UEFA Champions League/Europa League 3/4/5 May *** Spoilers ***
- Thread starter Cosimo
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Caporegime
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Super, super Anderson 
Looked so confident once he got the first. I think Evans played well tonight.
Looked so confident once he got the first. I think Evans played well tonight.
to be fair I heard a few chants in both halves from the home crowd pretty clearly
3rd goal probably killed the match early if it was even ever alive ( given the team selection it seemed to be)
Soldato
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Another good performance. We have nothing to lose in the final so I just hope we take our chances if they come and give a good account of ourselves. If we play to our strengths I think we can hurt Barca.
Still, 3 CL finals in 4 years is an enormous credit to Fergie.
Still, 3 CL finals in 4 years is an enormous credit to Fergie.
We've a European Cup to lose. It doesn't get much bigger tbh.
if that was the case then he wouldn't be dropped then would he
Soldato
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We're massive underdogs because of the hype surrounding Barcelona - they have everything to prove. Having said that, Barcelona didn't look great against Real in any of the previous four games. In our favour, we have a far better defence than Real - I wouldn't swap any of our five for theirs. We also have an attack that doesn't need a lot of the ball to score. I expect us to sit pretty deep and have to soak up a lot of pressure, but with our pace on the break the Barca back four won't be able to sit on the half way line like usual, and if they do we can exploit it.
I'm not confident going into the final but I expect it will be decided by one goal either way.
totally agree, nani looked interested for about 10 mins im second half otherwise hogged the ball too long or just wasnt as creative as he should be
Gibson did ok, pass for AVs goal was great but his own goal was more a Neuer mistake really and his passing ( like Berba really) was hit and miss tonight
Smalling did well, really unlucky for their goal with a lucky ricochet to set it up. Didnt see replay for his offside goal, but it appeared harsh ruling
Hope Raf recovers quickly,Oshea is ok but would be disappointed if latter is in the final. Evans was a concern at ko but did ok.
Giggs, Valencia, Fletcher Carrick will all start the final if fit imo rest of the team arent in question imo
Soldato
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Rooney and Hernandez have to start too but that would mean Park misses out.
Caporegime
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Bah! Fell asleep at 6 and missed the match. 
The 2 best teams in Europe slugging it out, you can't ask for more than that really
It was a shame they didn't put on a better show last night though.
I can't see him going 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 against Barcelona.
More likely to see Rooney up front on his own, 3 man midfield and 2 wingers.
Trying to pick a team is going to be nigh on impossible tbh, arguments can be made for about 14 different players.... We'll need a lot of luck in the final maybe the ref will let us play them all
Now, now lets not come across as bitter Barry.
3 CL finals in 4 years I would say classes as the second best team in Europe.
That's what I think as well, but on the flip side I think Hernandez is our best chance of scoring against them
Fergie probably already knows who he's going to play anyway mind
Soldato
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Wouldn't surprise me to see that but I worry it's too negative. I suppose on the flipside it gives us Chich to come on at 60 minutes against a tiring defence.
I wouldnt be surprised if Park starts as welll, and Chicharito is a sub
(I can see arguements for 4-4-2, and 4-5-1 and I really dont know which one SAF will choose)
Maybe it will be Park, Giggs, Carrick and Valencia across the middle - but esp after two years ago I cant see Fletcher missing out - we will know in 24 days time lol
The interesting thing that just occured to me just now is that before the 2009 final Barca werent the Undisputed favourites;
1) They werent as good as they are now
2) Messi certainly wasnt as good as he is now (maybe only a few % down but arguably enough)
3) Utd had won the previous season's final after beating Barca in the semi (admittedly totally different tactics required) and got to 2nd final in two season
.......and Utd play better as an under-dog (and with a more balanced side, with (hopefully) a full squad to choose from - ie no suspensions , I dont see why Utd cant put on a better game than 24 months ago (and hopefully the officials are more aware of Barca's "games" than in their semis)
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