The Champions League/European Cup Winners' Cup has never seen an all-English final until now. Italy and Spain have each had two representatives square off in the championship game, but never has England, with all its proud history and illustrious clubs, been able to say that the two top clubs in Europe hail from its shores. Tomorrow in Moscow, two of the EPL's juggernauts will vie for the Champions League trophy on a less-than-stellar pitch a long distance from home.
Fans of both teams have made the trip in large numbers, joining an already existing base of both United and Chelsea fans in Russia. Surely there will be more Muscovite Chelsea supporters, given the clubs Russian ownership, but early televised news reports suggest there are plenty of Russian Manchester United fans hanging out in Red Square this week. Manchester United is, after all, the largest club in the world in terms of global support (perhaps Real Madrid has an argument there). The atmosphere promises to be electric and positive, with plenty of police presence to prevent against any incidents. After last week's UEFA Cup, organizers are taking no chances, having installed upwards of 5,000 additional police for this game.
Speaking of the game itself, what to expect? Conventional wisdom favors Manchester Utd, but take a look closer and you might start to believe in Chelsea's chances. I believe Chelsea will win this game because of the stingy way in which they defend. This is not to say that United are not excellent at the back, because they are, but Chelsea seem to play a more dogged, impenetrable style in their ultra important contests. So it then comes down to a question of which team breaks through? Well, sadly, I see this as a 0-0 game after 90 minutes, and quite likely after extra time as well. And then I just think Chelsea have more big name penalty takers, and that will be that.
BUT WAIT A MINUTE! I can't be so lame as to predict a 0-0 draw that goes to penalties, can I? No, I cannot. So... let me go out on a gigantically frail limb and predict that Chelsea win 2-0, with goals from Joe Cole and Michael Ballack. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will each be denied great chances by Petr Cech, and Michael Carrick will even have a headed goal disallowed on a set piece for interference. There. How's that for bold?
It's going to be a compelling atmosphere, and an intriguing match tactically and strategically at the start. Then it will be dodgy and cagey until half time, with Joe Cole breaking through in the 55th minute, followed by a Ballack clincher in the 86th. Chelsea will frustrate Rooney and Ronaldo, and Evra will be sent off for a second yellow near the 70 minute mark. Tevez will look liveliest for United, but will never quite be able to take his chances, and Drogba and Vidic will most likely get in three to eight altercations. Avram Grant will go into convulsions after Ballack's goal, and will kiss the pitch at midfield at the final whistle, and then point into the owner's box at Roman Abramovich, who will have already made up his mind to sack him anyway because Chelsea still play such unattractive football. And that's that!
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3 comments:
Umm…I have to disagree with you on this. Not on the atmosphere, which will undoubtedly be electric, but on the game itself. Man u plays a much more well rounded style of game and the dynamic front of rooney, ronaldo, and tevez will be too much for chelsea’s ‘stingy’ defense. I’ve never been much of a drogba supporter and while I’ll concede he may have a nose for the goal, I don’t think he’ll be much of a difference maker. He’ll dramatically try to draw a call in the box at least twice and then whine incessantly about the no call. He’s also been injured of late, and while he claims to be fit, he may be limited on the pitch…a concern for Terry, as well. Ballack does have a history of providing necessary goals in big games and as such, should be marked tightly by man u’s defense.
I think the most influential player/s in this game will be owen hargreaves/paul scholes. I’ve become somewhat enamored with the player that sacrifices himself and leaves in all on the field for the idea of a team. Both of these players embody that and in turn, will be rewarded for their effort. That may be what attracts me to man u more so than Chelsea because in my eyes, the devils are constructed of players with that mentality. Chelsea may demonstrate some unifying goal as well, I just think united does so a little more…thus a Manchester united victory in Moscow.
sam
SOCCER!!!!!!!!
Very insightful commentary there, Sam. And ultimately, pretty accurate. I do think Man U were the better team for the first half, while I thought Chelsea were superior in the 2nd half and extra time. Penalties were up in the air, and after Ronaldo's poor effort, I really thought it was going to be Chelsea's first ever Champions League triumph, but poor John Terry lost his footing and sent his effort wide and into the post. So sad for him. But at the end of the day, it's hard to argue with United deserving the trophy. They certainly earned it. Look forward to next season, and more immediately, to Euro 2008!
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