CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL PRE-MATCH | POSSIBLE FC BARCELONA STARTING 11 AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED.

The build up is strong locally as the Football World eagerly anticipates the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL at Wembley (London) tomorrow between MANCHESTER UNITED & FC BARCELONA. Listening to the commentaries today one gets the idea that most see Barça as clear favourites, although the English Club comes into the Final on a wave of good form. The Spanish Club on the other hand goes in with Pedro & Villa below maximum form & even Lionel Messi playing less than his usual habitual level. Said this,  one one doubts that the mentioned players will be more the likely in the FC BARCELONA starting 11 along with the names being unanimously given by most local media observers:

Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal (Mascherano), Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Iniesta, Villa, Messi & Pedro.  

Rooney - Messi : Stars of Man Utd & FC Barcelona 

The only doubt in the mind of Barça Coach Guardiola is if Abidal starts or not. If not, Puyol would take the left back position & Mascherano would play alongside Pique in the central defensive position.

In reference to Manchester United, Spain is "far away" from the local media experts & we are receiving the following ideas on how United Coach Ferguson could start tomorrow. According to the London based press, Manchester has two models to chose from & apparently Ferguson has not shown as yet his cards. There is a more "midfield packed" - conservative version of 5 midfielders to stop the Barça play-making & ball control style, or there is the "attacking model" with Chicharito upfront with Rooney playing in a forward supportive role while utilizing  their counter-attacking strengths & speed with the dangerous Valencia down the wing.

Either way, Manchester United look great on paper, have looked excellent during the final stretch of the Premier League & will be respected by Barcelona. It´s going to be a grand final & a game not to be missed.

From here, best of luck to both sides & may the better team win.

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Alonso : Many Bad Decision Have Been Made Against Us!

Xabi Alonso has declared that match officials robbed them of victory at Champions League opponents Barcelona last night.

The second-leg finished 1-1, allowing Barca to progress to the final 3-1 on aggregate.

However the game could have proved more difficult if a Gonzalo Higuain strike early in the second half had not been controversially ruled out.

“When we scored the first goal it would have been totally different and we feel so many bad decisions have been made against us and we are not happy about that,” Xabi said.

“We think we did a good job but decisions went against us, we really feel that way.”

The former Liverpool midfielder claimed that Higuain’s disallowed goal would have altered the nature of the tie in Madrid’s favour as the game was still deadlocked at 0-0 at the time.

“It would have changed everything, our position would have been much stronger and after that it was much more difficult,” he said.

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Juan Agudelo Spectacular Volley Against DC United – Video

New York Red Bulls striker Juan Agudelo scored a spectacular volley in stoppage time against DC United.

The 18 year old USA international striker controls a low cross before smashing it pass the DC United goalkeeper.

Its definitely one of the most beautiful goals scored in the MLS and it is a clear indication that the talented youngster will be one of the players to watch in the future.

However it will be up to the New York Red Bulls to keep hold of the striker.

Check it out.

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Thierry Henry Double Against DC United – Video

Thierry Henry helped himself to a double as the New York Red Bulls moved top of the MLS Western Conference with a 4-0 win at DC United.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker, who scored his first goal for the club against San Jose last weekend, opened the scoring in the 12th minute and then doubled his side’s lead seven minutes before the interval.

Further goals from Joel Lindpere and substitute Juan Agudelo put a seal on the win as United pushed numbers forward in search of a lifeline.

Agudelo’s goal, an improvised flick and volley in the one motion, would have impressed team-mate Henry, given its resemblence of his famous strike against Manchester United in his Arsenal heyday.

Match Highlights

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Ancelotti Wants Fernando Torres To Score Against Birmingham City

Carlo Ancelotti insists has declared that he is not fazed by the current form trough of £50million striker Fernando Torres.

The Spanish international striker has failed to score since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Liverpool at the end of January and his plight has been well-documented.

However the Chelsea manager says that the form of one player is not his focus ahead of tomorrow night’s home clash with Birmingham City.

The former AC Milan boss told Sky Sports News : “I’m not worried about this,”.

“I hope tomorrow (he will score) but my thoughts right now are to put out the best team, to play good football and to win the game.

“He played nine minutes (against West Brom) and he showed character, I liked it. He scored but it was offside.

“He will score. He can score if he plays (against Birmingham). But it doesn’t matter if Fernando or another scores.”

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Ronaldinho Penalty Kick Miss Against Macae – Video

Ronaldinho blasted a penalty over the bar with the last kick of the game in a 1-1 draw with Macae on Sunday to leave Flamengo with a tough Carioca championship semi-final against arch-rivals Fluminense.

Had the former Barcelona ace, who has yet to impress since returning home from AC Milan in January, converted the penalty in the fourth minute of added time Flamengo would have avoided the Brazilian champions.

“I kicked it badly and the ball rose. That’s how it is. At the right time, I’ll get goals,” Ronaldinho told reporters.

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Chelsea’s Disallowed Penalty Against Manchester United – Video

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson felt no guilt when the referee failed to award Chelsea a penalty, saying this team had waited years to “get a decision” at Stamford Bridge.

The incident came as the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday moved into stoppage time with United holding a 1-0 lead.

United defender Patrice Evra appeared to hook his leg around Chelsea midfielder Ramires but Spanish referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco waved play on and the Manchester club will take a 1-0 lead into the second leg next week.

Evra Foul On Ramires

Torres Penalty Claim

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Wayne Rooney Appeals Against Two Match Ban

Reports are out claiming that Wayne Rooney has appealed the FA charge over his F-word rant at West Ham United.

Although the Manchester United striker has accepted the FA charge lodged against his for the foul-mouthed rant into a TV camera at Upton Park on Saturday, he has appealed against the two-match ban that is supposed to accompany it.

The 25 year old England international striker will learn the ruling before tonight’s clash at Chelsea.

“Manchester United player Wayne Rooney has today admitted a charge for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language,” said an FA statement.

“However, Rooney has submitted a claim that the automatic penalty of two games is clearly excessive. A commission will hear the submission tomorrow.

“The charge relates to an incident during his side’s fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 2 April 2011.”

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Santos president advises Neymar against England move

Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro de Oliveira has warned Neymar against a move to England.



Chelsea failed with a bid to sign Neymar, 19, from Santos last summer but retain an interest in the player.



Neymar has said it would be his "dream" to play for the London club and, after his impressive performance in Brazil's 2-0 win over Scotland at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Sunday, said: "The stadium is great; the pitch is, too. The weather I don't like all that much, but I could get used to it."



Oliveira, though, feels Neymar would struggle to play his natural game if he moved to a Premier League club.



"Playing in England is not the same as playing at [Santos' stadium] Vila Belmiro," he told ESPN. "It is much worse, because of the climate and the style of football, which he is unaccustomed to.



"We have demonstrated that, as he has developed into a player who represents the best of Brazilian football - being audacious, skillful, effective, attacking - he is going to become a key figure in the history of Brazilian football.



"He is going to gain international recognition, and maybe get chosen as the best player in the world, playing in Brazil. This is something that hasn't happened since Pele's day, and he has a golden chance."



Neymar has stressed that he has no plans to force a move from Santos in the near future.



"I am happy there and, when the time comes, God will make me take the right decision and things will happen," he said.



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Excellent Skill By Nani Against Chile – Video

Excellent Skill By Nani Against Chile – Video[ 0 ] March 28, 2011 [Translate]

Manchester United winger Nani produced this excellent skill during the international friendly match between Portugal and Chile in Leiria.

The former Sporting Lisbon star just flew down the flank passing by defenders like they were never there.

Check it out.

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Friedel : There Is No Revolt Against Gerard Houllier

Brad Friedel has played down talks of a player revolt against manager Gerard Houllier.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper and other members of the squad were reported to be unhappy at new rules allegedly brought in by Houllier, including the banning of mobile phones in the dressing room.

However the USA goalkeeper is adamant this is not the case and also claims the vast majority of rules set out for the players to adhere to have been in force for many years.

The American said: “There has been a set of rules here for as long as I have been at the club as there is at every club and probably most, if not all, work environments.

“The suggestion that I am in revolt – or any player is in revolt – over new rules is laughable.

“There are no new rules of any substance that I am aware of and the vast majority of what is in the rule book was agreed years ago.”

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Zenit to investigate accusations of racism against Roberto Carlos

Zenit St Petersburg are to investigate a racist incident targeting former Brazil full-back Roberto Carlos before their home league game against Anzhi Makhachkala.



Local newspapers published a picture of a fan offering a banana to Anzhi captain Roberto Carlos at St Petersburg's Petrovsky stadium before Monday's match which Zenit won 2-0.



“In regards to a published photo of a man making an unethical act towards Anzhi captain Roberto Carlos, Zenit officially state that the club together with the police will investigate this matter,” Zenit said on their website (www.fc-zenit.ru).



Roberto Carlos himself made light of the incident.



“I didn't get offended,” the 2002 World Cup winner who joined Anzhi from Brazilian club Corinthians last month. “In my 37 years I've seen it all so I didn't get upset after seeing a banana.”



The Russian FA said it was also investigating the incident.



If found guilty, Zenit could be fined, forced to play home games behind closed doors or have points deducted.




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Mourinho : Ronaldo Will Play Against Tottenham

Jose Mourinho is highly confident that Cristiano Ronaldo will make Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Tottenham.

The Portuguese international is currently struggling with a hamstring injury.

Mourinho said: “I think he can play against Tottenham, we do not have a game this weekend and that will allow him to recover. I believe he will not play against Sporting, we do not want to risk anything because I want him to be good for the Champions League match.

“We hope and we want him to be strong against Tottenham.”

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Stuart Holden Injury Against Manchester United – Video

Stuart Holden Injury Against Manchester United – Video[ 0 ] March 20, 2011 [Translate]

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans sent-off for a shocking tackle on Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden 14 minutes from time.

The 25 year old USA international had to be carried off the pitch for medical attention.

Holden only recently return to action from a broken leg.

Check it out.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Aggravates Leg Muscle Injury Against Atletico Madrid – Video

Bad news for all Real Madrid fans as it has been confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo has aggravated a leg muscle injury in Saturday’s 2-1 win over city rivals Atletico.

The former Manchester United star, who was substituted with around 20 minutes left of the match at the Calderon, will have tests to determine the seriousness of the problem, Real said on their website.

Ronaldo picked up the injury in the club’s 7-0 drubbing of Malaga on March 3.

It was not clear whether he will be able to join the Portugal squad for the friendly internationals against Chile and Finland later this month.

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Mario Balotelli Red Card Against Dynamo Kiev – Video

Ten-man Manchester City’s brave effort to reach the Europa League quarter-finals failed after a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Dynamo Kiev with striker Mario Balotelli cast in the role as villain.

Balotelli left his team-mates to battle on for almost an hour without him after he was sent off for planting his studs into Goran Popov’s chest and thigh.

Having suffered an allergic reaction to the grass in Kiev, Balotelli was restored to the City starting line-up, with Mancini doubtless expecting a more meaningful contribution.

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Ronaldinho Excellent Ball Control Against Fluminese – Video

World football icon, Ronaldinho has once again showed the world a glimpse of his unlimited talent.

The former Barcelona and AC Milan star traps a high ball with effortless bit of skill against local rivals Fluminese.

Ronaldinho once again proved that he is not a washed up player and that he still has much more to offer even at the age of 30.

This excellent skill is definitely worth watching again and again. Check it out.

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Lionel Messi Disallowed Freekick Against Sevilla – Video

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi had the ball in the net from a free-kick on six minutes.

However the match referee ruled off the goal claiming midfielder Sergio Busquets had fouled Alexis off the ball.

Lionel Messi was later at the centre of a huge injury scare as Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Sevilla side in La Liga.

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Eric Abidal Incredible Header Clearance Against Sevilla – Video

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal performed an incredible header/tackle in the match against Sevilla.

The French international defender literally put his head on the line while fighting for the ball with a Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo.

The left back has been putting in some impressive performances recently and has been forced to play at centre back in place of the injured Carles Puyol.

And the defender’s latest heroic act is worthy to be called the best play of the day.

The match however ended in a 1-1 draw.

Check it out.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Red Card Against Bari – Video

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off in their 1-1 draw with Bari.

The former Barcelona striker was shown the red card for a reaction foul when the Rossoneri were losing 1-0 at San Siro.

Ibrahimovic had a nightmare game, seeing a goal disallowed for his handling offence and then sent off for a reaction dig in the ribs.

AC Milan boss Max Allegri was clearly disappointed with the striker and said : “Unfortunately he reacted. Zlatan was calm during the week and wanted to get back to scoring from open play. He moved well, but he mustn’t get so irritable if he hasn’t scored in a month.”

The Swedish striker will now miss next week’s trip to Palermo.

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