Champions League Final 2011

Is it possible to dream of a more fitting finale to the dramatic novel that is the Uefa Champions League?

This match up has the makings of an epic battle, and few would speak foul of either of these teams reaching where they have and achieving what they have this season (besides every Real Madrid fan and “Jose”).

England yet again has a representative in the final, and with the exception of last years final in the Santiago Bernabeau, has contested the trophy since 2004/05 with Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all reaching this stage since then. If that doesn’t show the growth of English clubs then I don’t know what will.

Spain, being tied currently with Italy for the most successful nation in the competition will be itching to get their 13th victory in the finals, and add even more fuel to the fire that labels their league the best in the world, and by extension the best international team.

The great debate – Pedigree?

Of course it is quite strange when many discuss the success of the clubs, and the leagues they hail from what items are usually discredited and overlooked in an attempt to establish superiority. I myself in recent “discussions” which were more like mini gang wars, have produced stats, figures, historical facts about the English league, only to have them laughed off by those members of the Spanish and Italian contingent.

With all due respect, those supporters of La Liga and Serie A, have bragging rights, and historically boast the most successful leagues in the competition, although clustered between few clubs in their leagues. The old time fear of “Italian Defense” has somehow been replaced in recent years with the fear of the fast paced play and physicality of the English teams.

With the exception of Barcelona, Spanish teams have not instilled the fear factor that is becoming of this so called "best league in the world." In many seasons past, the best performer remains Barcelona, as the only Spanish team to consistantly reach the latter stages of the tournament. Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, has finally gotten over the Lyon jinx and reached the Semi's for the first time since 2003, beating Manchester United on their way to eventually losing to Juventus in the Semi Final. Valencia, Athletico, Villareal and Sevilla have all made appearances in the second round of the tournament, without really reaching any further.

A closer look into the history of European domination shows that not only can England contest for the best league based on recent performance, but by historical as well.
By countries,

Nation Winners Runner Up Winning Clubs
Italy 12 14 Milan (7), Inter (3), Juventus(2)

Spain 12 9 Real Madrid (9), Barcelona (3)
England 11 6 Liverpool (5), Man Utd (3), Nott. Forest(2), Aston Villa (1)

Looking at this table, it may open the eyes a bit to those fans which seem to think that the English league is so far behind. It has been the recent exploits of the “Big Four” which have established the league as such a contender. Being only one win away from equaling the tally of the other two “Super Leagues” a win for Manchester would not only be a great feat for the club, but for English football in general, and should eliminate that stigma that English teams don’t have the pedigree that the other teams have. Also, have 4 different winners of the tournament, compared to the 2 of Spain, shows that the English league is more competitive, and over the years, status quo can change very easily. Spain in my opinion is the Scottish league across the channel, as it is almost always a two horse race between Barcelona and Real Madrid with little or no challenge from other teams.

Now persons will still argue that that doesn’t count, because Nottingham Forest an Aston Villa are nowhere now, and they were lucky and their wins were way back in the 70’s and 80’s. Hmm, well then can’t I then discredit Real Madrid’s first 5 wins? As they were the first 5 tournaments ever held, with little competition and seeing as those were way back in the 50’s shouldn’t they also be discredited? NO!

So before you jump to discredit the English teams, remember that one can discredit any other league in the same way.

Did you know that from the 1977/78 season right up until the 1981/82 season only English teams won the tournament? Probably not, yet that period of English dominance was never gratified or recognized by footballing bodies or “experts.” However if today Spain were to have 4 straight European Champions league victories they would be labeled as the world best league hands down.

It has been a long standing problem in my eyes that England, much like English clubs are hated the world over, and is not given the credit where credit is due. Just as in my previous article about why people hate Manchester united, the same can go for why they hate English leagues. The fans and supporters of the English league always seem to go running their mouth, the lack of history, the players themselves, the lack of actual English players, are all reasons they use but none of this matters if they have the facts and ability to back it up on the field, which the English league has done over the past few years.

Back to the Discussion

Is there a clear favorite for the final? Are Barcelona a master class act, or just an act? Will Manchester United finally show up this season and put in a performance worthy of champions? Will Sir Alex prove his knowledge of the game and lift his 4th European trophy?

Barcelona

Free flowing, ultimate possession, embarrassment of talent all describe the style of play that Barcelona has come to display. It’s not a shock to see the final stats of their games where they can boast 75% possession over the opposition and run out 4-0 winners on a regular basis. Lionel Messi, Perdo, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and Alves ensure that the goals keep coming, in its finest form, whereas Puyol, Pique, Abidal and Mascherano ensure that their goalkeeper Valdez goes mostly untested for much of the season.

Is there a weak link in this Barcelona team? Is there any way that a team can pinpoint a specific area and come away with a win? Real Madrid seemed to have been on to something, thanks in large part to The Special One, but sadly for them the refs had something to say about it.

Yes, Barca have unfortunately, most recently become labeled as the cry-boys of modern football, but play acting aside, this team is the greatest show on earth. Probably the most watched team globally of recent, Barcelona have written themselves into the history books already with their style of play, and players they possess. Teams can only wish to have the vision that their midfield posses, and can only dream of having a “Lionel Messi” in their team on a weekly basis. The Argentine hit man has been as lethal as ever this season and seems to score at will. Any team faced with the daunting task of playing Barcelona would be understandably petrified of facing players of the caliber of Xavi, Messi and Iniesta.

If Pep can get his team to play the way they have all season, whereby they dominate the possession and dictate the play, then Manchester United should be no different to any team they have overcome this season. Truly a great team, this Manchester fan can’t do much to deny them the glory and plaudits they so greatly deserve.

Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has become quite a feared name in Europe and will be leading his fourth group of players to the biggest stage in Europe. Although being deemed a weak United team, they have proven their critics wrong this season by topping the English League, as well as reaching the final in emphatic fashion with the largest margin of victory for a semi final stage of the competition. Although there will be no sniff of a treble, the club can still be proud of the success of this season, even without the great Cristiano Ronaldo. They have proved that the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are priceless, and experience can always prevail.

Do United deserve the label as underdogs in this final? NO! This club has sneaked under everyone’s radar of recent with outstanding play, and even more unlikely goal scorers. The recent rejuvenation so to speak of Ryan Giggs and the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia and Ji Sung Park, and the impressive season long displays from Nani have propelled United to the position they find themselves at the moment. Special mention must be made of the little pea, as Hernandez has been thrust onto the European stage during his first season with the club, and has stood the test.

United’s never say never attitude, and their constant attacking threat seem to give them an angle that can be used to defeat the mighty Barcelona. The question though is no so much United’s ability to score, but their ability to prevent Barcelona from scoring on them. Can the likes of Rio and Vidic, who have had a great season, stop Messi or Xavi from running through the United backline?

As a United supporter I would like to say yes, as I believe Vidic and Rio to be good enough to stop anyone, but the key part of that word being “one”. With 5 or 6 world class attacking players constantly barraging the United defense for 90mins, one may question not if, but when will Barcelona score.

The Winner

I personally am a fan for the sport first and United second. I of course will be supporting my boys until I die, as my blood is red from birth. But in all I will like football to be the eventual winner of this night in Wembley, and wish that the footballing spectacle we are to witness can be something we will savor for years to come.

Bearing that in mind, I hope the better football would be played by United, and predict that the Red Devils run out 2-1 winners in extra time.

The threat that United pose this season was evident in their demolition of Schalke, and ability to outclass Chelsea over two legs. This is a different United team from 2009, and the team is playing a different style than that of old. A more direct attacking play, with natural out an out wingers, with the gifted and natural finishers upfront mean that any chance given by Barcelona can be easily snapped up by the United frontline, who make no mistake infront of goal.

Who do you think will take it this year???

HAVE YOUR SAY!!!!