think it's wise to have Hargreaves man-marking Messi, as it would be suicide leaving Evra alone with him. Evra has a yellow card as well, so if he gets booked, he will be suspended for the replay. I doubt Evra can go 90 minutes alone against Messi without getting booked.

Feedingseagulls · 22nd April 2008, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick 0208 Ldn

1-2 or 2-3

Oh there will be fireworks, there will be magic, there will be controversy.

England, Spain and all footballing Europe will have good deal to talk about.

You've sweet-talked me into it, you silver-tongued rogue you!

Feedingseagulls · 22nd April 2008, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowem

I don't.

Hargreaves is great at harassing people but isn't such a clean tackler. He'd be better employed chasing down Barca's play makers in centre mid (aswell as breaking forwards). If he were to man mark Messi you'd take his best element out of his game, and he'd probably end up fouling Messi quite a bit in areas you dont want to be giving free kicks away.

Quote:

22nd April 2008, 10:29	#219 (permalink)
Pogue Mahone Dr Death wasting tax payers money on the Caf all day Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: "As relaxed and natural on the park as a dog chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind" Posts: 13,566	Man-marking Messi? Fergie hints at marking Messi by Alex Livie, 22 April 2008 Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested Owen Hargreaves may be charged with the task of shackling Lionel Messi when Manchester United face Barcelona on Wednesday. Barcelona and United are two of the most exciting sides in European football and there is huge expectation ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou. Ferguson usually adopts a policy to force his opponents to worry about his side, but it appears the threat of Messi is weighing on his mind. The Argentina star returned to action following a month on the sidelines at the weekend and it could be that United will keep a close eye on the forward. ”I have a team in mind I want to use and it could be that one player is given an important role,” Ferguson said. ”Barcelona are not going through a great spell, but Messi was out for a few weeks and now he is back. He will be the main threat.” http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/Ne...uson-on-Messi/ Not usually a fan of man-marking but I think sticking Hargreaves on Messi for 90 minutes would be a good idea.

22nd April 2008, 10:43	#221 (permalink)
Crustanoid Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancs Posts: 1,990	Messi being marked I think Anderson will mark him as he is predominantly left sided, whilst Messi (and Hargreaves) are right sided

22nd April 2008, 01:51	#204 (permalink)
peterstorey Winner of the 'Most pompous arrogant pretentious Gooner' title 2004 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Happy those, who can remain at Highbury! Posts: 8,663	Forecast chilly.

22nd April 2008, 01:56	#205 (permalink)
Shotgun raisin Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: the path of the Mean Posts: 2,664	Tyldesley's gonna have to come up with some new material then. It's taken him nine years, to be fair.

22nd April 2008, 04:13	#207 (permalink)
Nick 0208 Ldn First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Londinium - Never stop dreaming. Posts: 6,357	1-2 or 2-3 Oh there will be fireworks, there will be magic, there will be controversy. England, Spain and all footballing Europe will have good deal to talk about.

22nd April 2008, 04:55	#208 (permalink)
anything about now MUFC lad living in a matriel world Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,511	0-2, repeat of Roma away. We start out shaky, they dominate for awhile then we strike and hit two goals on the counter.

22nd April 2008, 04:57	#209 (permalink)
Scholesy_LEGEND Incorrigible pest Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.N.I.T.E.D, United are the team for me, with a nick-nack-paddy-whack, give the dog a bone, why don't Shitty fook off home! Posts: 2,278	expect the unexpected. 0-0?

22nd April 2008, 07:36	#212 (permalink)
neno Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: A town called Malice. Posts: 1,483	well an interesting fact is that Barca have only let in one goal at the Camp Nou this season against Stuttgart and it was at a game that they have already won the group stage... we have done the same, only sporting has scored against us at Old Trafford... well at least Puyol wont be there to hold the defense together.

22nd April 2008, 09:16	#215 (permalink)
Sanada Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,060	2-1 loss away, maybe 3-1, 2-0 win at home

22nd April 2008, 09:16	#216 (permalink)
Dublin ....wise choice for a Username or not? Discuss. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: I'm going to Old Trafford next year! Posts: 687	1-1

22nd April 2008, 09:24	#217 (permalink)
SittingBull Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Island of Singapore Posts: 1,341	I'm going for a high scoring draw for us, and a goalless draw for the Liverpool-Chelsea game. Barcelone is not going to keep a clean sheet against us. Their last home game against Schalke, Kevin Kuranyi was responsible for at least 3 clear chances which he woefully wasted. They will have majority of the domination, no doubt, but expect us to hit them really hard on the counters and setpieces. I fancy Rooney or Ronaldo to score on the counter, with another goal coming from setpieces. Probably Vidic or Rio Ferdinand.

22nd April 2008, 09:34	#218 (permalink)
oleonenumber20 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,152	Just been watching the 3-3 at the Nou camp. I'd take that again!

22nd April 2008, 10:43	#220 (permalink)
VidaRed First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,788	we'll win 2-0

22nd April 2008, 10:51	#222 (permalink)
reddevilcanada First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,890	Messi And Ronaldo Nowhere Near Ronaldinho - Larsson Ahead of Manchester United's Ronaldo going head-to-head with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Swedish legend and former Barcelona man Henrik Larsson has suggested that neither will ever be as good as Ronaldinho... The Swedish striker won the 2006 Champions League with a Barcelona side led by Ronaldinho, and has since spent a brief period on loan at Manchester United, playing a small but vital role in them winning their first Premier League title in four years. Many felt the Celtic legend was performing well enough to continue at Old Trafford, but he opted to return to Sweden to play for his hometown club Helsingborgs. Despite the Red Devils' recent success and ongoing lack of a striker in Larsson's mould, he is adamant that though he is happy for the club, he has no regrets. "When I signed the contract it was for 10 weeks," he said. "I'm happy for them that they're playing great but in terms of regrets, no." Having played for both clubs, the 36-year-old has given his thoughts on each team's star player. He was full of praise for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but asserted that neither were in the same league as Ronaldinho is - or at least was in his prime. "Messi has a better left foot and Ronaldo a better right foot," joked Larsson. "Ronaldo was fantastic last season and this season better. It's a joy to watch football the way he plays it. Now he's one of the best in the world, if not the best. "Messi's an unbelievable talent. Unfortunately he's had injuries. He's still a kid and developing, but he's going to become even better." Are they as good as Ronaldinho? "It'll be a long time before we see a player reaching those heights again." Larsson refused to reveal whom he would be supporting on Wednesday night, insisting his main concern was whether he would be fit for Helsingborgs' league clash against Kalmar. http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=668117

22nd April 2008, 11:00	#223 (permalink)
reddevilcanada First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,890	Rio bullish ahead of Barca test United have seen off the best of Italy and France in this season’s Champions League – and Rio Ferdinand is confident of doing the same to Barcelona in the semi-finals. The Reds defender is far from fazed by the Catalan giants’ wealth of attacking talent and even questioned their tag as the competition’s best team. “We are confident, definitely,” he told ManUtd.com. “People talk about them being the best side in the tournament but I don’t know. “We have already beaten Roma and Lyon, the best sides in Italy and France. Barcelona, if you look at the league table, aren’t the best team in Spain and weren’t last season either. “We know we’re playing a top side. People talk about ‘acid tests’ but I think each game is an acid test. Barcelona have great prestige and history, but whether they’re the best team around at the moment, we’ll have to wait and see.” Ferdinand is excited by the prospect of Wednesday’s first leg at the Nou Camp, and is seeking a defensive performance similar to that which the Reds produced in the Stadio Olimpico at the start of the month. The 29-year-old added: “I hope we defend as a team and are compact because if we are open, they have the players to punish us. So, fingers crossed, we’ll be a tight unit and will be able to hit them on the counter-attack like we did in Rome. “I’m looking forward to the game and the occasion – the Nou Camp is a prestigious arena with great traditions. The players on show are all illustrious names and talented footballers, so to be able to come up against them is a fantastic opportunity.” Ferdinand was speaking at the launch of United's National Curriculum Education Programme at Old Trafford. http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=549414&page=2

22nd April 2008, 11:30	#224 (permalink)
VoetbalWizard Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,242	vds; brown, rio, vidic, evra; anderson, carrick, hargreaves; ronaldo, rooney, nani. Bench: PIG, tevez, giggs, scholes, pique, park, o'shea. emotional support: fletcher, neville, welbeck, heaton, silvestre that's what i think will be picked from the 23 man squad that traveled.

22nd April 2008, 12:24	#228 (permalink)
Doevle Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LUHG Posts: 1,165	I think it's wise to have Hargreaves man-marking Messi, as it would be suicide leaving Evra alone with him. Evra has a yellow card as well, so if he gets booked, he will be suspended for the replay. I doubt Evra can go 90 minutes alone against Messi without getting booked.