Champions League Final 2009: Manchester United vs Barcelona.Wed 27th May. Rome.

[EC Unique]

Stevie G hopes we win

http://www.setanta.com//uk/Videos/football/2009/05/21/Gerrard-will-cheer-on-United-video/

Fair play Stevie 

[bingobus]

Uncle and cousin flew out today, another couple of lads I know also flew out this morning. Bit of a panic as it was reported that the authorities had decided to impose an alochol ban in the city. Very much doubt it will be enforced.

I hope they enjoy the trip but told them not to let the result get them down   

[full back]

Dont think it will be the classic that some say it will be
Utd will play it cagey & hit them on the break.

The Barca midfield is superior to Utd's so Utd will be more concerned about not giving them time & space to get quality ball into the Messi, Henry & Eto

[magpie seanie]

With the way my pulse rate has been during the last two CL finals involving United part of me is not looking forward to tomorrow evening. A lot has and will be said about it so I'm not going to go on. I'd be confident that if United play up to the level of last years final or the two legs of the semi v. Arsenal that they will do it. It will be bloody tight though and if chances are created they will have to be taken. That's been United's main failing this season. If they are clinical tomorrow night it could be the difference.

[Main Street]

The 2 best teams in the CL final. I´ll look forward to it.

There is nothing like a Barca team at their peak, for some scintillating football.

To read stuff here about Barca´s  rubbish defense is mind boggling  Last time both teams  played each other,  Man U were overly defensive  and won by a goal. The so called best team in the world from the so called best league, going out on the field of play  very cautiously against a team with a so called rubbish defense
not mention Chelsea´s negative gameplan

This time the pointers are that this game will be very different, it should be.
Barca are a  model perfection of an attacking team who go all out to win.
How any team can miss Iniesta, Henry as well as  defenders  Alves, Abidal and Marquez
and still be (slight) favourites is a wonder but because of those missing I think it is too close to call.
Iniesta  in particular will be missed most as his link up play with Messi is from another dimension.

[Minder]

The 2 best teams in the CL final. I´ll look forward to it.

There is nothing like a Barca team at their peak, for some scintillating football.

To read stuff here about Barca´s  rubbish defense is mind boggling  Last time both teams  played each other,  Man U were overly defensive  and won by a goal. The so called best team in the world from the so called best league, going out on the field of play  very cautiously against a team with a so called rubbish defense
not mention Chelsea´s negative gameplan

This time the pointers are that this game will be very different, it should be.
Barca are a  model perfection of an attacking team who go all out to win.
How any team can miss Iniesta, Henry as well as  defenders  Alves, Abidal and Marquez
and still be (slight) favourites is a wonder but because of those missing I think it is too close to call.
Iniesta  in particular will be missed most as his link up play with Messi is from another dimension.

Think they are both fit to play Main Street.

[Schkite]

On nearly all the betting sites there's nothing separating the two teams. On betfair Utd are very slight favourites, but generally there's nothing between them.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

I don't think we will win it easy but I hope we do. The nerves can't hack another handlin like 99. Barca won't be a push over so I would be happy with a wee 1-0 win. Who is offering the 20-1 for the 3-1 victory?

Ladbrokes...now offering 7/4 Barcelona and 13/8 MU.  BTW With Chelsea v Liverpool in mind...4-4 is 100/1!

[Minder]

Barcelona are 7/4 & United 13/8 with Ladbrokes (90 mins) Both are 5/6 to lift the trophy.

[Schkite]

Ah right, I was looking at odds checker and just seen there they didn't have the Ladbrokes odds up.

[supersub]

Uncle and cousin flew out today, another couple of lads I know also flew out this morning. Bit of a panic as it was reported that the authorities had decided to impose an alochol ban in the city. Very much doubt it will be enforced.

I hope they enjoy the trip but told them not to let the result get them down   

Aye they always try and enforce this but its only in the main streets of the city and mainly outside the pubs u cant drink. Experienced it myself, they usually are grand about serving inside as long as you stay inside! Friend flys over in the mornin, forked out a shed load for one ticket and flights, but hopefully it will be worth it for him! He was in Moscow last year and is still paying of the costs from that til now haha. Heard theres a tented village sort of place been set up about a mile outside the city centre with English catering etc to accomodate the utd fans and hopefully keep them all together inside it before/after the game, and also if they dont have a ticket!!

[magpie seanie]

I worked with a few Italians once and they said that they have loads of rules and laws - and they like it that way - its just that no-one really takes much heed of them!

[longball]

Heard on the Radio there that David Gill believes United will not sign Tevez as he is too expensive.

[magpie seanie]

Its really reassuring that someone with the proven knowledge of the game that David Gill has is making these decisions....

[EC Unique]

This is interesting on Paddy Power. 'The defending champions  7/1'  has to be value

ITV Commentary Cliché Hide Singles Only.
Win Only
90 mins Only.
Applies to the first of the listed clichés which is used by the ITV commentators during the match.
Exact phrase must be used.
Cliches only apply while the match is in progress.
Any cliché used before the match or at half-time will not count

Darren Fletcher  6/1
The greatest manager in the history of British football  16/1
At the end of the day  25/1

1999  7/1
United always score  16/1
Total football  25/1

The defending champions  7/1
End to end stuff  16/1
Hero of the night  25/1

That night in Barcelona  10/1
Fizzed just wide  16/1
Villain of the piece  25/1

Gladiators  12/1
There's danger here  16/1
Roman coliseum  28/1

100 goals  12/1
That night against Barcelona  20/1
A clumsy challenge by Scholes  33/1

What a goal!  14/1
He's gone down a little easily there  20/1
Off their perch  40/1

He'll be disappointed with that  14/1
Stuff of dreams  20/1
Balmy, balmy night  40/1

One of his stepovers  14/1
The best player in the world  20/1
Fergie's looking at his watch  50/1

Nervous moments  16/1
Emperor of Rome  20/1
There's Sir Bobby  66/1

He's missed it!  16/1
Squeaky bum time  20/1
Football, bloody hell  66/1

Two footballing giants  16/1
First to retain the trophy in the Champions League era  25/1
 
The neutrals final  16/1
He is human after all  25/1