Champions League Final

The clash of two mighty English teams, Manchester United and Chelsea in the Finals is a sight to behold. Although surprisingly the England national team didn’t qualify for Euro 2008, their domestic league is still one of the best in the world. The money involved in the league is really out of this world and the football skills displayed are equally amazing.

In the finals, Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson once again displayed his arrays of tactics by deploying Cristiano Ronaldo on the left flank to counter Michael Essien’s playing at right back. Essien is essentially a central midfielder and with his lack of defensive awareness, his position is one to be explored. The next tactic was to employ Owen Hargreaves at the right side to prevent Ashley Cole from roaming forward and to protect Wes Brown on the right side. Hargreaves is a superb player who could play in many positions and his adaptability is just amazing.

Chelsea’s Avram Grant is still employing his usual tactic to have a strong central midfield to push the team forward. Seeing Ronaldo on the left side did not seem to bother him at all and it prove costly as Ronaldo headed in a goal in the first half with Essien close by doing nothing to challenge his glorious rise to score. But still Chelsea is still a team filled with plentiful of talent. The midfield battle is evenly matched but Chelsea was many a times outclassed in the flanks. Goalkeeper Petr Cech was simply too good. His many heroics save Chelsea from time to time and in the end of the first half, Frank Lampard managed to slot in the ball courtesy of a deflection off Vidic and Ferdinand.

The game went into extra time and more drama unfolds. Didier Drogba overcame with frustration slapped Vidic, his nemesis. The red card was flashed and off goes Drogba to the shower room in what could be his last game in a blue shirt. The penalty was nerve-wrecking for both set of supporters. Of all people, Ronaldo’s, Man U’s regular penalty taker, shot was saved by Cech. His usual tactic of stopping once did not fool Cech as he stood his ground and wait for him to shoot a lame shot. I guess Chelsea’s fans were really glad about this miss and their excitement was erupting. So when John Terry walked towards the penalty area for his turn, their fan’s hearts must be in their mouth. For the first time in Chelsea history, Terry, the captain could be in the honors rolls for firing the team into history books.

The rain continued to beat, the cold winds in Moscow howled, John Terry probably never took notice of them and as he run off to kick the ball. He probably regretted his carelessness of not perceiving his environment with assiduousness. The grass gave way and his foots slid a few centimeters off course. The ball flew and hit the post. Oh gosh
Chelsea’s advantage had disintergrated.

When Ryan Giggs, breaking the club’s records for most appearance, scored it was down to Anelka, Chelsea’s latest recruit to break evens.The experienced goalkeeper, Van der Sar saw his shot coming and leapt out a flying save to secure Man U’s third European glory.