European championship features match of titans
Alex Kozela
Issue date: 5/12/09 Section: Sports
It couldn't have turned out any better.
Arguably the two best teams in the world featuring arguably the two best players in the world vying for the title of European champion, who is thought to be the best team in the world.
Defending world champions Manchester United will face FC Barcelona on May 27 in Rome in a clash of heavyweights if there ever was one. Last year's FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Red Devils while 2008's runner-up for World Player of the Year Leo Messi leads Barcelona as the early favorite for the 2009 installment for best player in the world.
The game should be full of fireworks, as both teams are known for their offensive prowess. United as a glut of options at the striker position, with international superstars Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, and Carlos Tevez all available for selection, not to mention their mercurial winger, Ronaldo. Barca has much of the same, with Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o, and Messi leading the way for the Catalans.
Manchester United, who won their third European Championship last year by defeating Chelsea FC on penalty kicks, come in to the game after rolling past English rivals Arsenal 4-1 on aggregate. It turned out to be the most wide open of all of United's knockout round games after series with Inter Milan and FC Porto.
John O'Shea scored the lone goal in the first leg at home for the Red Devils, but United added to their advantage on the road with two quick goals from Park Ji-Sung and Ronaldo. They went on to win the game 3-1 and the series quite easily.
Barcelona has been on quite the roll as of late. They thrashed their biggest rivals, Real Madrid, on the road, 6-2, on May 2, giving them a sufficient seven point advantage at the top of the table. They have been dominating teams in the Champions League as well, defeating top teams such as Lyon and Bayern Munich with ease.
Barcelona seemed to meet their match in the semifinals, however, when they faced Chelsea in the semifinals. After drawing 0-0 at home, Barca was faced with a tough second half in London. The Blues scored first off a Michael Essien strike from 10 yards out. Due to the away goals rule, Barcelona only needed one goal on the road to advance.
It seemed all was lost until the third minute of stoppage time when Andres Iniesta scored a stunning equalizer. Several Chelsea players stormed referee Tom Ovrebo after the game, protesting that they should have been given a penalty due to many questionable calls made throughout the game.
Nevertheless, Barcelona will march on to Rome, and try to stop Manchester United from repeating once they get there. It may turn out to be quite a battle between Messi and Ronaldo, and whomever comes out on top will ,without a doubt, rightfully stand alone as the best player on the planet.
Arguably the two best teams in the world featuring arguably the two best players in the world vying for the title of European champion, who is thought to be the best team in the world.
Defending world champions Manchester United will face FC Barcelona on May 27 in Rome in a clash of heavyweights if there ever was one. Last year's FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Red Devils while 2008's runner-up for World Player of the Year Leo Messi leads Barcelona as the early favorite for the 2009 installment for best player in the world.
The game should be full of fireworks, as both teams are known for their offensive prowess. United as a glut of options at the striker position, with international superstars Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, and Carlos Tevez all available for selection, not to mention their mercurial winger, Ronaldo. Barca has much of the same, with Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o, and Messi leading the way for the Catalans.
Manchester United, who won their third European Championship last year by defeating Chelsea FC on penalty kicks, come in to the game after rolling past English rivals Arsenal 4-1 on aggregate. It turned out to be the most wide open of all of United's knockout round games after series with Inter Milan and FC Porto.
John O'Shea scored the lone goal in the first leg at home for the Red Devils, but United added to their advantage on the road with two quick goals from Park Ji-Sung and Ronaldo. They went on to win the game 3-1 and the series quite easily.
Barcelona has been on quite the roll as of late. They thrashed their biggest rivals, Real Madrid, on the road, 6-2, on May 2, giving them a sufficient seven point advantage at the top of the table. They have been dominating teams in the Champions League as well, defeating top teams such as Lyon and Bayern Munich with ease.
Barcelona seemed to meet their match in the semifinals, however, when they faced Chelsea in the semifinals. After drawing 0-0 at home, Barca was faced with a tough second half in London. The Blues scored first off a Michael Essien strike from 10 yards out. Due to the away goals rule, Barcelona only needed one goal on the road to advance.
It seemed all was lost until the third minute of stoppage time when Andres Iniesta scored a stunning equalizer. Several Chelsea players stormed referee Tom Ovrebo after the game, protesting that they should have been given a penalty due to many questionable calls made throughout the game.
Nevertheless, Barcelona will march on to Rome, and try to stop Manchester United from repeating once they get there. It may turn out to be quite a battle between Messi and Ronaldo, and whomever comes out on top will ,without a doubt, rightfully stand alone as the best player on the planet.