It's a shame this game isn't the final, but at least we get to see these teams match up twice.
On form you'd bet on United, but one look at Barca's forward five is enough to keep your money in your pocket. Eto'o, Messi, Henry, Xavi and Iniesta - not many weaknesses there. Oh and on the bench new wunderkind Bojan. ManU may be the better unit, but Barca have the better individuals. Barca don't have the strongest defence, but in the past few games Utd's has hardly been rock solid. ManU have the advantage of playing the second leg at home, but Barca will be resting players at the weekend while the Mancs will be battling against Chelsea. So like Clinton and Obama, it's pretty even.
Ironically, Barca's best tactic could ultimately help United. Barca have to go on the offensive, and hope that by doing so they regain a bit of self belief and unity. If they do, any opponent is going to suffer. But if their attack is disjointed and unconvincing, as it has been over the few past months, they could leave themselves open to the counter, Utd's strength.
There's an argument that of all the teams Man Utd deserve to be in the final, as they've played the best soccer this year. But Barca going through would mean a final without two teams from the same country. I think Barca might sneak it. Utd have looked a bit shaky over the past couple of weeks, especially against Arsenal. Messi will frighten the crap out of them, Henry will see the Utd shirts and remember that he's a top player, and Utd will fuck it up at the semi-final stage again. Perhaps.
Check back for an update, later in the day.
If the airport check-in was anything to go by, then the players most eager to be back in Barcelona were those present on Manchester United's last adventure in the city, on a certain heady spring evening in May 1999. There'a a nice little graphic on this page...
Time for United to come of age, says Ferguson
Few players are as essential to the football that is produced by their team as the Barcelona midfielder, writes old friend Guillem Balague
Xavi Hernandez holds true to the finer arts and crafts
How would Pele have fared against Zidane had they shared the same turf? Maradona against Puskas? Di Stefano against Cruyff? Eternal questions that hang unanswerable in the football imagination
Ronaldo v Messi: Gifted duo who share a path
As usual, David Pleat has spent the night busy working on his tactic table:
Work-rate may be the key
And across the street Don Howe's is also on display. Will he disagree with arch-nemesis Pleat?
business as usual
Sir Alex Ferguson owes a debt of gratitute to Hristo Stoitchkov and Romario, Barcelona's superstars of the Nineties
Battering in Barcelona that shaped United overhaul
Barcelona stalwart Rafael Márquez has hit out at the club's medical services, stating that they have long since failed in their duty of care to the players
Márquez Slams Barcelona Doctors
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