I love championship games no matter what the sport. Put on the Stanley Cup and, even though I never watch the NHL, all of a sudden I’m the biggest hockey fan on the planet (call me the Latino Barry Melrose). So, when I actually like a sport, let’s just say I get a little pumped for championship games. Which brings us to soccer, and the UEFA Champions League Finals. The 2009 version pits Manchester United (England’s Premier League) versus Barcelona (Spain’s La Liga). Two of the most popular teams in the world vying for Europe’s top club prize…can life get any better? With the championship looming, let’s break down what to watch for in the Man U versus Barcelona Champions League clash.
Side note: In case you don’t know, the UCL kind of works like a post-season on steroids (in a good way) in which the top clubs from across Europe play in a multi-format tournament (round robin/single elimination) that culminates in a championship game.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi: Basically the Kobe and LeBron of international soccer and many fans feel the UCL Finals will finally settle the “Ronaldo or Messi” debate. Like Kobe, Man U’s Ronaldo holds the edge in prior accomplishments (UCL titles, Player of the Year awards), but Barca’s Messi looks like the sport’s next big baller (aka King James). While it’s tough to determine the “World’s Best” title on one game, no doubt the performance of both Messi and Ronaldo in the UCL Finals will be remembered forever.
Barca’s Three Strike Attack: Yup, while most clubs feel good about rocking one world-class goal scorer, Barca pimps tres – Messi, Thierry Henry, and Samuel Eto’o. Of the three, only Messi appears to be playing in top form right now, but you get the feeling that a Finals match-up against Man U will be able to pull Henry and Eto’o out of their respective funks (if not, neither dude deserves the “world-class” label).
The Return of Rio: If Barcelona’s Terrible Tres bring the heat, Man U’s ability to spot the Spanish club’s attack rests mainly on the shoulders of one man…Rio Ferdinand. Arguably one of the best defenders in the world, Ferdinand hurt his calf during the semi-final match-up against Arsenal and now makes his return after weeks of being on the sidelines.
Barca’s Lack of Defense: Sure, Man U’s got some worries with Ferdinand, but Barca’s defense might actually be even a bigger question mark. The Spanish side enters Wednesday’s match-up without the services of Mexico’s Rafael Marquez (injured) and Dani Alves and Eric Abidal (both suspended). Not good news for Barcelona considering Man U flexes some serious offensive muscle powered by Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
British Domination: Of the four teams in the semi-final round, three came from the England’s Premier League (Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United). In other words, the British squads dominated the tournament (for the second year in a row) and further strengthened the argument for the EPL being the top football league on the planet.
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