Champions League Final Preview
As the season comes to a close, all that is left is the duel between English Premier League champions Manchester United and La Liga champions Barcelona. This coming Saturday, May 28th, is the date set for the match, which will take place at Wembley Stadium in England. Both teams won their respective leagues, and a win in Saturday's game would ensure each side their double. Manchester United lost the FA cup semi final against rivals Manchester City, the eventual winners of the tournament, and Barcelona lost to Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey. The two sides know each other quite well as the two faced off in Rome two years ago in the final of the same competition. Aside from Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer from Manchester United, David Villa's arrival to Barcelona, and Chicharito's arrival to Manchester United, the two sides remain essentially the same.
Edwin van der Sar, who announced his retirement from professional football earlier this season, will be playing his final game at Wembley, and will be hoping, along with all of Manchester United, to get revenge for his side's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona two years ago. Despite his horrific start to the season, Wayne Rooney is accepted to be back in top form, and is expected to deliver on Saturday. For Barcelona, Lionel Messi, who has had a phenomenal season scoring 52 goals in all competitions, will be expected to perform as well despite his recent drought in goals. Messi has not scored since his double against Real Madrid in the 1st leg of the Champion's League semi final.
Both Manchester United and Barcelona have won the Champion's league, or European Cup (its former name), 3 times, and will be looking to achieve that 4th title. This match is surely one of the most exciting this season in all of Europe, and is a must-see for any fan.
The match will be shown in the United States on Saturday May 28th, with coverage beginning at 2:00pm.
In the U.S, the match will be shown on FOX network.
PLAYER PROFILES- Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney had a spectacular season in Manchester United's 2009-2010 campaign, winning PFA player of the year and a handful of other awards, but had an awful end to the season, as well as beginning to the current season. After getting injured on March 30th 2010 in the Champion's League semi final against Bayern Munich, Rooney did not score a goal in open play until January 1st 2011. Many fans thought that Rooney was no longer the player he once was, but the proved everybody wrong as his form improved not only to what it once was, but arguably better. After his sensational bicycle kick winner in the 80th minute of the Manchester derby, all critics applauded Rooney and his return to form. He is expected to be Manchester United's star once again on Saturday, and will be hoping to outshine Barcelona's star Lionel Messi.
PLAYER PROFILES- Lionel Messi
Many thought that it would be impossible for Messi to repeat his performance last season. Messi, however, being the wizard that he is, not only managed to repeat it, but to surpass it, scoring 52 goals in all competitions. Messi is currently the 2nd highest scorer in all competitions ever with 52 goals, only behind rival Cristiano Ronaldo who managed to net 53 this season. Ronaldo's season is over, so Messi now has the chance to match Ronaldo's record and even surpass it with 2 goals in the Champion's League final. Messi scored a wonderful header against Manchester United 2 years ago, and will be looking to score and crown Barcelona champions once again. For the 3rd straight season, Messi is the top scorer in the Champion's league, but will be up against tough competition with Van der Sar in goal. In addition to the tough Manchester United defense, Lionel Messi has been on a goal drought, having not scored a goal since his double against Real Madrid on April 27th. Knowing Messi though, he is sure to give his best on the big occasion, and will certainly provide some Messi magic.
Messi is the best
ReplyDelete