Barcelona vs Manchester United: 10 Things To Expect From Champions League Final

the final battle!

In the biggest match of the season two of the biggest clubs in Europe, Barcelona and Manchester United will face each other in the UEFA Champions League final this Saturday. There is a lot to prove for both the teams in this battle to take over the European supremacy. Two highly talented and successful sides have a lot of huge stars and there will be a lot of personal battles between the players. But before that let us take a light-hearted look at the possible things that could happen on the Saturday night at Wembley.

Scholes sees red for a tackle on Busquets:

feeble??

Of all the personal battles this match is about, the most interesting of all is between Paul Scholes and Sergio Busquets. Scholes is one of the toughest tackler at the middle of the pitch in the world and Busquets has, by now, earned a good name for inciting the referees to pick out the cards very soon with his theatrics. So it is very much possible that Scholes makes a sliding tackle and Busquets lie down holding any part of his body and writhing in pain inviting the referee to pick out the red card from his pocket. The post-match discussions everywhere boils with the debate on whether this time Busquets was really hurt or he has gained perfection with his theatrical skills with no conclusions anywhere.

Messi dodges past the whole defence to score a goal:

To be frank this is no more a rare scene as whenever Messi scores a goal he shows some of his inhuman skills. The Manchester United defence holds up every attack Barcelona makes before the tiny Argentine makes a run with the ball sticking to some part of his body from the centreline and scores part Van Der Sar much to the delight of the Barcelona fans.

Valdes and Piqué goof up passing in own penalty area:

Rooney charges for a ball on Piqué who passes it back to Valdes and the Catalan goalkeeper dodges past surging Rooney to pass it back to Piqué. But Javier Chicharito Hernandez runs from behind to take the ball away from Piqué and pass to Rooney who scores a simple goal. The dangerous passing between Piqué and Valdes has created many nervy moments throughout the season and this time with poaching strikers around, it may become more dangerous than earlier.

to shoot or not to shoot?

Iniesta gets confused in front of goal:

Andres Iniesta dodges past a few defenders to reach in front of the goal with just Van Der Sar in front and gets confused. Looks for and finds Messi with a 20 yard back pass, who then has to dodge past the same defenders again and score past Edwin Van Der Sar. And you can replace Iniesta with Xavi, Busquets or Villa to increase the probability of its occurrence.

Chicharito makes a lightening run to get beyond Barcelona defence:

Wayne Rooney gets the ball near the half line and Chicharito makes a fast run beyond the Barcelona defence. Before Piqué can see lightening fast Chicharito move and think of making a run, the Mexican scores past Victor Valdes and comes back celebrating.

Dani Alves takes a free kick:

The heading says it all. Dani Alves prepares himself as Barcelona gets a free kick outside the penalty box. Van Der Sar sets his human wall in front and the people sitting at the gallery behind the goalpost try to move away. But alas! Before everyone could shift their positions, Alves shoots and it goes and hits person sitting at the topmost sit beside the corner flag. Alves holds his face in despair and people doubt whether he tries to get another free kick or is sad for not kicking the ball beyond outside the stadium.

wait i m coming!!

Berbatov confuses Barcelona defence:

Trying to follow Mourinho’s advice of pressing high up in the pitch, Berbatov runs with his best speed behind the ball every time the Barcelona defenders passes the ball among themselves. Piqué gets the ball, Berbatov approaches him, Piqué passes to Puyol, Berbatov makes a run towards Puyol, Puyol passes to Busquets, gets the ball back, passes to Xavi, gets the ball back, Berbatov reaches him, Puyol gets confused, loses the ball. By the end of the match, the statistics show that Berbatov has won maximum number of balls from Barcelona defenders.

Bendtner scouts Manchester United and Barcelona:

Nicklas Bendtner is found watching the match in gallery to see which team he should go the next season. But none of the teams can impress the hugely talented player. A disheartened Bendtner says after the match, “I wanted to find out a team that could suit my playing style and where I could play the way I like. And what could be the better place than the Champions’ League Final where two best teams in Europe are plying their trades. But sadly, I wasn’t impressed with any of these teams and am not going to join either Barcelona or Manchester United this summer. I’ll have to look at more clubs. This is amazing and frustrating how no club plays good enough where I can show my style of play.”

Ferguson talks to Guardiola:

come to Manchester

Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson shakes hands with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola after Barcelona wins the match. Ferguson asks Guardiola when his contract with Barcelona is going to retire and promise him that he will carry on being the coach until Pep comes to Manchester to succeed him. “You have done a great job with these people. I have taught my bunch of kids everything and if you teach your passing game, this team will be invincible”. Guardiola gives his ‘Pepsimistic’ nod and says, “No, the things will be tough. There are 16 other good teams in the league and new teams will come up from lower division. It will be difficult to win matches.”

Arsene Wenger searches Barcelona camp:

Arsene Wenger comes worried after the match is over and starts searching luggage of the Barcelona team. Puyol asks, “Hey man! Are you searching for this?” Pointing towards the newly won Champions League trophy. Wenger gives a look at it and thinks but then says “No I don’t need it. Have you seen Cesc? I don’t believe you guys, you may have put him in your luggage and taking him as a stowaway.” After searching all over and double searching Piqué’s bag, Wenger goes to Pep. “You can keep the trophy. I’ll give you even the only one I have, The Emirates Cup. But do you have some young players? I really need some now. Nasri, Fabregas and Van Persie have become good players and they have to leave Arsenal now. I want some young promising talent.”

How could I leave Cesc alone!

To finish, whether these things happen or not the expectation will be to a good competition between the two teams who are in best form in the world now. I won’t expect a great display of football or skillful play because the last time I did so (during the el clasico chapter) got very poor return from the teams. And this match, with so much at stake, may end up being as dirty as those last month as well.