Post by rurourin on May 26, 2011 4:15:09 GMT 1
Although I support Manchester United thoroughly, I still have a worrisome feeling against Barcelona. How do we beat Barcelona?
Everyone was waxing lyrical on this Barcelona team led by Pep Guardiola, so much so that it is pretty annoying listening about it and reading about it.
Football they say is a beautiful game, but in the heat of the moment it is more logical to take the game by the scruff of the neck to the opposition and make it more physical. But one thing is for certain: We cannot allow Barcelona to dictate the way we play. We will be slaughtered if we do that. So I went through some websites on seeing how Barcelona play to understand their preferences, their possible weaknesses we could take advantage of.
I was impressed by two such pages in those websites for the stats they had given. I'll put them below:
www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/may/25/manchester-united-barcelona-champions-league
www.stretford-end.com/blog/2011/05/barcelona-vs-manchester-united-do-barca-have-a-weakness/
Johnathan Wilson from the Guardian gave a pretty good article explaining to us the origins of the Total Football concept started by Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff among others. That with further modifications has made it more complete if that can be said. Barcelona became more defensive in a sense when they take a lead by passing the ball around till the end.
The same was seen in the final at Rome in 2009. For the first 10 minutes United were the better side until Eto'o scored. They were made to look ordinary being unable to get the ball. Some of the players went out of position which allowed Messi's goal to happen. This must not happen on Saturday.
For us to win we need to play with no fear. Thankfully this is more possible than it was last time. The whole team is much more united and has no doubts that it had when they conceded in Rome. The team is thriving with Rooney relishing his playmaker/striker role. Messi has a 'false 9' role in his squad but Rooney has a 'false 10'- a striker turned provider.
United also need to break the opposition from the word GO. That requires that it needs fast players to tear apart the defense. Barcelona is a team that plays a high defensive line which must taken advantage of. Also it is a team that hates being without the ball for some time. This would unfortunately mean that Berbatov and possibly Nani would not start in favour of Hernandez and Valencia. That is the least of our concerns in the game.
We need a superb performance from our Central Midfieldersto ensure that the Barca plan is thwarted. I do not know who would play. I'm taking Carrick and Giggs since they took that role in the Chelsea and Schalke games and did it admirably. Carrick must play the game of his life for us to have a chance. I can't see Fletcher coming on due to his illness which he just recovered. If he does play..WOW what a recovery !!
If you could check the links given please do. The stretford-end page gave a systematic analysis of the key players, how they conceded etc.
Finally all I have to say is Counter-Attack!! We have been good at that usually and must utilise our strengths and minimize our weaknesses.
Let us have our vengeance come day after tomorrow and let us shut up the doubters and haters!!
Glory Glory Manchester United!!
Everyone was waxing lyrical on this Barcelona team led by Pep Guardiola, so much so that it is pretty annoying listening about it and reading about it.
Football they say is a beautiful game, but in the heat of the moment it is more logical to take the game by the scruff of the neck to the opposition and make it more physical. But one thing is for certain: We cannot allow Barcelona to dictate the way we play. We will be slaughtered if we do that. So I went through some websites on seeing how Barcelona play to understand their preferences, their possible weaknesses we could take advantage of.
I was impressed by two such pages in those websites for the stats they had given. I'll put them below:
www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/may/25/manchester-united-barcelona-champions-league
www.stretford-end.com/blog/2011/05/barcelona-vs-manchester-united-do-barca-have-a-weakness/
Johnathan Wilson from the Guardian gave a pretty good article explaining to us the origins of the Total Football concept started by Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff among others. That with further modifications has made it more complete if that can be said. Barcelona became more defensive in a sense when they take a lead by passing the ball around till the end.
The same was seen in the final at Rome in 2009. For the first 10 minutes United were the better side until Eto'o scored. They were made to look ordinary being unable to get the ball. Some of the players went out of position which allowed Messi's goal to happen. This must not happen on Saturday.
For us to win we need to play with no fear. Thankfully this is more possible than it was last time. The whole team is much more united and has no doubts that it had when they conceded in Rome. The team is thriving with Rooney relishing his playmaker/striker role. Messi has a 'false 9' role in his squad but Rooney has a 'false 10'- a striker turned provider.
United also need to break the opposition from the word GO. That requires that it needs fast players to tear apart the defense. Barcelona is a team that plays a high defensive line which must taken advantage of. Also it is a team that hates being without the ball for some time. This would unfortunately mean that Berbatov and possibly Nani would not start in favour of Hernandez and Valencia. That is the least of our concerns in the game.
We need a superb performance from our Central Midfieldersto ensure that the Barca plan is thwarted. I do not know who would play. I'm taking Carrick and Giggs since they took that role in the Chelsea and Schalke games and did it admirably. Carrick must play the game of his life for us to have a chance. I can't see Fletcher coming on due to his illness which he just recovered. If he does play..WOW what a recovery !!
If you could check the links given please do. The stretford-end page gave a systematic analysis of the key players, how they conceded etc.
Finally all I have to say is Counter-Attack!! We have been good at that usually and must utilise our strengths and minimize our weaknesses.
Let us have our vengeance come day after tomorrow and let us shut up the doubters and haters!!
Glory Glory Manchester United!!