UEFA CL SF 1L - Barcelona vs Manchester United - Apr 23

last SG · 2008-04-21T18:22:57+00:00

I wrote another long piece to refute your points then at the end of it I realise that whatever i say isn't going to make any difference towards your outlook...

Sienx SG

reality is that barca really do have better individuals then utd..but i will keep my faith when united lost 2-1 to roma everybody said they would nt make it due to the injuries and of cos roma was too strong in the end 7-1..so better then to keep thinking utd will lose and make myself feel worst i would rather think for the better 1

omgukilledkenny SG

Hargreaves, Anderson and van der Sar were all absent from United’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers yesterday at Ewood Park, while Rooney was forced from the pitch with a hip injury.

The England forward went down under a challenge from Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen midway through the second half, and seemed to move gingerly for a time afterwards. He was eventually replaced on 90 minutes by Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung.

Such a knock to their star striker will no doubt have United fans worried as the first leg of their blockbuster Champions League semi-final with Barca looms midweek, but Ferguson insists Rooney will be fit to play.

“Wayne got a knock on the hip but I’m sure it won’t keep him out of Wednesday night’s match,” Sir Alex told Setanta Sports.

“Sometimes when you get a kick on the bone it can be very sore at the time but I expect he’ll recover.”

zocoss SG

Leo: I'll Mess up United

BARCELONA superstar Leo Messi has told Alex Ferguson and Manchester United: “I’m coming to knock you out of the Champions League.” Struggling Barca are desperately looking to their Messi-ah for inspiration in Wednesday’s clash with United after the Argy ace recovered from a five-week lay-off with a thigh problem.

The winger played the second half of Barca’s goalless draw against Espanyol on Saturday and fired off a warning to rivals United. He said: “I am ready for United. I am well. The fans are waiting for me to show what I can do on Wednesday.

“I am calm and I’ve so much desire to be at my best and be able to offer my team the things I can bring on the pitch. “I am certain I will be even more determined in the game against Manchester which has special significance.”

Messi, 20, insisted that this game will not just be a duel between him and United ace Cristiano Ronaldo. He added: “Cristiano is a great player. He showed it last season and he’s showing it this season with many goals. “But the game is between Manchester and Barcelona, not between Ronaldo and me. It’s a game between two great teams.”

Messi missed the 2006 Champions League final win against Arsenal in Paris after getting injured. He admitted: “It’s true I still have a thorn inside me about the final. For that reason I want to win another Champions League with me playing in all the games.”

omgukilledkenny SG

Pretty confident Evra can match up with Messi.

Sienx SG

Robbo backs Reds

Former United captain Bryan Robson is tipping the Reds' fine form to take them past Barcelona and into this year's Champions League final.

Robson, who recently agreed to take on an ambassadorial role at Old Trafford, concedes that the Catalan giants will ask questions of Sir Alex Ferguson's side, but feels that United are on the crest of a wave going into the season's climax.

"They’ll be tough games because Barcelona have got outstanding players," Robson told Manutd.com. "They’ve got the likes of Eto’o, Messi, Ronaldinho and Henry, and they’re a great attacking team.

"But I’m sure United can trouble their defence with the forwards they’ve got. I think there will be goals in the games because of the style of the two teams, and I’ve got United down as favourites for the way they’re playing at the moment."

With the Reds three points clear at the Premier League summit, Robson is hopeful that they will have wrapped up another league title before Barcelona's second-leg visit to Old Trafford, allowing Sir Alex Ferguson to focus on masterminding a Double.

"Hopefully United will have tied up the Premier League before the second leg has come around. If they win both then it would definitely be deserved, after the way they’ve played," said Robson.

"In every game they've played in Europe this season, they've deserved the result they've got. In the league they’ve been playing some great football, and you can tell how dominant they’ve been just by looking at the goal difference and points tally they’ve racked up."

iceFatboy SG

Pretty confident Evra can match up with Messi.

I still recall the time when Barca played Chelsea and Messi got someone sent off with a "fall"..

I hope Evra picks up on that.

Sienx SG

I still recall the time when Barca played Chelsea and Messi got someone sent off with a "fall"..

I hope Evra picks up on that.

messi right or left ?...evra plays on the left though so he will mark the right

zocoss SG

YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU ... Eto'o wants support.

BARCELONA have recorded a TV advert BEGGING their fans to turn up and support them against Manchester United.

The Catalan giants believe a feelgood factor in the stands will inspire the team to a first-leg victory on Wednesday night.

And Barca chiefs are banking on the video, featuring star players Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes, to ensure they do not face a fan backlash after the game.

In the advert, striker Eto'o says: "To score goals we will need all your strength."

And suspended skipper Puyol insists: "Fans, I will not be able to play but I will be one of you.

"When the team comes out to warm up they have to feel our warmth."

sand king SG

Henry down with fever.

zocoss SG

Hospital trip: Vidic is thought to have gone to a local hospital with a stomach complaint.

Manchester United's preparations for their Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona were thrown into chaos on Tuesday night after defender Nemanja Vidic missed training amid reports that he had been taken to hospital with a stomach complaint.

Sportsmail can reveal that United's Serbian central defender took no part in preparations at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, along with fellow defender Wes Brown who was also absent from the first team squad.

It was initially thought that Vidic had succumbed to the knee complaint that he suffered in Rome three weeks ago and kept him out of action for a fortnight.

But it was suggested in Spain late last night that the defender had in fact visited a Barcelona hospital for treatment after going down with a stomach problem.

A United spokesperson could neither confirm or deny the reports, but it is clear that United manager Alex Ferguson faces an anxious wait to see if Vidic is ready for Wednesday's crucial tie against Frank Rijkaard's team.

There was no suggestion on Tuesday that Vidic had been detained in the hospital and it is believed that he was back with his teammates by nightfall at their hotel on the outskirts of the city.

Dead_Man_Inc SG

food poison?

zocoss SG

Three key Nou Camp battles

BARCELONA’S defence is really going to struggle with the blistering pace of United’s front three and the absence of suspended skipper Carles Puyol will hit them even harder. Rafael Marquez deputises at centre-back and Wayne Rooney will look to drag him all over the place and create space in the box for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo to exploit. Mexican Marquez will use all his experience to frustrate Rooney. But Rooney must not allow himself to be drawn into a war. If he keeps a cool head and focuses, he will definitely come out on top.

A CRACKING confrontation between two of the most talented players in the game. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world right now. There is no one to touch him. He’ll relish the chance to electrify this match. He’s scored seven goals in the Champions League this season and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t get at least one in this semi-final. But Xavi is a man United must fear. All Barcelona’s play flows through this fella and if Michael Carrick and Co don’t get to grips with him, he could cause havoc.

LIONEL MESSI’S return from his recent thigh injury is a huge boost to Barcelona’s hopes. They’ve really missed this guy in recent weeks. The speedy Argentine will be looking to cut in from the right wing and get between Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. Evra has to show Messi the outside at all times and make sure he doesn’t get any decent crosses in to Samuel Eto’o and Bojan Krkic. If United can isolate Messi out wide, Barcelona will suffer. Evra has made a huge improvement this season but this is probably his biggest test so far.

zocoss SG

BARCELONA have to go for it tonight but Frank Rijkaard cannot throw all caution to the wind because he knows United can rip his defence apart on the counter-attack.

United certainly won’t sit back and defend.

Their top priority will be to secure at least one away goal and go back to Old Trafford in control of the tie.

NANI and Patrice Evra will both miss the second leg for United if they are booked tonight while Barcelona stars Lionel Messi, Rafael Marquez, Yaya Toure and Gabriel Milito are all one yellow card away from suspension.

zocoss SG

LEO MESSI has taunted Manchester United, claiming Barcelona can pass them off the pitch even without crocked ace Ronaldinho.

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho misses tonight’s Nou Camp battle with a groin problem.

Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry, 30, is fit after recovering from a fever and will face his old Premier League foes tonight.

Barca boss Frank Rijkaard said: “This is the game of the season for us.

“It’s very important, affects everything we’ve done this season.

“But this Barcelona team has the chance to write history. This is a game between Europe’s two best attacks.”

hiphop2009 SG

i hoping michael carrick and co will do their best, dats all.

T.Ryousuke SG

At the moment ManU r on fire and with all the luck.

Even tonite end with a Barce win, ManU for sure will have a place in final cos FIFA already bank in the cheque from SAF liao.

So mean Chelsea and ManU in Final, see who have the highest bid will get it.

iceFatboy SG

At the moment ManU r on fire and with all the luck.

Even tonite end with a Barce win, ManU for sure will have a place in final cos FIFA already bank in the cheque from SAF liao.

So mean Chelsea and ManU in Final, see who have the highest bid will get it.

halo, wake up, the UCL is by UEFA not FIFA...

no one can beat Roman's black oil.. let's not go there okie?

iceFatboy SG

LEO MESSI has taunted Manchester United, claiming Barcelona can pass them off the pitch even without crocked ace Ronaldinho.

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho misses tonight’s Nou Camp battle with a groin problem.

Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry, 30, is fit after recovering from a fever and will face his old Premier League foes tonight.

Barca boss Frank Rijkaard said: “This is the game of the season for us.

“It’s very important, affects everything we’ve done this season.

“But this Barcelona team has the chance to write history. This is a game between Europe’s two best attacks.”

to be fair, if Barca on fire, then it will be hard for any team to stay with them.

but if both teams on fire, then a good match for all then.

Sienx SG

i'll go for a 2-2 draw though

Master -_- SG

I reckon all United fans will be staying up for this..

Im predicting a 4 - 1 win for Manchester United

17" Ronaldo 28" Xavi

35" Rooney

52" Rooney

73" Tevez

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