THE destination is Wembley on May 28, and it is the final that all the neutrals really wanted. English league leaders Manchester United will take on La Liga champions and the best side in the world, possibly even ever, Barcelona. It will be a repeat of their 2009 final and here’s hoping it will be a better contest than it was in Rome, when the Catalans romped to a 2-0 victory.
There is distinguished history within the setting for both teams too. Barcelona won their first European Cup at Wembley in 1992, when a Ronald Koeman free-kick beat Sampdoria in extra-time. Manchester United achieved a similar feat in 1968, with a Bobby Charlton inspired team overcoming Benfica 4-1, likewise in extra-time at Wembley. Sir Alex Ferguson will lead his side out on Europe’s premier stage for the fourth time in his reign as boss – whilst Pepe Guardiola was in the Barca team that won the 1992 Wembley final, and will become the youngest coach ever to win the Champions League twice should he succeed.
In midweek, both teams made light work of their second leg semi-finals, after handsome wins in the first games last week. Barcelona drew 1-1 with Real Madrid at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, in a game that was only slightly better behaved than the first game was. Jose Mourinho didn’t even turn up; he watched the game in a hotel room and he will be doing that more often next season; now that UEFA have given him a five-match touchline ban for his insulting comments at the post-match press conference last week. For the record, Pedro put Barcelona infront in the second half and although Angel di Maria did equalise on the night, Barcelona were the better team throughout both games. The eight point margin they have over Madrid currently in La Liga is very good value.
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| EASY: Anderson beats Neuer to put the seal on an easy tie |
Manchester United had the opportunity to rest the likes of Giggs, Vidic, Ferdinand and Rooney and still beat hapless Schalke 04 4-1 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. The 6-1 aggregate win didn’t flatter United; in fact, they could have won 16-1, if they’d put all their chances away! Schalke are below midtable in the Bundesliga, and despite accounting for Benfica, Valencia and Inter Milan in the competition this season, they have been shown up for their real quality in these two matches. Schalke are the worst ever side to have competed in the semis of the UEFA Champions League. There can be little doubt about that. Antonio Valencia, Darren Gibson and two goals from the dynamic Anderson registered on the evening for the home side, and despite Jose Manuel Jurado’s bullet strike before half-time, the German side offered very little resistance throughout. Even the unflappable Manuel Neuer made two mistakes for two of the goals on Wednesday, which summed up Schalke’s performance, forgettable!
The dream final has been set-up then, and let’s hope the 2011 UEFA Champions League final lives up to the spectacle that it promises to be.
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