(Caution: Rare footie posting ahead. My humble apologies to all my non-footie inclined readers, since it’s a momentous occasion, I just have to blog about here. Regular programming to resume tomorrow…actually also depending on the outcome of the match.)
It’s the big European Champion’s League Final tomorrow morning. As excited as I am, it’s going to be difficult for Arsenal to beat Barcelona. Difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible in football.
When the 2nd round draws were announced at the end of last year, Arsenal were set to meet Real Madrid. When the draw was made, I was confident Arsenal would beat Real. Even in the weeks leading up to the match, Arsenal was in a domestic slump while Real’s fortunes were on the upturn, I still knew Arsenal could beat them. I had watched Real play over the past 3 seasons, and I knew it was tactically possible to outmaneuver the Galacticos. Arsenal beat them 1-0 over two legs.
Then came Juventus. Then I was worried. Juve had a talented team, almost a star-studded team, if such a term can be applied to football. At that time they were leading the Serie A by something like 9 points. Yes, I was worried. Very difficult to win, I thought, but at least we weren’t facing AC Milan or Barca, I thought. But Juve had a crummy first game at Highbury, and lost 1-0 over two legs. What a relief.
Then came Villareal. I never doubted Arsenal would win that one. It was close, but in the end, the brave provincial team was outlasted by a jaded Arsenal. That was that.
Now comes Barca. For one, at least they cleared AC Milan out of the way, but inevitably, we had to meet either of them in the final. I don’t know which is better, but Arsenal would be underdogs against either of them.
I hope the boys keep their composure and stick strictly to the gameplan. Don’t lose concentration for even a second. These Barca boys can punish you over a small mistake.
I don’t know if the teams have been picked but this what I’d go with:
Lehmann between the sticks, no issue there. In front of him, it’ll be Campbell as the last man, Toure slightly forward. Toure will have to mark out Eto’o.
Fullbacks, no question again, Cole marking Giuly, Eboue (good luck!) marking the great Ronaldinho. Beyond them, a 5 man midfield. Gilberto has to stop Deco from passing out wide. Fabregas playmaker.
But the midfield is the most interesting, where the game will be decided. I’d go with Reyes on the left, Hleb on the right, Pires in the whole behind Henry. He’s been iffy this season, but I think he’s got the experience in big matches ahead of the midfield pack. Hleb has been outstanding this season, the key with him, Reyes, Henry, Fabregas and Pires is to use their roles interchangeably, and lead out Barca’s back four.
Henry, lone striker, a foregone conclusion.
So it’s set, tomorrow morning at 2.30am, Stade de France. Arsenal FC against FC Barcelona.
The Gunners against Barca.
English against Spanish (well, at least in name).
Wenger against Rijkaard.
Henry against Ronaldinho.
Or as Eyeris puts it, Barca against Arsa.
Up the Gunners.
15 Comments
lilian
*skips the whole post*
My atm is going to be on leave tomorrow! Duh!
And the other night game? We have ESPN in our TV channel in the hotel suite but no that other channel, Starsport? So, he went down to the lounge to watch. After the usual time, I waited and waited and wonder why he didn’t come up. Worried he may have ended up flirting with some hottie from Brazil or Japan mah (those Asian X-Games people staying same place). I fell asleep, next morning, only interrogate, “Hah, football only one hour to finish, why never come up?” OK, you know the result of the other night game liao, no need to explain further.
Tenkiu for the rant hor? It is not even World Cup yet.
Laksa
well written post!
and go arsenal! kick barca’s ass!
eSSeNtRiC
Sigh. If Wenger’s men take the trophy home.. it will be damn depressing for Traffordians (ok, I coined this term.. got such word ah?) Liverpool the FA Cup. Chelsea the Premiership title : (
KY
too bad no Messi I think.
Naz
essentric : You guys have the Mick-I mean… Carling Cup wut…
inevitable
Good luck Arsenal.
YNWA,
JoeC
Barca, barca, barca…… unless the worst case, a penalty shoot out, nerves of steel man, nerves of steel, man. Cheers!
kinyu
Please don’t drag the game till penalty shoot out.. Gotta study tmr!!
Pat
I will definitely be waking early tomorrow to catch the game.
If Arsenal plays with no pressure, I’m sure they are a match for Barca. Those times when I see them crumble is when they put themselves under too much pressure. And I believe Henry will produce something special tonight, it might be his last season in Arsenal.
CLF
Simon, one man mark Ronaldinho is not enough lar…. watch videos and you’ll see why managers would put more than 2 person mark that Player of The Year.
Same goes to Henry too. 🙂
P/S: Both teams are sponsored by Nike, yet they’re forced to use Adidas’ FINALE ball. How ironic….
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simon
lilian – its going to be a l-o-n-g World Cup month for you in June, hor? 🙂
laksa – just a few more hours…
naz & essentric – i think MU will be back stronger next season.
inevitable – thanks!
joeC & kinyu – if penalties, more than a few ppl will be late for work!
pat – i think it’ll be the last season for pires and cole too. but no worries. Arsenal is bigger than a few players.
CLF – if 2 men then prolly the right winger has to mark him to. i bet they’ll put 3 men to mark henry!
Alex
blah… tat referee kayu.
Paul
I watch the match and I thought Wenger and Henry were a bit too critical of the referee. Yes, he made quite a few errors but I thought they all even out.
But one thing sticks in my mind. Somebody mentioned at the Guardian that last year at the semifinal match between Liverpool and Chelsea also presented the goalkeeper fouling a player outside the box scenario. The offending player Peter Cech was not sent off then. Well, common sense should have prevailed as I think Wenger might accept being a goal down rather being a man down from 18th minute onward. It just spoiled the match really.
Having said that, I really was pleased as punch that Spurs got the floored by food poisoning. They really got nerves to ask for fair play after what happened at Highbury (the put the ball out of play rag).
Pat
Well, in the end it was a bit of a let down because the contest became a bit uneven after the send-off. But no complaints about that particular incident, it was a red card fair and square.
But the much vaunted Ronaldinho and Henry both only did okay on the night, making the contest scrappy with flashes of brilliance here and there.
Overall, not a classic in my books.