Barcelona vs. Manchester United Champions League Preview

By: Laurie | April 23rd, 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo. Wayne Rooney. Carlos Tevez. Thierry Henry. Samuel Eto’o. Lionel Messi. And perhaps even Bojan Krkic.

Any one of these names can strike fear into the heart of defenders. And there’s a chance that we may see all of them today.

Barcelona is all that stands in the way of an all-EPL Champions League final. (In my mind that’s reason enough to root for them, but maybe that’s just me.) Unfortunately, though, they’re not having their best season this year. They recently dropped to third place in La Liga, behind both Real Madrid and Villareal. Just based on current form, it’s hard to believe that this is the side that won it all in Europe just two years ago.

And yet they’re still kicking in Champions League 2008.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are smokin’ in the EPL, with strong form that’s led to a three-point lead over Chelsea and a seven-point lead over Arsenal. I’m not reading a lot of previews that don’t expect them to advance to the Champions League finals after dispatching this Barcelona side. But these things are never hard science.

If Barcelona are to have a chance, they’re going to have to shut down the ManU attack, especially the golden boot of Cristiano Ronaldo. It can be done, but it’s going to take some defensive effort. It won’t help that Barcelona will be missing defender Carlos Puyol due to suspension.

Barcelona will also be missing Ronaldinho due to injury, but he hasn’t been much of a factor recently anyway.

ManU has a few injury problems of their own, with Owen Hargreaves and Anderson both questionable, and Edwin van der Sar and Wayne Rooney coming back from injury but probably able to play.

If you’re into statistics in the vein of, “Well, if you look at it this way, this team will win, but on the other hand, if you look at it that way…” be sure to check out this Goal.com article, which gives you interesting little factoids like this:

Something will certainly have to give because Barcelona’s home form has been flawless in this season’s Champions League campaign – played five, won five, scored ten, conceded one – while the Premier League leaders are unbeaten away in Europe this season, with three victories and two draws.

Daryl will be liveblogging the game here.

And for more detailed info on the game, be sure to check out our Champions League Offside blog.