NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, after a one sided final in the UEFA Cup and a magical F.A. Cup Final, it's time for the last one.

The biggest of lot.

The Champions League Final 2006.

Arsenal are the underdogs. With a patchwork squad built of youngsters and new members, all built around arguably the worlds best player at the moment Thierry Henry, Arsenal made it this far with brilliant displays of attacking football (vs. Juventus at Highbury) as well as determined defending (vs. Villareal at El Madrigal). With the best defence in the Champions League they are tough to play against and can hit teams on the break within seconds.


Barcelona are for many the best team in the world. A combination of brilliant flair, immense technique and pace as well as arguably the worlds other greatest player, Ronaldinho. Beating AC Milan, Benfica and Chelsea, they have remained favourites throughout the season and remain so for the final.

So, who will win?

As an Arsenal man, I want the Gunners to win but I imagine we will do it like we did the Fa Cup win against Man United. Defend for our lives and hope Lehman pulls us through again. If both sides play to their full potential, we should see a real classic and with Arsenal the underdogs, they may feel free to play as they did against Real and Juve

I hope Arsenal will win, but if Barca are up for it, I can't see Arsenals young defence holding up...but I said that before they went to Juve and Real...

Well, again, I'll go with the Spanish favourites. Although I hope Lehmann becomes the ultimate über-keeper, I don't think Arsenal's quite got the goods. They haven't been that impressive in the Premier League either.

My Heart is says Arsenal and my head says Barca

My Heart is says Arsenal and my head says Barca

Me too. I hope Henry scores though. and no one gets injured. The FA cup final today became a zombie apocalypse as the game wore on. Iv never seen so many players shambling around.

I reckon Arsenal might pull off an upset.

Barcelona is gonna shaft the Arse 4-2.

last time i heard,ronaldinho was the world's best player.

National loyalty means that I'm going to be cheering for Arsenal, but I can't see Barcelona losing - they're a truly wonderful side to watch, Eto, Deco, Ronaldinho, Messi, Larsson, even Xavi (who will probably return for the final). I think Barcelona will win either 2-0 or 2-1. Arsenal will have to kiss their European clean-sheet run goodbye.

Barcelona, sadly. :(

As biased as I am, I just can't see Arsenal winning it.

Is Xabi fit? If so Arsenal lose, if not then they have a chance.

Is Xabi fit? If so Arsenal lose, if not then they have a chance.

Xavi? Nope, i thought he was out for the season with cruciate damage?

last time i heard,ronaldinho was the world's best player.

Depends, Henry and Gerrard on current form could be argued as being better, and Ronaldinho says Messi is better than he is...

Xavi? Nope, i thought he was out for the season with cruciate damage?

I think I remember him appearing in the last ten minutes of a recent La Liga match. (But I may be wrong as always.)

Edit. He played 60 mins against Espanyol on May 6th and the full game against Sevilla on May 13th according to soccernet.

Oh well, second place is much better than the Gunners hve managed previously.

Xavi makes a huge difference to Barca as he allows the creative midfield to do what they want. The same as Makelele dose for Chelsea.

I think I remember him appearing in the last ten minutes of a recent La Liga match. (But I may be wrong as always.)

It'll be great if he is back, i really like him as a player...but Barca have done well without him, so if he has returned I doubt they'll drop him straight into a champions league final. Then again...

EDIT: Me thinks you're right

http://barcelona.soccer24-7.com/general/5167

Le Bump...

48 hours and the winner shall be known...

i say arsenal cuz thierry henri is awesome but i don't actually follow football so i haven't a clue :p

i say arsenal cuz thierry henri is awesome but i don't actually follow football so i haven't a clue :p

always good to have an educated opinion ;)

Just saw on tv that Xavi has indeed recovered from his knee trouble and will play. Arsenal could get them on teh counter, but I wouldnt bet on it. I just hope they dont get battered, if they lose I'd rather it was like west ham in the FA cup.

Barcelona shouldn't have too much of a problem. But after last year who knows? Or even after the Gretna/Hearts final at the weekend. Nah ... it will still be Barca.

Just saw on tv that Xavi has indeed recovered from his knee trouble and will play. Arsenal could get them on teh counter, but I wouldnt bet on it. I just hope they dont get battered, if they lose I'd rather it was like west ham in the FA cup.

It's good to see he made the national team squad for the World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Santiago Canizares (Valencia)

Defenders: Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Asier Del Horno (Chelsea), Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis)

Midfielders: David Albelda (Valencia), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Joaquin Sanchez (Real Betis), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)

Strikers: Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), David Villa (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Luis Garcia (Liverpool).

I'm gonna say Arsenal, 1-0.

I think Manchester Rovers will win.

Arsenal will win it after Barcellona fails to score one of the dozens of chances they will get....Bergkamp wil come on the field, 5 minutes before the end, and score the winning goal with a magical touch!

Barcelona.

I would love to see another final like the F.A Cup final though-that was awesome. So I hope Arsenal are up for it.

Arsenal will win it after Barcellona fails to score one of the dozens of chances they will get....Bergkamp wil come on the field, 5 minutes before the end, and score the winning goal with a magical touch!

I'd love to see Bergkamp grab the winner, ideally with the score at 2-2.

Whatever happens, I bet Henry doesn't swap shirts at the end.

I'd love to see Bergkamp grab the winner, ideally with the score at 2-2.

Whatever happens, I bet Henry doesn't swap shirts at the end.

He doesn't need one, he already got one thrown at him at Villareal :D

Well i cautiously voted Barcelona but it'll be an interesting game which I'm intending on watching... (despite the 4am wakeup *yawn*)

As for who I want to win... I'm actually completely neutral i think... actaully no I think I want Barcelona to win a little... but if Arsenal wins I won't be fussed...

Barcelona, after someone trips over you-know-who in the penalty box.

barca, they're playing too well, while arsenal are hit and miss and were rubbish in their last game vs villareal

though if they play at their best, they will win

It's good to see he made the national team squad for the World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Santiago Canizares (Valencia)

Defenders: Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Asier Del Horno (Chelsea), Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis)

Midfielders: David Albelda (Valencia), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Joaquin Sanchez (Real Betis), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)

Strikers: Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), David Villa (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Luis Garcia (Liverpool).
Woo! I just hope he is actually played rather than just being sat on the bench for the whole tournament.

Woo! I just hope he is actually played rather than just being sat on the bench for the whole tournament.

Oh, he'll play alright.

Midfielders: David Albelda (Valencia), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Joaquin Sanchez (Real Betis), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)

I expect these four to be the starting midfield for Spain. Possibly dropping Albelda for Joaqin if they want a more attacking formation. The only truly creative midfielder there is Cesc.

Barcelona, after someone trips over you-know-who in the penalty box.
By trips you mean dive, and by in the penalty box you mean outside right?;)

If Barcelona win, I'll think I'll stay home from school tomorrow. :p

From a neutral perspective (mine is not), it has all the ingredients to be a real classic. The result may determine where Henry ends up.

I'm hoping for Barcelona, actually. They're a fun team to watch and on paper look better than Arsenal, but Arsenal actually has a defence and Barcelona has none to speak of. So I don't know.

By trips you mean dive, and by in the penalty box you mean outside right?;)

Brazilians don't dive ... they swim! :D

I'm hoping for Barcelona, actually. They're a fun team to watch and on paper look better than Arsenal, but Arsenal actually has a defence and Barcelona has none to speak of. So I don't know.

They're defence is very underrated in my opinion. Their centre backs are very good and the goalie isn't bad. They aren't world beaters, but they're defence relies on the team keeping the ball, passing it around and tiring teams out. If Arsenal can overcome that, then I think Arsenal will win it.

The Squads (line ups not yet announced):

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Almunia, Poom, Cole, Senderos, Toure, Clichy, Campbell, Eboue, Djourou, Flamini, Ljungberg, Pires, Gilberto, Hleb, Reyes, Fabregas, Song, Henry, Van Persie, Bergkamp.

Barcelona (from): Jorquera, Ruben, Valdes, Belletti, Edmilson, Marquez, Mora, Presas, Puyol, Rodri, Sylvinho, Van Bronckhorst, Deco, Gabri, Giuly, Iniesta, Motta, Ronaldinho, Van Bommel, Verdu, Hernandez, Eto'o, Ezquerro, Larsson, Lopez, Messi.

I've just guranteed that Arsenal will win.

Uefa cup thread: Voted Middlesbourough - Borough loose.
FA cup thread: Voted West Ham - Hammers loose
Champions league thread: Voted Barca - ?

I've just guranteed that Arsenal will win.

Uefa cup thread: Voted Middlesbourough - Borough loose.
FA cup thread: Voted West Ham - Hammers loose
Champions league thread: Voted Barca - ?

However I did this:

Uefa cup thread: Voted Middlesbourough - Borough loose.
FA cup thread: Voted West Ham - Hammers loose
Champions league thread: Voted Arsenal - ?

So we are back to square one.
(well I actually predicted all three in the Uefa cup thread, but it works out just the same.)

However I did this:

Uefa cup thread: Voted Middlesbourough - Borough loose.
FA cup thread: Voted West Ham - Hammers loose
Champions league thread: Voted Arsenal - ?

So we are back to square one.
(well I actually predicted all three in the Uefa cup thread, but it works out just the same.)
Ahh but did you also predicit that Man United would win the premiership and that Crewe Alexandra would not get relegated?

Well all I can say is I'm glad it didn't go to penalties...

Other than that...meh...

Ahh but did you also predicit that Man United would win the premiership and that Crewe Alexandra would not get relegated?

No, but I did get this one wrong, whereas you got it right.

(Being a long standing Chelsea fan (since the days of Osgood et al.), I am not going to predict Man U to win the premiership, am I now?)

This is the last post I make in this thread.

Hauge was an awful referee. Yes, Lehmann should've been sent off, or Barca's goal should have stood. That's fine. But he was far too card-happy towards Arsenal players and was far too reluctant to book Barca players, especially the defenders. It took 3 tackles each worthy of a yellow before Oleguer was booked, and Puyol and Marquez were kicking lumps out of Henry all night. They should both have been booked by half time - and do you want to bet they'd have defended the same way in the second half if they'd been forced to play against Henry knowing one mistimed tackle could have got them sent off?

Almunia had a blinder of a match (that save from Eto'o in the first half?) - he had very little chance with the first goal and the second was a perfect piece of attacking football that ended with a deflection into the net.

It seemed Ronaldinho went down like he'd been shot any time he was near the edge of Arsenal's box. Eto'o was largely anonymous apart from his goal and one shot in the first half. Our defence was magnificent, apart from Eboue who lost his man a few times. Henry was booked for being kicked after winning the ball.

Yes, he should have scored on about 70 minutes, Ljungberg could have done better when through, and Hleb wasted a couple of chances. But being a man down after 20 minutes then taking the lead, Arsenal did not deserve to lose. Barca didn't either, but nor did they deserve to win.

Edit: Cry bias all you want (I'll freely admit the above is as seen through a Gooner's eyes), but Arsenal with 11 men would have won that match comfortably.

I'll take most of that as read to be honest.

The ref was awful for both sides.

Henry should have had 2 goals.

Ronaldinho was anonymous.

Larsson changed the game.

Eto'o. One finish and that was it (but thats all you need as a striker).

Cesc was pretty good but got tired v. quickly as did Henry.

Oh well... :(

I'll take most of that as read to be honest.

The ref was awful for both sides.

Henry should have had 2 goals.

Ronaldinho was anonymous.

Larsson changed the game.

Eto'o. One finish and that was it (but thats all you need as a striker).

Cesc was pretty good but got tired v. quickly as did Henry.

Oh well... :(
Those are understatements. What was with that red card? Henry played well and Ronaldinho was more like Ronaldwho? because he did nothing but take bad shots. All and all I was happy with result and thought the ending was great.

Those are understatements. What was with that red card? Henry played well and Ronaldinho was more like Ronaldwho? because he did nothing but take bad shots. All and all I was happy with result and thought the ending was great.

Well the red card was either that or Lehman stayed on and a goal was given. The letter of the law is he was the last player and he committed a foul and was sent for it, but the ref could have used his discretion and allowed the goal.

It was one or the other and I won't criticise him for that particular decision.

It was all the other fouls, diving and players asking for cards to be shown that appalled me.

Henry should have had 2 goals.
At least.

Larsson changed the game.
Indeed. I was considering comparing it to the 2001 FA Cup Final when McAllister came on and set up two for Owen in the last ten minutes.

Cesc was pretty good but got tired v. quickly as did Henry.
Yeah. I think we should've brought Senderos on for Cesc, to play 5-3-1. More cover at the back, while still having Hleb, Ljungberg and Henry to play on the counter-attack.

:(
Doesn't begin to sum up how I'm feeling.

Barca!!!!



Made £30!!


Drinks on me. ;)

Phew! I thought the game was thrilling, at least the last thirty minutes or so (I unfortunately missed the first half :( ). Seeing Barcelona come back to win the game after being down for so long...wow. I didn't think Ronaldhino was as silent as people made him out to be- a player doesn't have to score to make a difference- but Henrik Larsson was the difference. That and Victor Valdes- Kellarly, I have to say you were right- Barcelona's defence isn't that bad after all, although I still don't think it's a top-notch outfit. The offence kind of sputtered until the final moments or so, but they eventually found their groove and wound up winning the game, wearing down the worn Arsenal defence.

As for the rest of the game- I caught the highlights. I'm a bit iffy on the Jens Lehman red card though: I don't think he was going after Samuel Eto'o Fils but the ball was far from Eto'o, so I don't know. I also take my hats off to the Arsenal defence- that was astounding. Everyone said it, but the game *would* have been different 11 on 11.

Oh well. Looks like Ronaldhino may be right- if Barcelona wins, it'll be a dynasty, and what a joy that'll be. :)

Well, I was fifteen minutes away from getting it right with my score prediction.


I think the referee was somewhat less than perfect but Henry really let himself down with his immediate post-match comments. He was as much to blame for the defeat as anything else.

Ultimately, the best team in Europe at present won the final.

Henry played pretty well, forced some gaves and did not hit the last chance to well. The ref should not have been allowed to take that medal, give it to someone deserving like someone who cared about football. I would be a little paranoid if I had made a great tackle, promptly been kicked and was booked for my trouble.

As for the red card, Barca scored anyway, advantage was more Barca if 1-0 up with 11 men. Instead they had to try and get through a wall of ten players. Whoever picked the ref should be sacked. Poor Lehman, poor Pires not even twenty minutes on the pitch.

Barca where the better side for most of the match(then again playing against ten men...) and deserved to win it. I can not say that they are the better football side though, just that they can beat ten men.

Henry played pretty well, forced some gaves and did not hit the last chance to well. The ref should not have been allowed to take that medal, give it to someone deserving like someone who cared about football. I would be a little paranoid if I had made a great tackle, promptly been kicked and was booked for my trouble.

As for the red card, Barca scored anyway, advantage was more Barca if 1-0 up with 11 men. Instead they had to try and get through a wall of ten players. Whoever picked the ref should be sacked. Poor Lehman, poor Pires not even twenty minutes on the pitch.

Barca where the better side for most of the match(then again playing against ten men...) and deserved to win it. I can not say that they are the better football side though, just that they can beat ten men.

I don't get why Wenger took out Robert Pires- he's too valuable to Arsenal. I also wonder why Arsenal didn't attack the ball in the dying minutes- they seemed content to let Barcelona play keep away. If I were them I would have went for it- yeah, it may create an easy Barcelona chance at the other end if it didn't work, but if it did, then it would have been a whole new game. They were also pretty tired, yes, but I wondered if Arsenal just gave up.

I don't get why Wenger took out Robert Pires- he's too valuable to Arsenal. I also wonder why Arsenal didn't attack the ball in the dying minutes- they seemed content to let Barcelona play keep away. If I were them I would have went for it- yeah, it may create an easy Barcelona chance at the other end if it didn't work, but if it did, then it would have been a whole new game. They were also pretty tired, yes, but I wondered if Arsenal just gave up.

To quote Wenger on the 2-0 win over Juve "You know it is a good day when Robert makes a tackle." We have enough of a attacking threat, needed our defenders and so Pires made way for Almunia, who played quite well.

As for not attacking the ball, demlorised, exhuasted and facing one of the best keep ball sides in the world.

In semi-related news, Henry has pledged his future to Arsenal and will shortly begin talks concerning a four-year contract! :D

That'll stop those Henry - Ronaldinho related nightmares.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=368351&cc=3436

I'll take most of that as read to be honest.

The ref was awful for both sides.

Henry should have had 2 goals.

Ronaldinho was anonymous.

Larsson changed the game.

Eto'o. One finish and that was it (but thats all you need as a striker).

Cesc was pretty good but got tired v. quickly as did Henry.

Oh well... :(
I'd have sex with Larson if i was a chick!
Brilliant Celtic player!

To quote Wenger on the 2-0 win over Juve "You know it is a good day when Robert makes a tackle." We have enough of a attacking threat, needed our defenders and so Pires made way for Almunia, who played quite well.

As for not attacking the ball, demlorised, exhuasted and facing one of the best keep ball sides in the world.

1) Point taken on Pires- it was, after all, still 0-0 at the time.

2) Exhausted I can see. Demoralized? No excuse for that. They're playing in the biggest game of their lives so I'd think they'd at least make some kind of effort, even if it was futile. Yes, going down 2-1 in just four minutes is pretty depressing, but part of the role of the professional athlete is to bounce back from reverses and convert the miscues into positives. Perhaps the biggest question is why Arsene Wenger didn't bring someone on who could have been that game-breaker- obviously, if everyone was tired he needed to make a substitution. It's not like Arsenal went down 2-1 in the 91st minute- they still had a lot of time left, and they should have went for it somehow some way.

2) Battling hard and being exhuasted then conceding two in five minutes with only a few minutes of the game to play is going to demorlise anyone. Could they continue to chase with what little left they had in the tank?

Two subs already made but who to come on? The Ice Man is no great tackler, same with Van Persie and another defender is hardly what we needed

It's not like Arsenal went down 2-1 in the 91st minute- they still had a lot of time left, and they should have went for it somehow some way.


The sheer physical exhaustion was the problem as well as playing against Barca who's main line of defence is keeping the ball and making their opponents run.

Henry said after the match that he didn't have the strength in his legs to power his best chance away because he was already so fatigued from playing on his own upfront with only 10 men.

As soon as the 2nd went in it was over. Arsenal simply didn't have enough left in the tank to bring about a come back.

Yeah I agree. defending is more tiring than attacking, especially with 10 men. Wenger really should have sent someone on earlier though, like Reyes or someone. Anyone with fresh legs to do a bit of running and give the rest a breather. Barca would probably have still won though. And Larsson was excellent.

I would have loved to see that game 11 against 11 though. maybe next year.

2) Battling hard and being exhuasted then conceding two in five minutes with only a few minutes of the game to play is going to demorlise anyone. Could they continue to chase with what little left they had in the tank?

Two subs already made but who to come on? The Ice Man is no great tackler, same with Van Persie and another defender is hardly what we needed
I thought Arsene should have sent on Senderos for Fabregas, instead of Flamini. 3 central defenders would have eased the pressure in defence, as well as forcing Barca out wide more. It would also have provided more cover for Eboue and Cole, who were exposed for the first and second goals respectively.

Was Senderos fit enough? Flamini is a ball of energy and he can play in midfield to harras the supply lines or drop back to help the defence, in the flanks or in the centre, where Senderos only plays one position and may not be that fit

Was Senderos fit enough? Flamini is a ball of energy and he can play in midfield to harras the supply lines or drop back to help the defence, in the flanks or in the centre, where Senderos only plays one position and may not be that fit
He was fit enough to make the bench, and he'd only have been playing 20 minutes. We didn't need a midfielder, we needed a defender.

I would be inclined to play a midfielder myself and bring on a defender in the last ten minutes. Cut off the supply lines but at least Falmini can sit back to make it 5-3-1 if needed