Not surprisingly Monday’s furour about the Luzhniki Stadium pitch appears to have died away as we now hear that it is going to be just fine. From the equivalent of a neglected public park pitch to no problem in 48 hours – a miracle indeed.
Perhaps the field condition was more a product of a journalist or two who found themselves in Moscow on Monday with nothing to write about until the teams arrived later in the day.
Now comfortable in the knowledge that billions of dollars of talent will not disappear down a sink hole in Moscow I can now safely turn my attention to the game this afternoon.
The problem is that with less than five hours to kick off and I am no closer to deciding who I think is the going to be the 2008 Champions of Europe. I have had a sneaking su####ion about Chelsea since the draw for the last sixteen was made but on the other hand I treat Manchester United in a final as I do the Old Firm – never bet against them.
So in an attempt to come to a decision of Chelsea or Manchester United here are the advantages that each side brings with them to the battle.
Chelsea 1. Didier Drogba – even more so than Ronaldo, Drogba has an unerring ability to lay low for most of a match but to still step up and decide the outcome. His strength and pace makes it impossible to ignore him.
2. Michael Ballack – Player of the Year in England if it was based on the last eight weeks. His positional play has been excellent and when not arguing with Drogba over free kicks the timing of his runs into the penalty box are reminiscent of former United great Bryan Robson.
3. Frank Lampard – criticized for the apparent high number of deflected goals he should be praised for adhering to old adage that if you don’t shoot you don’t score. What’s more when Lampard gets within 30 yards of goal watch how many defenders try to shut him down – no wonder he gets goals from deflections as well as creating gaps for the other Chelsea players to take advantage of.
4. Aerial power – Ballack, Carvalho, Drogba, Terry are all excellent in the air and every set piece for Chelsea will present and real and present danger to United.
5. No other English team has enjoyed a better record against Manchester United than Chelsea and that holds true even before the arrival of Roman Abramovich’s interest free loan.
Manchester United 1. Ronaldo – if United can get him the ball early in the game and he can settle into a rhythm then he can be the match-winner. Cole has played well against him in the past so it will be interesting to see which wing Fergie starts him on.
2. Rio Ferdinand – simply the best defender in England over the last season.
3. Patrice Evra – With a license to get forward that Chelsea appears to be unwilling to give to their full backs the Frenchman can exploit the spaces that the normally narrow Chelsea formation provides.
4. Edwin van der Saar – the Dutchman’s kicking skills have been identified as a weakness by many but it is his ability to find players with quick long throws that might be more pivotal.
5. Mobility – The constant movement used by United means that an opposition defense cannot drop concentration for a moment.
Line Ups Michael Essien at right back appears to be the way that Chelsea will go with Malouda or Kalou a tactical decision and Cole or Bridge a fitness decision.
The speculation on the United line up is whether or not Ferguson buttresses his midfield with Owen Hargreaves. Bringing Hargreaves in would in my opinion be a clear signal that Ferguson would be happy to accept a saw-off in midfield and rely on his wide players and Rooney to win it for him.
A more aggressive strategy - and gamble - would be to start Tevez and Rooney in attack with Tevez being asked to hassle and upset Makelele as he sits just in front of the Chelsea back four. The downside of starting Tevez is that it takes away an option to change the game by way of the substitutes bench.
Bobby,
How about the game ending in PKs? Can you see that happening? If it goes to PKs, do you United have the advantage there (Community Shield 2007)?
When are you going to write something about Spurs?
They're now linked through the media as being about to sign something in the neighbourhood of 60 or 70 players. How can they keep a squad this size happy? Or even properly fed?
I'll be standing talking to parents at a rain soaked field during try-outs with a big stupid Chesire cat grin on my face. WOW!!!! Thank you Mr. Terry.
(I knew Ronaldo would over think his kick. He always goes lower left. He knew Cech knew that so...he tries something else and blew it!)
why did terry take the pen, he wanted a publicity stunt and wanted the headlines.just like pressure pen was not given to giggs, these methods of wanting to be a hero are suicidal
Terry fell on his bum as he planted his foot, it was a shame as he was terrific during the match and ET.
VDS guessed wrong Terry shot wide, it's unfortunate.
Squeaky bum.
Congrats to Manu. Ronaldo, well what can you say about the lad. nice header and lollipops. turning his back to his teammates during the pk's after his miss then falling to the pitch bawling and staying there when they all ran off to celebrate with VDS,
hmmm.
Drogba, what a fool. Dare say that's the last time he'll be wearing blue.
All in all I couldn't figure out if I was watching a rugby match from Yorkshire or an EPL match.
Let's hope 2 EPL sides aren't in the final next year.
Again congrats to Manu and their supporters. A bloody good season for the Mancs and for Chelsea as well considering they lost the "Great One" early on and were managed by a tactical meat head the rest of the way.
Ronaldo's goal was a thing of beauty... United should have had a 2 or 3 goal lead in the first half, were definitely the better team. Lampard's goal gets chalked up to shotty defending.
But fear not Chelsea fans, granted they didn't deserve the goal they did score, they absolutely deserved one in the second half, so a 1-1 score after 90 minutes is dead on.
Lamps hits the post in extra time, Giggs gets one saved by Terry (why he didn't just power the ball in is beyond me)...
Drogba has to know better than that, FIFA and UEFA have been very consistent about dealing with things like that, and the refs absolutely got that escapade right.
The only complaint I had about the refs, was they seemed to go to the whistle too quickley, instead of letting the game build more of a flow. Other than that they did a fantastic job.
Penalties: Ronaldo- Stop with the stutter step, just keep your rhythm and place the ball where you want it, and the goalie won't save it anyway.
Terry- Epic Fail, dude... Epic Fail
Anelka- It honestly was a well taken penalty, just happened to put it where VDS was going... It was unfortunate
Overall on the day, both teams showed why they deserved to be there, both teams played like champions, both teams deserved to win the trophy.
Kinda getting sick of PK shootouts. Theres gotta be a better way to tweak the game going into OT that it doesn't end like that. Honestly making them play till they feint might be a better result. Especially since once it gets into OT the teams usually get even more cagey and settle for them.
Add 2 subs and make it two 30 min halfs? I dunno the drama of a shootout is high but it still a horrible way to settle a game.
My point really is it becomes sometimes negative once OT begins as both teams who most likely already played a cagey game get even more regressive. Cagey is being nice also. Lets be honest both sides today were happy to take jabs at each other on attacks more importantly at getting each other booked. Tevez wanted to get a quick one Ballack got up in his face to wind the situation up and Chelsea were caught doing the worst. Its really at that point where the beautiful game becomes an ugly one. I would honestly love a league to try some new rules and tweaks. No PK's No replay its ending today no matter how ugly the goal is so get out there and play.
oh yea maybe even bring back the golden goal. I know we all love when someone does score in OT and it creates a chaos for the other team to come back but honestly how often does that happen. Maybe the added incentive that their are no PK's and the first team to score takes it could get the job done. Works for hockey ;P
Very exciting match, Man Utd were probably the best team in the competition, even though they scraped all the way through. But what a classless display by the red devils today, especially considering their opponents were a fellow English team. Taking cheap shots, elbowing, Teves' behavior leading up to the red card, Van der Sar's amateurish gamesmanship during the PK's. Any other country would be embarrassed.
I am getting tired of penalties too. It beats a coin flip, but there has to be a better alternative. Shame for Terry, shame Drogba couldn't take it, shame Ronaldo had to take one, even though it was great to see the best player in the world on display in such a big final.
Jay:
Actually, Chelsea kicked the ball out of play so a player could get treatment. Teves returned the ball by conceding a throw in deep in Chelsea's end and then incited his team mates to pressure the throw in. Ballack and Terry understandibly took exception. Again, very classy stuff.
What does the rule book say if a player slips while taking a penalty due to poor pitch conditions and just barely touches the ball as he falls, knocking the ball a few feet ahead of him without enough momentum to even trickle over to the keeper?
Chelsea literally had the cup in their hands and said no here Manchester United. All the stars were aligned in the sky, Ronaldo missed his penalty everyone on the Chelsea team made theirs and I said yes Chelsea is going to win lo and behold I saw Terry walking to the ball I said where is he going he is not a penalty shooter where is Essien where is Kalou. I said to myself this cannot be for real, this is going to be the only chance Chelsea will ever get of winning the CL, not Terry I just knew when I saw Terry I said Manchester United has won the CL. Then he ran up kicked the ball then I gasp no he missed. From then I said again Manchester United has won the CL. Everything was aligned for Chelsea to win it and they blew it once again I shall repeat Chelsea will never get a better chance of winning the CL like the chance they had today May 21, 2008 never. I feel it for Ballack and Lampard. Ballack broke down and started to cry and I said Ballack it's Terry's fault!
Last edited by ReggaeGunner on May 21st at 6:01 PM.
Its ok to get mad but how they did was a perfect example of the type of tactics teams are willing to sink to in a huge game especially in OT. They crowded him got in his face and pretty much attempted to start a riot. Result their own player got sent off. It was shades of the WC 2006 final all over again. If playing soccer fails instigate other players into violence.
edit: the proper reaction to that stuff especially if your not involved is to squarely place your butt on the turf and take a rest. where the altercation took place Drogba had to run at least half pitch over to get involved for what reason other then trying to escalate the situation.
please talk about the pks that the ref did not call on J Cole & Malouda.
Glad to see that i was watching the right game. The game was nail biting and enjoyable.The ref was the biggest influence, did not let the game flow as a final should.The worst ref for drogba, A cole played the best game for a long time(not a fan of).ps i am cfc fan.
Last edited by divinemason on May 22nd at 5:51 PM.
Don't know why a penalty wasn't called on Ferdinand, especially when the linesman was flagging.
As for the earlier comment hoping there wouldn't be two English sides again next year...What? So you don't like end-to-end stuff with tough physical play and players actually showing enthusiasm. In fact, of the three same country finals that I've seen this has been by far the best(Valencia-Real was a blowout and Juve-Milan was a borefest).
Back to the game...I hate saying this but is there any doubt that Ronaldo is the best attacking player on the planet?
VVV if you don't watch much United then I'll let you in on a little secret...the scum are very classless. It starts at the manager and works its way down.
And why is Terry taking the penalty? Matterrazzi in the making?
Man of the Match for me...ugghhh this is tough but I'll go with Peter Cech. If not for him United lead 4-0 and Chelsea don't even take it to penalties.
Oh and I feel sorry for Frank. Should've had two, unlucky in extra time, and would've been a great story because of what happened with his mom.
Last edited by LetsGoBuffalo on May 21st at 6:26 PM.
As much as I dislike Drogba, the red card was an awful decision. Given how much he let go during the match, the ref overreacted in that case; a yellow would have been plenty.
LGB: I try not to watch Man Utd as much as possible.
Malouda had a legitimate claim for a penalty; I don't remember the J Cole incident.
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on May 21st at 6:32 PM.
Ronaldo says, "He wants to play for a real club..." and then signs with Stoke City.
Adebayor scores more own goals than goals next year.
United get a man sent off and two penalties called against them and Sir Alex applauds the referee saying,"He had a good game. Just because we're United doesn't mean we should get every call our way."
Before the first Liverpool-Chelsea game, Mascherano shakes Steve Bennett's hand and wishes him luck. Bennett then issues him a red card sending him off.
Liverpool wins the quadruple.
Jose Mourinho decides to be the Portugese manager after a terrible showing in 2008 and decides to bring Lampard, Essien and Drogba with him.
And finally...
LetsGoBuffalo will go an entire season without having a confrontation on Bobby's blog.
If you're a gambling man those are as good as gold:)
The JCole one was when Rio decided a flying ninja kick was the best option to win the ball and he was completely off, almost skewering Cole and landing on him. Cole tried to play on as he was in great position and the play died but it was pretty clear the linesman was ready to flag a foul if Cole went to ground but he didn't.
The Drogba slap was a red by the book but yea you really hate to see the ref being forced to get involved in such an important game. Drogba shouldn't of been there anyways but then again Vidic neither. Maybe some rules/fines/suspensions for trying to instigate riots to get people sent off. In hockey the defense men are not allowed past the circles at the end of most plays to avoid the non stop scrums.
LGB - To be fair, Fergie agreed with Nani being sent off against West Ham. So cut the stuff about classless. Arsenal have more yellows than Utd since Wenger took over. Liverpool isn't exactly sporting either.
VVV - Gessing you missed the Chelsea incident(s) where they weren't sporting with their throw ins. Don't remember exactly when in the match, except it was before the Tevez incident, but it was eye for an eye re: Tevez.
Exciting game to say the least. not the best but still pretty good. Chelsea were good opponents and deserved something but only one team can win and the best team all competition won .
Warrior
Defender
Captain
Dragging your wounded body onto the field of battle
Faltulent hippos would make better penalty takers than you though.
Typically fu_cking ENglish, you had the stars in your hand and threw them away.
Have a good cry you ####, you'll never get that opportunity again.
Everyone was giving you some meaningless platitudes and encouragement after your shiite penalty didn't even find the target.
They should have sent you to Coventry, turned their backs on you in digsust.
Fat Franks face was a picture (just before Chelse went to collect their loser medals) hollow, gaunt, heavy with defeat and aghast with incredulity at the incredible gift given to the red devils.
The game was pretty average. A few highlights and a lot of footage only fit for the cutting room floor.
FLASH
DC UNITED or Jekyll and Hyde United? Who really knows who'll turn up?
You get the pleasure of seeing the mighty Hammers in July.
Spurs were ill served this year by having a manager who refused to do interviews despite bening able to converse in english.
It robbed the club of something (which Poyet's garbled shiite really couldn't replace).
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Wow at some of the comments on here, especially by the butthurt United haters trying to call them classless...
Point is simple, regardless of how that whole escapade started, Drogba HAS to know better than to slap an opposing player... It ends there... He should have been sent off for it, it was the right call, and anyone who wants to #### about it is wasting their time.
How many chances do you get to kick one ball and make a season, a career or even just a very important penalty kick.
Stepping up and taking the penalty is being seen as a credit to Terry's guts and determination. Which is laudable until you realize that not only did Terry not have enough of either attribute; he also displayed no technical prowess in his run up, foot plant and strike of the ball at all.
The Penalty Shootout is a cruel way to end a game as Terry was bloody good throughout the first 120 minutes.
Kalou would have buried that fifth penalty kick and everyone would still be praising Terry for his clearance of Giggs late attempt etc.
BOTTOM LINE
If you aren't any good at penalty kicks then don't take them until you practice.
He probably just cost Grant his job.
LGB
Perhaps Sarcasm 101 would be appropriate.
What managers have class?
POSTSCRIPT
Not that I really care who won last night, I'm just glad United won so we get more cash from the sale of Rooney.
TONY ADAMS
Can't think of a better place to learn the trade than under 'Arry. The Ex Gunner is going to extend his deal with Pompey.
Any Gunners have any thoughts on the post playing career ot TA?
Liverpoolfc73 - The penalty is considered taken and missed although under your scenario it would not stop a quick minded team mate running into the box (after the initial touch) and shooting before it reached the goalkeeper. The ground conditions are not relevant and even if the penalty spot was covered by a pool of water the ball still has to be placed on the spot.
Yes please someone explain what Tevez did that was disgraceful? It seemed to me that gave as good as he got but didn't lose his head. It also seemed to me that 4 Blues rushed him when the melee with Drog started.
Bottom line Chelsea have been bullying teams since Mourinho arrived. Tevez was just a little tougher than the poofters Arsenal line up.
C. Ronaldo had two chances (PK in the Semis and PK in the Finals) to prove his class and sign his name on one of the best seasons any player has had in a very long time. Yet again he cracked under the pressure and almost cost Man U the champions league. The above statement is something that i have been telling my friends for a while now.
C. Ronaldo is not a big game player! He has proved nothing at the Euros or World Cup and look what he did in the CL. I think he still has a lot of work to do, if he would like to be mentioned in the same book as all the greats.
My boy Tevez took 75 minutes to warm but he certainly finished strong, looked like he could play another 90'. Made Rooney look a bit part player. I could hear the Mancs screaming when Rooney was pulled, but it was the correct decision he was invisible and fading.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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