Dani Alves
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
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| photo by Christopher Johnson |
- by Allison Norris, writing from Salt Lake City, Utah
My soccer-watching experience is an interesting one. On the one hand, I support Barca – arguably the best team in the entire world, while on the other hand I also support my home team Real Salt Lake. I can’t help but compare my two favorite teams, finding many similarities in style of play and team philosophy. With RSL, I have seen the best of times and the worst of times. In the past, I knew what it felt like to have my team at the bottom of the league and laughed at on every corner of the newspaper. Now, I admit I’m relatively new to European football. I grew up watching local high school games and have branched out as the years went on, as opposed to some kids whose first words were Pele or Maradona. As a result, I picked up watching Barca at just the right time and it seems like they’ve never known anything but first or second position in the table.
Maybe I’m a little spoiled when it comes to La Liga. Perhaps I should spend a season supporting Getafe or Osasuna or – heaven forbid – Espanyol. Then I might see how La Liga works a little better. Maybe. But I’ve spent enough time with a team at the bottom of the league to understand what a good thing is, and to know good things do not last. Eventually the Xavis, the Iniestas and the Messis have to retire and an era will end. But that won’t be for some time yet. I look forward to proudly showing my Messi jersey to my great-grandchildren, saying, “This was the team that was unstoppable.” Until the smart-alecky kids will point out, “Then how come they aren’t still playing?” Unfortunately by that time, no one will go outdoors anymore and the only games kids will know are on digital. Kids won’t understand what it means when I tell them Messi could run 16 MPH with the ball. “What’s running???”
Ok, forget that tangent.
As it stands, Real Madrid currently sits at the top of the table, three points ahead of the demi-gods, Barcelona. It’s early in the second half of the season and I’m sure Madrid will blaze forward with all confidence. Those three points ahead of their rivals will be very valuable. In my biased mind, I always picture Real Madrid as having too much confidence. They get a few points ahead and Mourinho’s scowl turns to a smirk, though it’s difficult to tell the difference. Cristiano goes on a hat-trick tear, Ramos throws trophies off buses, and Kaka smiles a lot (sometimes I forget Kaka is on their team because he’s so quiet). Barca, in the mean time, take a look at that distance of points between them, and get back to work. Pep gives out assurance that things will be well and it’s not too late. It all culminates around that El Clasico in April.
We can really learn a lot about life through this game. You can work and work your whole life, dedicating hours and hours of blood, sweat and tears to some goal only to have it get messed up at the last moment by some person who can do whatever it is you were doing without the slightest effort. Sometimes things don’t work out as you plan. Most of the time things don’t. But that’s just Madrid talking. Barca always plans to win, even when they fall behind for a second. They’re the kids with all the luck in the world and the skills to make everyone else just look sub-par.
To be fair, I wasn’t around in 1899 to be the first fan of Barca. I had to jump on a bandwagon at some point, and it’s not like I was supporting a different team before. I saw Real Madrid play in Salt Lake City in 2006, but I didn’t instantly fall in love with them. I didn’t even understand why everyone started yelling RUUUUUUUD! when they announced the line-ups. I only knew two words: Beck ham.
And so, here we go. Another downhill sprint to the top of the table for La Liga with many prominent matches to come. Though, things do get kind of monotonous when everything just keeps going according to plan. I’d like to see Madrid really try for it. I’d love to see Valencia jump ahead and get in that place they want to be. But, more than all that, I’m perfectly content to watch the Barca goals keep coming. It’s great fun.
Today Getafe FC showed the world that the "Best Team in the World" can be beaten. Juan Valera Espin scored the only goal in Getafe's 1-0 victory. Barcelona are now 6 points behind Real Madrid.
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Marco Fabian
Barcelona vs Chivas
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| [photo by Mick Baker] |
- by Tatiana Nahai, writing from Los Angeles, CA - @TatianaMUFC
I don’t know about you, but I had quiet confidence and optimism tucked away before the match. I believed that Sir Alex Ferguson’s masterful tactics could stop the Barcelona powerhouse. I really believed we could do it.. because Manchester United will never roll over and die. I allowed my heart to defy reason and logic because we are, afterall, the most romantic team in England. If anyone could do it, it was us. And I saw it: The defiance and will. Vidic’s brilliant tackle on Messi summed it all up for me. The only problem was we had to be perfect. And we weren’t.
The three goals were avoidable. As brilliant as Vidic and Rio were at some points, Messi and Villa should have never been given that much space. The mistake by Carrick and Nani to give possession to Villa was terrible. With all of the preparation and strategies, I couldn’t understand why United had so many basic football errors. Maybe it was because Barcelona are one of the best at putting pressure on players, but I don't think it is that simple. It was incredibly frustrating to see.
But the truth is that there was very little Manchester United could do to stop Barcelona. Arguably one of the best club sides ever assembled, Barcelona was just on a whole other level. Player-for-player, they had us beat. The domination in the midfield said it all. Giggs could do very little apart from Rooney’s assist, Carrick was overrun and made less effective, and Valencia and Park were forced to play in a deeper position in the middle, rather than freely on the wings. And in the end, the supply to Chicharito was cut off.
And what a foreign concept that is to Manchester United: to lose because we were just the weaker side. It’s not because of poor refereeing, players letting us down, or not showing up on the day. Rather, we’re just not good enough. It’s a weird, almost empty feeling. We could have done better, but could we really?
It is very likely that Barcelona will be a powerhouse for many years to come. So, we can take this defeat and look at it in two ways: We can accept the fact that Barcelona are incredible, currently a league of their own and there’s very little we can do. Or we can take on Barcelona’s challenge. Barcelona have raised the bar to incredible levels, and there’s nothing that drives Ferguson more than a raised bar. Domestically, Ferguson has already responded to a massive challenge with 19 amazing titles and a destruction of Liverpool's perch. Now, our next destination: to beat Barcelona. I believe Ferguson will use this match as a drive for Manchester United's future. Next season will be a huge transitional period with retiring players, new signings, players back from loan, and players coming through the ranks. There's a likely chance we'll be seeing a new United side.. Hopefully, a side that can be worthy Champions of Europe.
When it comes down to it, I’m proud of our boys. Proclaimed as one Ferguson’s “worst sides,” our squad made it to the FA Cup Semi Final, Champions League Final, and most importantly, won the illustrious 19th title. United had the mentality of champions this season with true determination and a never-say-die attitude. And it was an absolute pleasure. Of course, the pain of seeing someone else feel the incredible joys of being European Champions is extremely difficult to bear. But it is this pain that will continue to drive us. I know I’m getting a little sappy and overly optimistic, but when it comes to United, I just can’t help it. I think back to that night in Moscow, and how the heavens opened for United to allow a little rain, forcing John Terry to take one of the worst penalty kicks ever. And I knew then, more than ever, that G-d loves Manchester United. And I really do love this club. Personally, I accept Barcelona’s challenge and look forward to seeing what strategy Ferguson takes in this transfer market. Next season will be exciting.
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| [photo by Mick Baker] |
- by Hiten Mandalia, writing from West London
Manchester United have been regarded as the underdogs as the current Barcelona team are arguably regarded as one of the best clubs teams of all time. Both teams go into the final in good form, as both have won their respective leagues and both teams are injury free.
Manchester United have a solid goalkeeper in Van Der Sar in what proves to be his last professional game before he retires. They also have two of the best centre backs in the world in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Man United have a good defence, arguably better then Barcelona’s, but Barcelona have a better midefield and the likes of Messi, Villa and Pedro in what proves to be a devastating front three.
Compare that to United, with Rooney, Berbatov and Hernandez, who has impressed in his debut season for the Red Devils. However, this is where the real test lies for Man United. The biggest club competition in the world, and against arguably, the greatest team in the world. They know they’ll be playing without the ball for large amounts of the game, so discipline will prove to an important factor.
The battle where the match could be won and lost is in midfield. Barcelona possess top quality players in the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets, while Man United have Fletcher and Anderson who like the physical battles, Valenica has the pace, Giggs has the ability to tun past players, but I think the most important player for the Red Devils will be Ji-Sung Park. He will run for 90 minutes and his work ethic is second to none. Alex Ferguson know that he will get the best out of Park, and Barcelona may find it difficult to cope with him.
It will be difficult for both teams to contain one another as they both play football the right way. Barcelona dominate possession and timely build up a team goal or sometimes, an individual moment of brilliance. On the other hand, Man United are known for there devastating counter attacking football, and they may do that against Barcelona. They may consume all the pressure from Barcelona, before breaking on a counter attack, which may leave the Barcelona defence vunlerable.
Ferguson has said that they won’t be going into the game looking for revenge after their 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the 2009 final in Rome. He admitted he knew where he went wrong and they’re better prepared this time round. Ferdinand said that the wound from the defeat two years ago is still fresh, but he is focused on winning the trophy, and not getting revenge.
All the pre match build has been pleasant, with players and managers praising there opponents. There has been no signs of nerves or pressure in any of the camps, as it feels both teams are looking forward to Saturday evening.
Both sets of supporters from around the world are waiting anxiously for this match. For neutrals, it’ll be a match they’ll savour. A match that they can sit back and enjoy, and hope for a good show.
The Catalan giants against the Red Devils, the La Liga Champions against the Premier League Champions, Guardiola taking on Ferguson, Messi versus Rooney. The final has all the ingredients to make it a classic.
What do you think? Vote below.
- via Strikers.com
“We are obviously excited about having one of the world’s top clubs, F.C. Barcelona, coming to play in our community. We know our fans will appreciate the convenience of purchasing these tickets at our game on Saturday night. The soccer community is unified in its desire to sell out Sun Life Stadium for this extraordinary event,” said Strikers President Tim Robbie.
The Strikers will be selling premium seating in various price categories throughout Sun Life Stadium. Ticket prices range from $40 dollars up to $105. Below is a breakdown of all the tickets that will be on sale:
Sideline lower level - $105
Sideline upper level- $55
End zone lower level -$70
End zone upper level -$40
For more information you can call 954.606.0400 or visit www.strikers.com.
The stage is set. On May 28th, 2011 The Greatest Team in The World will face The Greatest Manager in The World. This is a rematch of the 2009 Champions League Final that took place almost exactly two years ago (May 27th, 2009). Barcelona defeated Man Utd in the Final that year with a final score of 2-0 (Samuel Eto'o 10', Lionel Messi 70') and became the first club in Spain to win the treble consisting (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League). That same year, Barça also became the first football club ever to win six out of six competitions in a single year, the sextuple, comprising the aforementioned treble and the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Instead of playing in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Manchester United will be playing just 200 miles away from Old Trafford in front of 90,000. The location? Wembley Stadium, The Venue of Legends. Will this rematch result in the same result? or will Manchester United emerge as Champion of Europe for the first time since 2008? We will find out on May 28th.